Day care

When you need a day-care place for your child, you have to apply for the place at least four months before care is required.

At the end of the parental allowance period, parents are entitled to a place in a day-care centre or family day care for their child. The payment of the parental allowance ends when the child is about 9 months old.

All children under school age are entitled to  early childhood education.

Children who are not in early childhood education and care in a day-care centre or family day care can take part in municipal free-of-charge club activities.

You can apply for places in municipal early childhood education and care using a form or through the e-services. Private day-care centres and carers can usually be contacted directly.

The day-care fee depends on the income of the family and the number of siblings. You can apply to Kela for support for the costs of private day care. Many municipalities have a service voucher that can be used to purchase early childhood education and care services form private operators.