Varttua - a web service for ECEC

Varttua is a national web service maintained by the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) group of National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Varttua offers ECEC news, an event calendar, useful links and other information.

Varttua also provides support material for planning and developing ECEC in accordance with the National Curriculum Guidelines on Early Childhood Education and Care in Finland.

The discussion group enables joint discussion, introduction of new issues and interaction. Varttua targets all those interested in ECEC: staff, parents, policy-makers, researchers, and students.

OECD Starting Strong (ECEC) Network

Finland is a member of the international Starting Strong Network. Read more

Contact us

Documents

National Curriculum Guidelines on ECEC in Finland 2003 (pdf-file, 719 kt)
The National Curriculum Guidelines on Early Childhood Education and Care in Finland (Varhaiskasvatussuunnitelman perusteet) serves as a basis for local - municipal - curricula and for the curricula implemented in the day-care centres and other forms of ECEC, such as family day care.
[THL]

Early childhood education and care Information for parents of young children (PDF-file, 70 kt)
This booklet aims to tell parents about the key ideas and principles applied in early childhood education and care (ECEC).
[THL]

Brochure Early childhood education and care in Finland (pdf-file, 309 kt)
The brochure presents briefly the provision of early childhood education and care services in Finland. 3rd revised edition 2004.
[Ministry of Social Affairs and Health]

Government Resolution Concerning the National Policy Definition on Early Childhood Education and Care (500 kt)
The central principles and focuses of development in Finnish early childhood education and care have been gathered together in the national policy. The national policy presents proposals for action, including legislative reform, development of national steering for early childhood education and care, maintenance and reinforcement of the professional competence of personnel and development of monitoring and evaluation for early childhood education and care.
[Ministry of Social Affairs and Health]

A Finland Fit for Children. The National Finnish Plan of Action called for by the Special Session on Children of the UN General Assembly 2005 (pdf-file, 497 kt)
A Finland Fit for Children is the National Plan of Action that is based on the final document, A World Fit for Children, adopted at the Special Session on Children of the UN General Assembly in May 2002. The Plan of Action was prepared by the Finnish National Committee on the Rights of the Child set up by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in spring 2003. In it the National Committee highlights issues of topical interest regarding the living conditions of children and families with children in Finland.
[Ministry of Social Affairs and Health]