Curriculum
Teaching built on a foundation
Ciara's teaching is based on the curriculum “Dance Education”, approved by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research. The teaching is caring and systematic: a child grows from play to technique and from technique to the stage, in keeping with their age and development. The joy of dance grows alongside skill.
Approach
How we teach
Every class is built around six principles. They keep the balance between technique and joy, and put the child's development first.
Discovery before performance
A child explores movement with curiosity. Mistakes are a natural part of learning and inform the next step.
Each child at their own pace
The difficulty of exercises adapts to each child's and group's needs. There is room for different levels within one class.
Joy in movement
Dancing is a pleasure. Technique develops through play, moments of success and interest — not through force.
Safety is the foundation
Physical and emotional safety creates room to grow. A child knows they are welcome and cared for.
Working with the family
The parent is a partner on the child's journey. Open communication and a shared view support the child best.
Every child belongs here
Classes are built so that different levels, needs and joining times fit into one room.
Syllabi
Level by level
Study is divided into two parts: the early years and the core programme. Each part has its own syllabi, whose content deepens with the group each school year.
Dance technique is woven through every syllabus
- General physical skills
- Jumps
- Turns
- Floor technique
- Acrobatics
- Improvisation
Early years
ages 2–7Dance gymnastics for toddlers
ages 2–3- Rhythmics
- creative dance
- singing games and body percussion
27 h a year
Dance gymnastics | GROUPS 1 and 2
ages 4–6- Dance gymnastics
- children's dance
- creative dance
54 h a year
Children's dance | GROUPS 1 and 2
ages 4–6- Children's dance
- gymnastics
- creative dance
- basics of ballet
81 h a year
Core programme
grades 1–9Level I (A, E, K)
grades 1–4- Children's dance
- jazz
- basics of ballet
- acrobatics
108 h a year
Levels II and III
grades 4–9- Show dances
- jazz
- classical ballet
- contemporary dance
- acrobatics
126 h a year
Dance technique
Technique begins in the early years
In the 2024/2025 season a separate early-years dance-technique syllabus was created for 2–7-year-olds. Technique is integrated into the class, not a separate subject. The 6–7-year-olds' children's-dance group has an additional dance-technique class each week.
General physical skills
Body alignment, positions and basic technique.
Jumps
From simple jumps to combined ones.
Turns
Balance, change of direction and pirouette preparation.
Floor technique
Safe rolls and smooth transitions.
Acrobatics
From basic elements to headstands and cartwheels.
Improvisation
Body and spatial awareness, music, free movement.
Organisation
Duration and admission
- Curriculum volume
- 1820 hours
- Typical length
- 16 years
- School year
- 35 weeks, September–June
- Early years
- up to 5 years
- Core programme
- Levels I–III, grades 1–9
You can join the early years at any time. In the core programme, admission auditions are held twice a year — in August or September and in January.
Assessment
At the end of the school year there is an assessment in three parts. A result of 90–100% is excellent, 70–89% very good and 60–69% good. On completing the curriculum, the dancer receives a Ciara certificate.
- Participation 30%
- Performance 50%
- Own choreography 20%
Feedback
The teacher gives ongoing feedback in class. Written feedback comes at the end of the school year with the certificate. During the year there are parents' meetings and, where needed, development talks.
Quality
An official foundation
Ciara's curriculum is officially approved and compiled according to Estonia's foundational education documents.
- Curriculum “Dance Education” approved by the Ministry of Education and Research, code 198938
- Registered private hobby school with a valid operating licence
- Compiled under the Hobby Schools Act and the hobby-education standard
- Aligned with the national curriculum for preschool education
- Built on the quality principles of the Estonian Dance Education Union
The curriculum begins with the first lesson
Come and see what caring, systematic teaching looks like in class. The first lesson is free.
Join Ciara