News
News, events and updates from the Honey Monsters kindergartens.
Adventures in Wonderland delighted our children
Our Honey Monsters thoroughly enjoyed the Raatikko Dance Theatre performance Adventures in Wonderland. The colours, creativity and skill on stage made it a memorable outing for everyone. Thank you, Raatikko!
Thank you for visiting us at the SyysMatti market
We took part in the SyysMatti autumn market around the cathedral hill in Espoo Centre on 19–20 September. At our stand on the Lagstad field we sold locally produced honey and baked goods, with all proceeds going to our kindergarten. The atmosphere was lovely and we had plenty of visitors, and a few rain showers didn't slow anyone down. Thank you to everyone who shopped and stopped by for a chat!
A sports day full of energy
Our sports day was a blast! The Honey Monsters children showed their energy and strength in every activity. Bravo to all our little athletes!
Honey Monsters turns 33
Happy birthday, Honey Monsters! We are celebrating 33 years of little smiles, big dreams and unforgettable memories. Thank you to all the children, families and staff who have been part of the journey.
Happy summer to everyone!
The Honey Monsters children and teachers wish everyone a happy summer. See you again in August!
Center Play: learning through hands-on play
At Honey Monsters, we believe children learn best through hands-on experiences, creativity and meaningful play. That is why Center Play is an important part of our daily learning environment. Children explore learning areas such as art, building, reading, science, dramatic play, sensory activities and fine motor skills. Each center is carefully designed to encourage curiosity, independence and active learning in a fun and engaging way.
Open house at our Keski-Espoo kindergarten on 24 May
Our Keski-Espoo kindergarten held an open house on Sunday 24 May from 10.30 to 13.30 at Kaivomestarinkatu 8. Visitors could get to know our language immersion kindergarten, browse the toy flea market and enjoy coffee and treats, with proceeds going to the kindergarten. At 11 and 13, a circus artist gave a hula hoop show followed by a workshop for anyone who wanted to join.
Places now open to families with a broad language background
Honey Monsters now also welcomes families where English is one of the home languages, as long as the child speaks Finnish and can take part in a Finnish-speaking peer group. This applies to both of our kindergartens.
Read moreFollow our events on Facebook
Open days and other upcoming events can be added to the news list by linking directly to the Facebook event. For now, you can find our latest events on the Honey Monsters Facebook page.
Read moreTalkoot day taught teamwork
Our Honey Monsters talkoot day was not only fun but also a great learning experience. By cleaning up the surroundings together, the children practised teamwork, responsibility and respect for their environment. It was wonderful to see them learn by doing. After the work, everyone enjoyed sausages and juice together.
Olari festival and open house on 26 April
We joined the Olarin lystit festival on Sunday 26 April and held an open house at our Olari kindergarten at the same time. Visitors could take a look inside our language immersion kindergarten, and there was fun programme for the children. It was also a chance to hear what everyday life is like in our parent-owned kindergarten.
Easter egg hunt and games
The Easter bunny made a special appearance on 2 April and hid eggs in the classrooms, and all our little bunnies and chicks did a wonderful job finding them. Our Easter celebration had four activities: an egg hunt, musical statues, Easter crafts and lava projector games. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed jelly beans and mämmi.
Our visit to the EMMA museum
We visited EMMA, the Espoo Museum of Modern Art, where the children explored a wide variety of artwork. The highlight was a workshop for children, where everyone created their own artwork, experimented with different materials and learned new techniques. The friendly and encouraging guide made the workshop both fun and educational. It was an inspiring and memorable visit.
Meet Perpetua
Perpetua is one of the warm-hearted and skilled teachers at Honey Monsters. She teaches the Beginners group at our Olari kindergarten and has been part of our community for 20 years. Watch the video to see what makes Perpetua such a beloved educator.
Our teachers performed the Kalevala
Our teachers performed a Kalevala show for the children about the forging of the Sampo. The children watched and listened very well. It was a wonderful way to learn about Finnish culture and storytelling.
Friendship carries us: Valentine's Day at Honey Monsters
February was all about friendship. The month started with paper plate heart weaving, which builds concentration, fine motor skills and hand–eye coordination. On 6 February, our Beginners Juniors group celebrated Friendship Day with a name and ball game, a friendship song, a photobooth, a freeze dance disco and a video story about kindness. At our Valentine's party, the children decorated cookies, played musical chairs, made friendship bracelets and drew pictures, before sharing popcorn, cookies and juice. Friendship is part of our everyday life all year round: every new child gets their own Special Friend, an older buddy who helps them settle in and makes kindergarten days safe and fun.
Juniors on the ice
Our Juniors took to the ice in January, proving that chilly weather is the perfect backdrop for building confidence. Finnish early education values outdoor movement, and ice skating is part of PE whenever snow and ice allow. Our little skaters made great progress in balance, gliding, braking and agility, and learned to move safely among their peers. The highlight was a cone slalom, followed by a listening game and joyful free skating in the crisp air. We had another skating day on 27 February.
Building a snow wall together
With the temperature at -10°C, the Honey Monsters headed outdoors to build a snow wall. We share the Finnish belief that there is no such thing as bad weather: nature is an essential learning environment whatever the temperature. The children learned how to dress in layers, a skill that builds independence. Cutting ice chunks and pulling snow on sleds, they practised communication, dividing tasks, helping each other and discovering how snow and ice behave. During free play, they even watched a squirrel leap from tree to tree.
January theme: well-being
In January, we focused on well-being. We talked with the children about healthy food and the benefits of a balanced diet, and they tasted different kinds of fruit. We also discussed personal hygiene, such as washing hands, brushing teeth, bathing, brushing hair and changing clothes. Finally, we explained how good sleep and regular exercise help our bodies grow and keep us energetic.
Theatre magic at Glims & Gloms
At the start of the year, we took our Juniors and Preschoolers to see Glims & Gloms. The Juniors listened with focus and stayed immersed in the performance from start to finish. The Preschoolers impressed us with their deep understanding of the story, even during the more complex monologues. A special mention goes to the production Kissani yhdeksän elämää (My Cat's Nine Lives), which was as thought-provoking as it was playful.
Preschoolers take the bilingual class entrance test
It was an exciting day for our preschoolers as they took the entrance test for bilingual school classes. We wished them the very best of luck! Last year, more than 90% of our preschoolers who applied for a bilingual class were offered a place. Our kindergarten gives children a strong foundation in language and learning that supports their move to school. Our pedagogy makes sure every child gets individual support and the chance to shine with their own strengths.
The Pikkuiset group for 2-year-olds started in Keski-Espoo in August 2025
A new group for 2-year-olds started at our Keski-Espoo kindergarten. The group is called Pikkuiset and its working language is Finnish. Once a child turns 3, their language immersion journey (Early Total Immersion) begins in English. New 2-year-olds can join the group as places become available.
Honey Monsters featured on the Mothers in Business blog
We are delighted and proud that Honey Monsters has been featured on the Mothers in Business blog! The article (in Finnish) describes how a kindergarten run by a parents' association can be a warm, community-minded and flexible option that truly takes each child's needs into account.
Read moreApply for a place, enter our prize draw and win a month's fee for free
Apply for a place at the Honey Monsters English language immersion kindergarten starting in August 2025 and you will be entered into a prize draw. The winner's own share of the monthly fee for July 2026 will be free.
Honey Monsters Keski-Espoo: Open day on Sunday 18 May 2025
Honey Monsters is holding an open day as part of the Espoo Centre family festival on 18 May 2025 from 10:00 to 14:00 (Kaivomestarinkatu 8). Come and visit us to see what everyday life at our kindergarten is like!
Honey Monsters Olari: Open day on 27 April 2025
Honey Monsters is holding an open day as part of the Olari festival on 27 April 2025 from 10:00 to 14:00 (Avaruuskatu 1 E). Come and visit us to see what everyday life at our kindergarten is like!
Family music evening (for children under school age)
Wednesday 26 March, 18:00–19:00, Yhteistötalo (formerly Me-talo), Terveyskuja 2 B, Espoo. Welcome to a children's music evening where we sing lively children's songs in both Finnish and English.
Helsingin Sanomat: Small private kindergartens are under financial pressure
Espoo's small kindergartens are struggling financially alongside the large chains. The service voucher model does not appeal to all private providers.
Our Tuomarila kindergarten moved closer to Espoo Centre
Honey Monsters Tuomarila moved to new premises in Kirkkojärvi, Espoo Centre, in April 2024. Our new address is Kaivomestarinkatu 8.
Applications for autumn 2025 are open
Secure your child's place in good time! Places are opening up at both of our kindergartens for children starting in August.
Länsiväylä visited our kindergarten
A pre-primary teacher who moved from Greece fell in love with an Espoo kindergarten – "This matches my ethics"
Read moreNo staff shortage at Honey Monsters as it turns 30
One of the oldest English language immersion kindergartens in Finland is celebrating its 30th birthday this autumn. Founded in 1993, Honey Monsters ry is a rarity among Espoo kindergartens by many measures.
Espoo Early Childhood Education featured Honey Monsters on Facebook
"Did you know that you can also choose a private early childhood education place for your child?" Espoo Early Childhood Education highlighted Honey Monsters in a Facebook post.
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