The teacher reaches every child
We keep group sizes low. Your child is called by name all day long and never gets lost in a crowd.
Dikmen · Çankaya · Ankara
We learn by playing and grow with love
Zeytin Taneleri is a preschool in Çankaya, Ankara for children aged 24 to 72 months. The day is spent playing, singing and out in the garden, and by the evening you know exactly how it went.
- Play group led by a play therapist
- Three meals a day, cooked here
- A photo update every evening
At a glance
The six things parents ask first
Before the long version, here are the answers we give most often on the phone.
24-72 monthsFour age groups, from playgroup to school readiness.
Full and half dayHalf day 08:00-13:00, full day until 18:00.
3 meals a dayCooked in our own kitchen, on a dietitian-approved menu.
Qualified teachersPreschool graduates with valid first-aid certificates.
A big garden450 m² outdoors, olive trees and a mud kitchen.
Specialist classesEnglish, music, drama, gymnastics. All included, at no extra fee.
Why Zeytin Taneleri
Every child is known by name here
We work with small groups rather than crowded classes. Our teachers know what each child loves, what upsets them, and how they walked in this morning.
We learn through play
We follow the Turkish Ministry of Education preschool framework, but we build its outcomes inside play rather than at a desk. The child thinks they are playing. We know they are learning.
You hear about the day, every day
Every evening you receive what your child ate, how long they slept and what they worked on, with photos. You should not have to wonder.
A childhood spent in the garden
We have olive trees, a vegetable bed and a mud kitchen. Twice a year the children harvest what they planted themselves.
Age Groups
Four groups, by age
Our group names come from the growth stages of an olive tree. Each group has its own teacher, its own room and its own daily rhythm.
2-3 years
Fidan · Sapling
First separation, first friendship. A gentle start built around toilet training, self-care habits and secure attachment.
- Gradual settling-in programme
- Sensory and tactile activities
- Nap and rest time
3-4 years
Filiz · Sprout
The year language takes off. We practise talking, waiting for a turn, sharing, and doing things for ourselves.
- Turkish language activities
- Orff music and rhythm
- First group games
4-5 years
Dal · Branch
Curiosity at its peak. We answer “why” with an experiment and let projects run over several weeks.
- Science and nature experiments
- Project-based learning
- English five days a week
5-6 years
Tane · Olive
The school-readiness year. But we do not rush to desks: attention, fine motor skills and self-regulation come first.
- Pre-literacy and pre-numeracy
- Maths and logic games
- Guidance for the move to primary
Play Group
A play group for two-year-olds
Led by a play therapist
If full-time nursery still feels early, the play group is a gentle first step. Two days a week, two hours each. We practise separating from a parent, waiting for a turn and being part of a group, without ever pushing.
We learn by playing and grow with love.
- Play groups are running now
- 2 days a week, 2 hours each
- Development-focused activities
- Story circle
- Social skills
Groups are limited to 5 children.
Ask about the play groupA Day Here
From 08:00 in the morning to 18:00
Children feel safe in a day they can predict. Our rhythm is the same every day; what happens inside it is different every day.
- 08:0008:00WelcomeGreeted at the door by their teacher, then free play.
- 08:4508:45BreakfastA warm breakfast cooked here, and setting the table together.
- 09:3009:30Morning circleThe plan for the day, the weather, feelings cards and songs.
- 10:0010:00Main activityLanguage, maths, science or project work.
- 11:1511:15Garden timeAt least one hour outdoors, in any weather.
- 12:3012:30LunchA dietitian-approved menu, and clearing your own plate.
- 13:3013:30RestThose who sleep, sleep. Those who do not rest quietly with a book.
- 15:0015:00WorkshopThe workshop of the day: music, drama, ceramics or gymnastics.
- 16:3016:30Snack and free playFruit, a light snack and play the child chooses.
- 17:3017:30GoodbyeA summary of the day, the parent update, and goodbyes.
Workshops
A different workshop every day of the week
Workshops are run by specialist teachers and carry no extra fee. They are all part of the programme.
EnglishThrough songs and games
Orff musicRhythm and percussion
DramaRole play and stories
GymnasticsBalance and movement
Ceramics and clayShape it, fire it
Visual artsPaint, scissors, imagination
ChessFirst moves
Garden and naturePlant, grow, harvest
YogaBreathing and stretching
Cooking workshopLittle chefs at work
Logic gamesPuzzles and strategy
Library hourA book every day
News
News from the school
Enrolment dates, events and notes for parents are posted here.
The late enrolment offer is still running
Families who enrol before the end of the month keep the current price list. Places for the new term are limited.
Play group places are still open
Our play group is led by a play therapist and is open to children aged two and over. Call us to ask about places.
Our opening hours
We are open weekdays from 08:00 to 18:00. To visit the school, just call ahead for an appointment.
Trust
The things you hesitate to ask, answered first
5children per play groupPlay groups are capped at five, so the teacher can work with each child one to one.
3meals a dayBreakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack, all cooked in our own kitchen.
24-72monthsFour age groups, from the playgroup to the school-readiness year.
- All our teachers hold a degree in preschool education and a valid first-aid certificate.
- Menus are prepared monthly by a child-nutrition dietitian, and an allergy file is kept for every child.
- Verified pick-up at the door: only people named in writing by the parent may collect a child.
- Earthquake and fire evacuation plans are rehearsed with drills every year.
Photos
Take a look around our school
Our classrooms, workshop corners and garden. Tap a photo to enlarge it, then use the arrows to see them all.
Enrolment open
Enrol this month, keep the current prices
Places for the new term are limited. Families who enrol before the end of the month keep the current price list, and the new tariff applies after that.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions our parents ask most
What ages do you accept?
We enrol children from the age of two up to the six-year-old group starting primary school. Fidan is 2-3, Filiz 3-4, Dal 4-5 and Tane 5-6.
What are your opening hours?
We are open Monday to Friday, 08:00-18:00. Half-day (08:00-13:00) and full-day options are both available.
Can we have a trial day?
Yes. Before enrolling you can spend a morning here with your child. Trial days are free and arranged by appointment.
How does settling in work?
The first week is gradual: one hour with a parent on day one, then a little longer each day. We never leave a crying child at the door. The child sets the pace.
Is the food cooked at the school?
Yes, freshly each day in our own kitchen. The monthly menu is approved by a dietitian and shared with parents. Children with allergies or special diets get a separate menu.
Do you offer a school bus?
No, we do not run a school bus at the moment. Parents drop off in the morning and collect in the afternoon. We are inside Dikmen, so most nearby neighbourhoods are a short walk or a few minutes by car.
Are there cameras?
Shared areas are covered by 24/7 recording. Footage is stored under Turkish data-protection law (KVKK) and can be reviewed with school management at a parent’s request.
What happens if my child gets ill?
If there is fever, a rash or any sign of infection we call you immediately and keep the child comfortable in our sick room. A child with a fever should not stay at school, for their sake and the group’s.
When does enrolment open?
Enrolment for the new school year opens each March, and we take children during the year if places remain.
Can you tell me about fees?
Fees depend on the age group and whether you choose a full or half day. Call us for the current price list, or come and visit.
Contact
Come over for a cup of tea
Choosing a preschool from a website is hard. You need to walk in, breathe the place and hear what the children sound like. Book a visit and we will have breakfast ready.
- AddressGökkuşağı Mah. 1200. Sok. No: 12/C, Dikmen, Çankaya/Ankara
- Phone0850 303 56 01
- Opening hoursWeekdays 08:00-18:00
- WhatsAppMessage on WhatsApp
- Instagram@zeytintanelerianaokulu
Getting here
Where our families come from
We are in Gökkuşağı Mahallesi, in the Dikmen area of Çankaya. Families come to us from the neighbourhoods and districts below, most of them dropping off on their way to work.
Dikmen neighbourhoods
- Gökkuşağı
- Akpınar
- İlkadım
- İlker
- Karapınar
- Keklik Pınarı
- Malazgirt
- Metin Akkuş
- Mürsel Uluç
- Naci Çakır
- Osman Temiz
Nearby districts
- Öveçler
- Yıldızevler
- Çiğdem
- Yıldız
- Oran
- Ayrancı
- Turan Güneş
- Seyranbağları
- Balgat
- Çukurambar
- Kırkkonaklar
- Emek
If your area is not on the list, call us anyway and we will work out the easiest route with you.