Applying for early childhood education and care
Every child in Finland has the right to early childhood education and care part-time or full-time, depending on the guardians’ choice. The City of Kerava provides high-quality and comprehensive early child education and care and preschool for children in Kerava. Private early childhood education is also available.
The daycare and preschool year begins at the start of August. During holiday seasons, services are reduced and provided more centrally.
Forms of early childhood education and care include:
- daycare centres and family day care
- open early childhood education and care, including playschools and Pihaparkki playground groups
- forms of support of the child’s home care
The goal of early childhood education and care is to support the child’s growth, development, learning and holistic wellbeing.
How to apply for an early childhood education placement
You can apply for an early childhood education placement at a municipal daycare centre, private daycare centre or family day care.
Applying for a placement at a municipal daycare centre
You need to apply for a placement at a municipal daycare centre at least four months before the desired start date of the early childhood education placement.
If the start date is uncertain, you should apply for an early childhood education placement as soon as possible. In these cases, the municipality is required to arrange an early childhood education placement within two weeks of submitting the application. Reasons why the start date of the early childhood education placement is uncertain include starting in a new job or place of study and moving to another municipality for work or studies.
You can apply for a municipal early childhood education placement in the e-service Hakuhelmi.
If you are unable to submit the online application, you can collect and return a printed application from the City of Kerava service centre, address Kultasepänkatu 7.
Applying for a placement at a private daycare centre
You can apply for a placement at a private daycare centre directly from the daycare. Contact the private daycare centre of your choice. The daycare approves or rejects the application. The private daycare and the child’s guardian sign a written agreement on early childhood education services, which also specifies the child’s early childhood education fee.
Allowances for private early childhood education services
Information about allowances for private early childhood education services is available in Finnish.