Open daycare centre

Open early childhood education services provide guided activities for children and families with children at open daycare centres, complementing other forms of early childhood education.

The activities are free of charge and intended for all children under school age, who do not attend municipal early childhood education or early childhood education supported by the municipality, and their parents and carers.

Open daycare centres are meeting places for families with children, where families can get to know other families in a similar life situation and benefit from peer support in raising children. The activities aim to support the child’s development as well as the parents and carers in the task of raising children. At an open daycare centre, children and adults do things together: they play, sing, do arts and crafts, paint, bake, go on excursions, etc. Joint activities and free play allow for discussions and interactions with other adults and personnel. At open daycare centres, all adults work together with the children, but the accompanying adult is responsible for the child.

You can bring your own snacks with you to an open daycare centre.

Participation in open daycare centre activities does not require advance enrolment.

The open daycare centres follow the school holidays.

Instructions

You can attend open daycare centre activities without advance enrolment. More information is available from the head of the early childhood education unit and service guidance for early childhood education.

For more information on the addresses and opening hours of the open daycare centres, click on the link Service Locations in the menu on the right side of the page.

Payment information

Participation has no effect on child home care allowance paid by Kela.

Service background

Open early childhood education and care activities are intended especially for children who are in home care. Many types of activities support the well-being of children and families at open day-care centres and playgrounds and in clubs.

Clubs offer instructor-led and goal-oriented activities. Play, outdoor activities and spending time together in a safe environment are emphasised. For example, the children may be offered clubs focusing on exercise, cultural activities or nature study. In family clubs, the parents may also participate.

In addition to municipalities, actors such as parishes and NGOs organise clubs, camps and other activities for children and their parents. Some of these are intended for the whole family.