The role of early childhood education is to strengthen skills related to children’s wellbeing and safety. Promoting safety also includes the systematic prevention and monitoring of accidents, as well as the maintenance of facilities and equipment.
Early childhood education and infections
Infections spread easily in early childhood education settings, but they can be prevented by good hygiene. The most important methods include thorough handwashing, correct coughing and sneezing techniques, regular cleaning of the child’s personal items (toys, dummies, water bottles, clothes), and ensuring vaccinations are up to date. A sick child must stay at home if they have a fever or symptoms that impair their ability to participate, and should only return to early childhood education once they have sufficiently recovered. This protects children, families, and staff from infection.
Information on the most common infectious diseases, prevention, and absences can be found on the Oma Häme website:
In the event of any accident involving a child, a member of the daycare centre staff will complete a written accident report. An accident is defined as a sudden, external event causing physical injury that occurs against the will of the insured person.
Seeking treatment and reimbursement of costs
If necessary, a child can be taken to a doctor at either a wellbeing services county clinic or a private medical centre, the costs of which are covered by the City of Hämeenlinna’s insurance. Children in early childhood education in Hämeenlinna are insured against accidents with the If P Insurance Company.
If the child is taken to a public healthcare doctor, you can request that the invoice be sent directly to the City of Hämeenlinna. If costs are incurred at a private medical centre, the costs must first be paid by the guardian. Reimbursement can be claimed directly from the insurance company after the city has filed a claim for the accident with the insurer. The insurance policy number required for the application is SP0004876404. Claims service tel. 010 191 715, open 8:00–17:00.
Further information on accident insurance and reimbursement practices for children in basic education, pre-primary education, and early childhood education in the City of Hämeenlinna can be found in the If insurance certificate.
In the event of dental accidents, the child is primarily directed to the dental clinic of their local health centre.
For the processing of a dental accident claim, the insurance company requires a dentist’s statement or a treatment proposal. If the dental visit took place at a private medical centre or a hospital emergency department, the guardian must personally request and submit the dentist’s statement to the insurance company.
The guardian must deliver any medical statements to the child’s daycare centre or the early childhood education service secretary: Education and Wellbeing/Early Childhood Education/Niko Grön.
