EN
The article presents the basic principles that govern the philosophy of various nurseries facilities in San Miniato, Italy. In this small Tuscan town, early-learning has become a common task for the whole community, with each and every child being regarded as an individual rich in potential. As well as the residents and citizens, local authorities are also making an effort to surround the children and their parents with a caring environment, an approach that is indicative of the kind of good practice inherent in the San Miniato early education model. Currently, a network of nine crèches is being operated within the municipality, with the principles behind these models becoming more and more popular in Europe and further afield. About 48% of children aged 0-3 years are attending different types of pre-school institutions. The nurseries in San Miniato care about the subjectivity and individuality of each child. All classes and methods are adapted to the capabilities, needs and interests of the individual children, with teachers acting as facilitators and mentors, encouraging and connecting with parents. They partner with educators and support each other in all activities. In addition, participation is encouraged from local entrepreneurs, which means that in these small communities, the vast majority of the population is actively involved in one way or another with the institutions.