The people at the door

Every group has a key teacher; your child is greeted by the same face every morning. Our nurse and dietitian work with all groups.

Whole team first-aid certifiedA fixed teacher in every group40 hours of training a year

Elif Sarıkaya — Founder and director

Elif Sarıkaya

Founder and director

Hacettepe University, Early Childhood Education; 18 years in nurseries

She founded Pırpır in 2016 as a full-time working mother of two who could not find the nursery she was looking for. Responsible for the daily running of the club, relations with families and the team.

At 18:30 I’m the one at the door.

At Pırpır since 2016
Zeynep Arslan — Baby group teacher

Zeynep Arslan

Baby group teacher · Bebek Grubu

Child Development (associate degree), infant first aid certificate

Key educator of the baby group. She prepares the settling-in plan with each new family in the baby’s first two weeks.

I sing the lullaby at nap time.

At Pırpır since 2019
Derya Kılıç — Toddlers teacher

Derya Kılıç

Toddlers teacher · Yürüyenler

Marmara University, Early Childhood Education

She works on sensory play and movement, and runs toilet training together with families at the child’s pace.

The water table is my job; come ready to get wet.

At Pırpır since 2020

Selin Aydın

Play Group teacher · Oyun Grubu

Anadolu University, Child Development; drama training

Play centres and circle time are her field. She prepares short games that help children name their feelings.

Anger is a feeling too; we name it together.

At Pırpır since 2022
Murat Öz — Pre-school teacher

Murat Öz

Pre-school teacher · Okul Öncesi

Boğaziçi University, Early Childhood Education

He prepares the planned activities and the kindergarten transition notes. The garden and experiment hours are his.

Every Friday we do an experiment; this week, ice.

At Pırpır since 2021
Hülya Demir — Nurse

Hülya Demir

Nurse

BSc Nursing; 12 years on a paediatric ward

Responsible for the morning health check, medicine instructions, hygiene checks and applying the illness policy. She does not diagnose; she refers the family to a doctor when needed.

If the temperature goes over 38, I’m the one who calls you.

At Pırpır since 2017
Ceren Yalçın — Dietitian (part-time)

Ceren Yalçın

Dietitian (part-time)

Başkent University, Nutrition and Dietetics

She prepares and approves the 4-week menu, makes a separate plan with families for children with allergies and trains the kitchen team.

I sign off the menu every month.

At Pırpır since 2023

How we choose our team

A diploma isn’t the only measure; we look at how they talk to children.

  • A degree in early childhood education or child development
  • Criminal record check and health report
  • A week alongside an experienced teacher before starting
  • Feedback: parents’ notes are read together every month