Award-winning! Smart Work 2026: Developing Early Childhood Education Placement

The development of the placement process began when the person who had previously handled this work retired and the duties were redistributed. The work was approached with an investigative mindset. The content of the work was structured, roles and responsibilities were clarified, and the vulnerability of relying on a single person was eliminated. As a result of this development, the time spent on the work has been reduced to a quarter of what it was before.

The placement process was made more efficient, transparency was increased, and equal treatment of customers was ensured. Communication shifted from phone calls to written standard messages, so that discussions are now documented and customers are informed equally. Customers receive information about decisions and their grounds in good time. Customer communication takes place via the Suomi.fi service, email, and SMS messaging, while Teams and the Päikky application are used internally.

Documenting the placement process and recording the criteria ensures transparency in decision-making. Placement decisions are now made 1–2 months earlier. An annual schedule guides the timing of the process. It is easier to anticipate changing customer needs and recruitment. The role of the Service Advisory function has been strengthened and clarified.

The work continues with, among other things, the reform of eo-placement, the development of the tool, and regional cooperation as well as cooperation with early childhood special education.

Developers

Marjo Tökkä, Early Childhood Education Planner
Elina Oja, Early Childhood Education Manager