As an alternative to early childhood education arranged by the municipality, parents can receive an allowance for either caring for the child at home or for privately organised care.

Child home care allowance

The child home care allowance is a type of financial support paid for the organisation of child care, which consists of a child care allowance and an income-related care supplement. Parents can care for their child at home with the support of the home care allowance if the youngest child of the family is under 3 years of age. Child home care allowance is applied from Kela. The child home care allowance includes a care allowance and an income-related care supplement.

Child home care allowance KELA: https://www.kela.fi/child-home-care-allowance

Child care allowances KELA: https://www.kela.fi/families

Private day care allowance

The private day care allowance is a form of financial support paid to the service provider chosen by the parent. When the care provider is a private daycare centre, the payment of the allowance is approved by the coordinator of private daycare centres. If the service provider is a family daycare provider or the family hires a caregiver to work in their home, the payment of the allowance is approved by the coordinator of family daycare. The caregiver employed by the family must be an adult. Kela pays the municipal supplement of the private day care allowance in connection with the payment of the private day care allowance without a separate application.

Private day care allowance KELA: https://www.kela.fi/private-day-care-allowance

Child care allowances KELA: https://www.kela.fi/families