Private childcare support and municipal supplement

Families can arrange early childhood education and care for children under school age with private childcare support. This support is paid to the private care provider chosen by the guardians, such as a private family daycare provider or an employed carer hired by the family, provided they are approved by the municipality. In addition to the statutory private childcare support, a municipal supplement is paid in Hämeenlinna.

Private childcare support includes a care allowance paid by Kela and a care supplement determined by the family’s income. Families apply for private childcare support and the municipal supplement from Kela. Kela pays the support directly to the service provider, and the family is responsible for paying the difference between the customer fee set by the service provider and the support received.

Municipal early childhood education and care places or service vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with private childcare support.

Private family daycare

Hämeenlinna has private family daycare providers whose organised early childhood education and care is eligible for Kela’s private childcare support and the associated municipal supplement.

Families apply for a place by contacting a private family daycare provider directly. A care agreement is drawn up between the family and the provider. The service provider defines the terms of the care relationship, such as customer fees, any notice period, and other practices.

Customer fees for private family daycare vary by service provider. Before entering into a care agreement, it is advisable to clarify at least:

• operating hours
• holiday arrangements
• possible substitute care
• the amount of the customer fee and invoicing during holidays
• notice period and terms of termination.

Private family daycare providers advertise their vacant places, for example, on their own websites and social media channels.

Carer hired at home

Families can hire an adult carer to look after children in their home. Kela’s private childcare support and Hämeenlinna’s municipal supplement may be available for hiring a carer.

The family acts as the employer and is responsible for salary payments, employer obligations, and associated ancillary costs of employment. Kela pays the support directly to the carer.

Amount of private childcare support municipal supplement

Hämeenlinna pays a municipal supplement in addition to private childcare support as follows:

Please note that customer fees for private service providers vary. The family’s final payment is determined by the service provider’s price list and the private childcare support, care supplement, and municipal supplement granted by Kela.