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About ICEC

The ICEC is committed to providing the best early years care and education to children under the age of seven.

The International Childcare and Education Centre (ICEC) was started in 1989 under its original name of International Playschool by Sharon and Mikko Auri. Sharon Auri is an Early Years Educator from England with social work experience, as well as working in early years in a multicultural environment. Sharon's dream was to have a multicultural creative learning environment for children 1 - 7 years of age, and this was before creative learning became the new norm. As the company developed a decision was taken to both form a limited company and to change the name of our centre. The decision to change our name was made to clearly define the nature of our centres, and to better align ourselves with the changes in early years education being made in both England and Finland

The ICEC developed over the years from a small part time group of 21 children to eight centres and 400 children. It was a measured development over 30 years, with Sharon and the management team making sure each centre was developed and running efficiantly before a new centre was started. Each new centre had (and has) experienced ICEC teachers and staff to help with the important process of setting up and implementing our philosophy, curriculum, schedules and routines.

It became apparant that although it was great to have teachers and families from around the world, a cohesive and shared vision was essential to give the children a coherent and professional curriculum. This curriculum and shared philosophy was to underpin the creative and multicultural part of our philosophy.

In late 2019 the decision was made to transfer the ownership of the ICEC to Pilke Päiväkodit Oy (Pilke Daycare). This was done with the complete understanding that the unique approach to early years education within the ICEC is not going to change and so we are looking forward to a fruitful working relationship with Pilke daycare as we move into the next decade.

Why choose The I.C.E.C?

  • We are, in every way, a multicultural centre
  • We are environmentally aware
  • We have a creative learning curriculum; we make learning a joy for your child
  • We have excellent teacher training programs
  • We have a forest school
  • We are animal friendly
  • We are flexible
  • We have many parent's events
  • We are older and wiser

Read more about how we do it and get to know our daycares.