Early childhood education service counsellors

Child home care allowance can be applied for by a family who has a child under three years of age who is cared for at home.

Early childhood education's objective is to support a child's growth, development and learning and promote their wellbeing.

Family day care is intended for under school aged children and it takes place in small groups in a home-like, easygoing environment. Family day care takes place in the childminder's home, in the child's home or in a specially designed group family day care center.

A family can hire a childminder for their home either with the child home care allowance or the private day care allowance.

Pre-primary education starts one year before a child starts going to school. Pre-primary education is four hours a day and it's run during the working hours of schools. There is free pre-primary education in Vantaa that is being given in day cares and in some schools.

A family can receive private day care allowance from Kela to pay for private day care. This allowance can the paid right after the parental allowance term has ended.

Private family day care is supervised by the local authorities. Family day care takes place in a home-like environment at the private childminder's home.