Finnish Education Policy - pre primary

Finnish Education policy

Providing equal opportunities for all citizens to high-quality education and training is a long-term objective of the Finnish education policy.

 

The key words in Finnish education policy are quality, efficiency, equity and internationalisation. The basic right to education and culture is recorded in the Constitution. The policy is built on the principles of lifelong learning and free education. Education is seen as a key to competitiveness and wellbeing of the society.

There is a wide-spread consensus of the main pillars of education policy and the policy is characterized by cooperation and continuity - evolution rather than revolution. Tripartite partnership among Government, trade unions and employer organisations is an integrated part of policy-making. Participation and consultation of a wide range of different stakeholders play a central role in educational reform.

 

Teachers and the Trade Union of Education as their representative are the key players in the development of education. The main objectives and broad lines of the policy are defined at central level, but the implementation of these is the responsibility of the local level.

The main steering document in the Finnish education policy is the

 

Government’s Development Plan for Education and Research

 

Early childhood education

Pre-primary education is voluntary for the children and families

All children under school-age have a subjective right to early childhood education and care (ECEC). The municipalities are responsible for arranging the ECEC services, for their quality and supervision. Families can also opt for publicly subsidized private ECEC settings. The Finnish ECEC is based on an integrated approach to care, education and teaching, the so-called “educare” model. Learning through play is essential.

The main form of ECEC is day care organised in day care centres and in family day care. The content of ECEC is guided by the National Curriculum Guidelines on ECEC (2003).

 

Other forms of ECEC services include clubs run by the local parishes and other non-governmental organizations and the various forms of open early childhood education activities organized by the municipalities for children and their families. Participation in ECEC is subject to a fee which depends on family income and the number of children. Client fees in municipal day care cover about 14 percent of the total day care costs.

Pre-primary education as part of the ECEC is the systematic education and instruction provided in the year preceding the start of compulsory education. Providing a place in preprimary education free of charge for all children is a statutory duty for municipalities. Participation is voluntary for children, but nearly all 6-year-olds are enrolled in pre-primary education. Pre-primary education is organized in day care centres and schools. Education is based on a local curriculum drawn up within the framework of the National Core Curriculum for Pre-primary Education (2010). Early childhood education, pre-primary and basic education form an integrated whole progressing consistently following the child’s development.

At national level ECEC is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Culture as from 1.1.2013. The legislation governing ECEC is currently being reformed. Also the Core Curriculum for Pre-Primary education is being revised as part of the ongoing curricular reform in basic education.

 

     http://www.oph.fi/english/education_system/early_childhood_education

3.3.2015

Pre-primary education is compulsory from August 2015

Participation in pre-primary education or corresponding activities will be mandatory from August 2015. A majority (98 %) of 6 year-old children already attend preprimary education.

 

             

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