International Preschool / Toddler Playgroup in Istanbul

Atolye Preschool, Istanbul:
Atölye Preschool in Istanbul was opened in 2003. Atölye's mission is to provide an environment that integrates discovery and learning. Children are between ages 2 and 5. The preschool is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach to early childhood education and focuses on the child's interests and curiosity as the basis of the curriculum.

Preschool for children are between ages 2 and 5. Full day and half-day programs with both English and Turkish classes offered. There is also a toddler playgroup for the 0-2 age group held on Saturdays between 10:00-12:00.

Our Approach

Ready to learn and develop since the very first day of their arrival among us, our children are naturally creative, willing to learn and curious. They try in their own way, -playing- to get to know about life and how to live it. Children are capable of learning under every circumstance. Yet, there are as well some milieux that can even back the process up more by offering many more and appropriate stimuli.

Basics of our understanding of education is rooted in the ‘Reggio Emilia Approach’ that has flourished in the early nineties and which, according to research on early infant education, has been approved to be the most appropriate supportive approach concerning child development.

According to our consideration of education, the child, the parents, the teacher and the environment are the four essentials of the chain of education. No matter the infant or the grown up, we are all inclined to learn only what we are interested in and curious about; thus each child brings about his or her own personal interests and needs. The chain of education starts with the child as the decisive factor of the process.

What the teachers are expected to put in is intimate, tender and supportive a relation with the child in order for a better understanding of their personal diversities and to guide them through their education by listening and understanding them the best. Teachers should provide children with guidance by sharing and motivating their interests and enthusiasm and assuring the longevity of the required support.

Achievement of the optimal plans for our precious children can only be possible through effective parent-teacher-environment relationship based on mutual understanding, support and information exchange. Early infancy is when children are the most overt to reception that is fundamental in their future characters. Our mission in being a school, is to reinforce all four essentials of the chain of education.