Tallinn closes 35 kindergarten groups as child numbers fall

Thirty-five groups will close in Tallinn’s municipal kindergartens from September 1 as the number of children declines, ERR reported. Extensive roadworks are also expected to cause traffic congestion during the first days of the new school year.

Deputy Mayor Andrei Kante said the number of children has fallen most sharply in the Lasnamäe and Mustamäe districts.

“This is no longer a problem for transition kindergartens. It is a concern across Tallinn. In the city centre and Pirita, however, the situation is rather the opposite, and we are working to create additional places,” Kante said.

The number of pupils is also declining in Tallinn’s municipal schools. Compared with last year, fewer children are moving on to the next level of schooling. Some 3,600 children will start first grade.

Kante said the number of places at the gymnasium level appeared to be declining to some extent with the arrival of state schools, but the actual situation would become clear on September 10 after the education obligation reform takes effect. The city would then assess whether more places needed to be opened next year, he said.

Deputy Mayor Joel Jesse warned that ongoing roadworks would probably lead to congestion in early September and urged people to plan their routes.

The most difficult location remains the Hipodrome intersection, where work will continue for another year. The intersection is expected to return to two lanes in each direction by the end of August, but larger traffic jams are still likely, Jesse said.

Roadworks on Raua Street near Tallinn Secondary School No. 21 were still under way on Thursday but are expected to be completed before the school year begins. Road and utility works on nearby Kreutzwaldi Street will continue until October 10.

Construction on Peterburi Road will continue until November 18, when it is expected to reopen to traffic. The Pae intersection is due to reopen at the end of September. Work on Suur-Sõjamäe Road will continue until 2028, while construction on Sõle Street is about 80 percent complete but is still ongoing.