Smart Work 2027: Empowering, rewarding collaboration
The Smart Work page presents everyday innovations and success stories developed by the employees of the City of Hämeenlinna.
During the 2025–2026 operating year, the Sinikellot group at Kaivokatu Early Education Centre included many children with immigrant backgrounds and children requiring additional support. Collaboration with families was paramount for initiating discussions, exchanging daily updates, and sharing information. We believed that sharing the responsibility for the children’s upbringing would also be highly rewarding for us. Everything “extra,” so to speak, provides further inspiration and makes the work meaningful.
From the very beginning, we have involved families and guardians as an essential part of early childhood education and its success. This has involved a warm welcome in the mornings, using the Tulkka app in the afternoons, or dedicating time when there have been important matters to discuss. We organized coffee events for families with treats baked by the children. Additional discussions were arranged with the help of interpreters, and time was dedicated to talking through various matters.
The highlight of the spring was a café conceived by the children, for which they had done the baking. Families were invited to buy baked goods and coffee and stay for a chat. The proceeds were used to pay for a chartered bus for a spring trip to Kiipula. This was only possible through warm, open, and respectful interaction, and by clearly communicating that collaboration is important and that families have an influence.
We believe that by continuing the whole team’s commitment to involving families in concrete ways, we can create an atmosphere where parents can trust us and where we can also raise difficult issues. We can also dedicate time to hearing how families are doing whenever possible. This creates a sense that we are working together for the best interests of the children.
Developers
Kaivokatu Early Education Centre:
Emma Pulkkinen, Early Childhood Education Teacher
Leena Helkiö, Early Childhood Education Assistant
Annika Sulin, Early Childhood Education Assistant