Päiväkodin

Päiväkoti is the Finnish term for a day care center or early childhood education and care setting. In Finland, päiväkoti services are designed for young children from infancy up to the age of school entry, typically before they begin grade one. They operate in municipal, private, or non-profit forms and may offer full-day or part-time care.

Päiväköt are part of the broader varhaiskasvatus, or early childhood education and care system. They are regulated and funded through local municipalities, with fees often based on family income. While municipalities generally provide services, private providers can operate under national standards, and parental choice is common.

The daily program emphasizes play-based learning, social development, language and cognitive development, physical activity, and health and safety. Activities are planned to support development while respecting each child's pace. A typical day includes indoor and outdoor play, meals, rest or quiet time, and time for routines and transitions.

Staffing generally includes qualified early childhood professionals; qualifications and staff-to-child ratios vary by age and by municipality, but staff training in early childhood education is required. Parents are encouraged to participate in planning and daily routines, and centers often have open communication channels.

In Finland, päiväkoti operate alongside esiopetus (pre-primary education) for six-year-olds, which starts the year the child turns six. Children may remain in päiväkoti until they begin formal schooling. The system aims to support equal access to high-quality care and education from early childhood onward.