Tosarby Daycare Center Case Study

Polylino is a service which is currently used in several countries across Europe. In Sweden, the service is called Polyglutt. The Swedish team met up with Alexandra Andersson who is the Director of Tosarby Daycare Center in Sund on Åland- a nursery that use the Polyglutt service in their setting. Here is what Alexandra had to say.

Polyglutt is part of the everyday life of many preschools on Åland, and we asked Alexandra, who works at Tosarby daycare center, a few questions.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
My name is Alexandra Andersson and I have worked in childcare on Åland for about 17 years. I am now director since 2018 at Tosarby daycare center in Sund on Åland. I have read myself since I was 5 years old and love books. I have a great interest in fairy tales and like to implement new technology that includes and facilitates everyday life, which made it easy for me when the educators were interested in Polyglutt to get hooked. We are a daycare center with 3 wards and room for 52 children with educators and children who enjoy reading and are interested in fairy tales.

Alexandra Andersson

How long have you used Polyglutt and why?
We had Polyglutt on trial last year and have now had it for about a month. We think it complements the reading aloud in our business well and especially now in 2019/2020 when we have fairy tale themes throughout the house and are trying to develop our digital skills. The children who can already read get a larger selection of titles to choose from. Polyglutt is a tool that can quickly search for books and we can also read together in other languages.

How do you use Polyglutt?
In the department for the smallest children (0-3 years), we use Polyglutt at story times and in the collection. In the larger groups (3-7 years), Polyglutt is used both in smaller groups and in full children's groups. It is used in gatherings and as a temporary occupation while waiting for something else or as a main activity. We show the pictures/book on full screen via a projector so that everyone can see the pictures. When we go to the forest, we will also listen to fairy tales in the forest. Polyglutt is also easy for the children to use themselves.

What is the biggest benefit of having access to the service?
That you can quickly access books digitally and can look them up in the service. Fairy tales become more accessible. Great variety of book genres and the possibility to access the books in another language.

What do the children think?
The children enjoy flipping through the books and being able to flip through them themselves on the tablet. They are curious and motivated to use technology, so this service is well suited for them to choose and read themselves. It increases participation that the children can actively choose the story themselves. They are fascinated to have the book "on the wall" and follow the story with great interest. We feel that they like to show which books they have at home and which are their favorite books. They recognize many books because we have them at daycare or precisely because they have them at home.

Are there any favorite books in the children's group?

Favorite books are very individual, but many of the older children like Blueberry Patrol.

Thank you Alexandra for giving us an insight into your business!