Early childhood education and care (ECEC) 

In Finland, cities and municipalities provide high-quality daycare services for children. All children below school age have a statutory right to early childhood education and care (daycare) provided by the municipality after the parental allowance period ends.

The fees are determined based on family income and family size, and childcare is provided in daycare centres or family daycare.

Right to Daycare and Application

The right to daycare usually begins when a child is about 9 months old.
A daycare place must typically be applied for four months before the need for care begins.

Types of Daycare

• Municipal daycare centre

• Private daycare centre

• Family daycare

• Group family daycare

Costs

The daycare fee depends on the family's income, and the lowest-income families do not pay any fee.

Childcare fees (early childhood education fees) are determined according to family size, income, and the amount of care needed.

The maximum monthly fee is €335 per month (starting 1 August 2026) for the first child.

The youngest child has the highest fee, and fees for siblings are significantly lower (40% / 20%).

More than half of families receive the service free of charge or at a very low cost.

Shift Care

Municipalities must provide evening and weekend childcare if the parents' work or studies require it.

Pre-Primary Education

Children aged 6 years are provided with free pre-primary education.

Other Support Options

If a child does not participate in municipal or private early childhood education, the family may be eligible for home care allowance paid by Kela.

Financial support is also available for private childcare services.