International Small Hands Academy

We think being a parent is one of life’s biggest privileges and biggest responsibilities; and, so we are here to be our parent’s biggest partner on the journey.

As the saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child.” In this century, especially in big cities, it can be challenging to raise children with the sense of freedom, nature and community that villages once had and which we believe grow empathetic, confident and independent children who have the necessary skills to adapt in an ever-changing world. Beyond being a place for your child to have an international education, we want to be “the village” for you and your child(ren).

International Small Hands Academy and Utopya Primary and Secondary Schools are a second home, an extended family and a genuine, encouraging community for our children and their families. We are a place where children create magical childhood memories while gaining the skills, knowledge and aptitudes to be confident, capable and independent people in an unknown world that requires constant adaptability now more than ever before. We are a space where children grow freely, happily and courageously so they are ready for the challenges that come their way today and in the unknown future of tomorrow.

International Small Hands Academy was established in 1996 by Leman Çetin, an educator/a researcher who wasn't happy with her daughter’s preschool experience, and who wanted to give her son a better education.

Small Hands offers High Quality Early Childhood Education in Istanbul, Turkey with part time and full time options Monday through Friday.

We believe:

• Safety comes first (physical, emotional, mental, social).
• All children should have the right to an enjoyable childhood.
• Holistic teaching to promote physical, emotional, relational, spiritual and intellectual development of our children.
• Acting now! Effectively and efficiently, in even the most volatile and uncertain times.