Childcare
The International School of Tallinn (IST) provides flexible, hourly-based childcare for children aged 1.5 to 6 years. This service is available on all working days, excluding school holidays, from 8:00 to 18:00 at Valukoja 9, Tallinn.
Children attending the childcare program engage in a variety of educational and playful activities designed to support their cognitive and social development. The working languages are English and Estonian, fostering bilingual growth in a nurturing environment.
Outdoor play is an integral part of the daily routine, with children taken outdoors twice a day—in the morning and afternoon.
Daily schedule:
8:00 – 9:00 arrival, free play
9:00 – 11:20 morning circle, morning learning activities, and play time
11:20 – 11:50 lunch
11:50 – 12:30 outdoor activities and free play
12:30 – 14:05 afternoon activities and play (option to have a nap)
14:05 – 14:45 a structured indoor activity
14:45 – 15:15 afternoon snack
15:15 – 16:15 outdoor play time (weather permitting)
16:15 – 18:00 playful activities indoors
Clothing and Essentials
Parents are kindly requested to ensure their child has weather-appropriate outdoor clothing, as activities continue even during light rain. For convenience, the school provides drying cabinets to handle wet clothing.
To ensure children are comfortable and well-prepared, parents are asked to provide: Indoor shoes, a spare set of clothes (including underpants, t-shirt, pantyhose/pants, socks, and jumper), and a water bottle.
Meals
Children are provided with lunch and afternoon snacks during the day. The menu is available here. The cost of meals is included in the service fee.
Alternatively, children may bring their own food from home if preferred. Additionally, a short snack break takes place between 10:00 and 10:15, where children can enjoy healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables brought from home.
Pricelist
Valid from 01.01.2023
Price for first 2 hours: € 10 per hour
Price after first 2 hours: € 5 per hour
Lunch is included in the service price.
Afternoon snack is included in the service price.
Children brought to childcare participate in learning and playful activities. The working languages are English and Estonian.
Pre-registration is required to use the childcare service. You can register until 7:45 on the same day. Unfortunately, we cannot accept children without prior registration. To check the availability of free places and to reserve a place, click here.
Registration can be cancelled the same day in the morning until 7:30 by email or via phone.
Additional information: childcare@ist.ee, +372 5066080.
Feedback from parents
Why did you use the IST childcare service?
I am mostly at home with my 2-year-old child, but occasionally there’s a need to become more actively involved in work life. Hence, it was necessary to find a place where my child could be taken care of for a few hours. The childcare service near my workplace offered the most convenient option for this. I could attend the necessary meetings at work while my child was well looked after.
Please share your family’s experience using the IST childcare service.
Our experience with the IST childcare service was entirely positive, from the welcoming morning reception to the planned activities throughout the day.
How did you like the booking system?
The booking system was convenient and logical. I didn’t encounter any problems with booking on the computer, but on mobile, there were a couple of unintuitive aspects that I provided feedback on earlier (selecting the child’s birthdate and the childcare time).
What impressed you?
The kind morning reception, the warmth and attention of the teachers towards the child.
How did your child like our building and playground?
Our child particularly enjoyed crafting and making sand moulds.
What sets our childcare apart from others?
The ideal location, the clear focus on assisting working parents, the flexibility, and the accommodating childcare staff.
Can you name a memorable activity or learning experience that your child had with us?
Crafting superhero masks and capes.
Would you recommend the IST childcare to parents in the Ülemiste campus community? If yes, what would you highlight as our strengths?
I highly recommend IST childcare to the Ülemiste community. It’s a well-thought-out family-friendly service that helps in fitting work and family life together, especially during challenging moments.