Smart Work 2027: Coffee, Conversation and Development – a Veo Pedagogy Café for the Whole Staff
The Smart Work page presents everyday innovations and success stories developed by the employees of the City of Hämeenlinna.
The idea began four years ago, when the early childhood special education teachers at the centre considered how to bring special needs pedagogical consultation to support the whole staff in an inspiring way that would also boost wellbeing at work. At the same time, there was a need to strengthen a sense of community and share effective practices within the work community. This led to the creation of the Veo Pedagogy Café concept within the structures of Liivuori Early Education Centre.
The cafés have been held once a month since 2022. They are open to the whole staff. A preparatory task and a list of participants are sent out at the start of each term. The content and introduction are planned together with the centre’s early childhood special education teacher, the Kieku teacher, and the management, in line with the centre’s shared development themes. The final content of each café session takes shape through the participants’ discussion and shared reflection.
This has become a permanent structure that has remained in place even as managers and early childhood special education teachers have changed. The idea won an award at the Culture Carnival in spring 2024, where we turned it into a concept that can be used across different units. The consultative support of the early childhood special education teacher takes place as part of the shared discussion, giving space to every employee’s perspective. A diverse, equal development environment genuinely strengthens professionalism.
Other units have come to observe this good practice, and similar cafés are now being held at other centres as well. Through this development work, a communal library/reading corner has been created at Liivuori. The Pedagogy Cafés continue as a communal, multi-professional forum for developing expertise. The discussion always centres on the child or group of children, and the strengths and needs that arise from them.
Developers
Taija Peltomaa, early childhood special education teacher, Liivuori Early Education Centre
Sirpa Harju, early childhood special education teacher, Liivuori Early Education Centre