Award-winning! Smart Work 2026: Cycling equipment for early education centres
The Smart Work page presents everyday innovations and success stories developed by the employees of the City of Hämeenlinna.
For several years, I have personally purchased and requested donations of small children’s bicycles, balance bikes, and cycling helmets. I have donated these to various early education centres to encourage staff to support children in learning to cycle and to help children practice this useful motor skill.
Bikes have been donated to, among others, Lammi forest preschool, Hauho early education centres, Kaivokatu Early Education Centre and Seminaari preschool, Siiri Early Education Centre, Kankaantaka preschool, and Hattelmala Early Education Centre.
The idea for this was born when the city previously requested bicycle donations. They were refurbished and distributed to various early education centres. The distribution did not reach every unit, and I noticed differences in the amount of equipment between the centres.
In addition, I have aimed to acquire skis and ski boots for outdoor use at the centres. It is important to encourage children to be active. For this reason, I have also acquired doll strollers, prams, and baby dolls for outdoor use at the units where I have worked. This gets the children moving around the yard during outdoor playtime.
Developer
Anne Salo, Kaivokatu Early Education Centre, Kanta-Voutila unit