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Early Childhood Education
(Ages 1–5)
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) consists of the care, education, and instruction of children under school age, supporting the child’s safe growth, development, and learning. By law, ECEC staff consist of trained professionals such as teachers, childcare workers, and assistants.
For whom?
A child may start Early Childhood Education and Care at the age of 9 months at the earliest. Generally, a child starts Early Childhood Education and Care by the age of 3 at the latest.
Varhaiskasvatukseen osallistuminen on vapaaehtoista ja se on perheen oma päätös. Joskus lapsi on kotihoidossa siihen asti, että aloittaa esiopetuksen 6-vuotiaana.
Where?
In the City of Hämeenlinna, Early Childhood Education and Care is primarily provided in daycare centres and through home-based childcare.
Explore ECEC locations in Hämeenlinna
What happens in Early Childhood Education and Care?
ECEC supports the child’s growth, development, learning, and well-being, and provides opportunities for play, friendships, and learning together. Activities include play, art, music, excursions, and the learning of social and emotional skills. Depending on their care hours, the child receives breakfast, lunch, and a snack. The day also includes a rest period.
If the child requires a special diet for medical or ethical reasons, please notify us of the special diet in advance. Fill in the form and return it to the daycare centre:
At what time?
The child spends the time reserved by the parents in ECEC. Most daycare centres open at 7:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM.
The parent reserves the child’s care hours in advance through the electronic Päikky system.
Instructions for logging into Päikky and reserving care hours:
What does it cost?
Early Childhood Education and Care is subject to a fee. The fee depends on the family’s income, the size of the family, and the child’s ECEC hours. For low-income families, Early Childhood Education and Care is free of charge.
Read more about the fees:
How to apply for a place?
Applications for an ECEC place can be made year-round. The application must be submitted four months before the child requires the ECEC place. The place is applied for using an electronic application (this requires authentication with bank IDs/mobile certificate).
If you cannot authenticate yourself, please visit the International Family Guidance Service and we will help you with the application.
Open early childhood education activities
If a child does not attend a daycare centre or home-based childcare, but supervised activities with other children are desired, the child can participate in open ECEC activities.
Open Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) consists of club and café activities for children and families. The activities are guided and planned to support the child’s growth and learning. Activities may include, for example, play, outdoor activities, physical exercise, art, and music. Parents can participate together with their child.
A service voucher can be applied for from the city for open ECEC club activities, making the activities free of charge for the family.
Further information
Contact us
In matters related to Early Childhood Education and Care, you are assisted by the International Family Guidance Service and the ECEC guidance and advisory service.
Support for everyday life for families with children
Does everyday life in a family with children feel overwhelming? Do not stay alone – Oma Häme offers low-threshold help.
