We are moving to Helsinki with a 2 month old, I will work and my wife doesn’t.
Still, we are interested in using daycare services to free up some time.
Does anyone know the earliest age a baby can be put into daycare? It seems usually 9 months and up since that is when parental leave ends, but do any accept from younger age?
Also, would my wife not working impact our access to using daycare?
Earliest age to enter daycare
Re: Earliest age to enter daycare
If you are looking into the municipal daycare, you can check the daycare close to your area before you apply or send an email (https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/childhoo ... nformation) though I highly doubt that they accept a child as young as 2 months as they don't encourage children being away from their parents that young especially if one of the parent is not working. If few hours a day few days a week is fine for you, maybe you will consider just hiring a baby sitter?
You can check for more information on this site
https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/childhoo ... g/applying
You can check for more information on this site
https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/childhoo ... g/applying
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Re: Earliest age to enter daycare
I doubt they would accept a child younger than 9 months old. Besides, an application processing time is around 4 months. And yes, your wife not working will have its impact - your application will have a lower priority in the queue compared to those working/studying.
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Re: Earliest age to enter daycare
It is very difficult to get a place for even a 9 month old. At that age they require a lot of extra one on one attention and most daycares are not equipped to handle them before about a year of age. I have found that daycares in general will typically take only one 10 to 11 month old at a time as an exception. I suggest contacting private childcare centers. They may have more flexibility than a municipal daycare.
Re: Earliest age to enter daycare
I agree with the babysitter option, I think it's your best chance by now. As other has mentioned, it's not a good idea to have such a small baby in a day care center, I wouldn't do that with my daughters at least.nikskate wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2019 10:29 amIf you are looking into the municipal daycare, you can check the daycare close to your area before you apply or send an email (https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/childhoo ... nformation) though I highly doubt that they accept a child as young as 2 months as they don't encourage children being away from their parents that young especially if one of the parent is not working. If few hours a day few days a week is fine for you, maybe you will consider just hiring a baby sitter?
You can check for more information on this site
https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/childhoo ... g/applying
If your wife needs some "free" time (which it's totally understandable), having a babysitter is a good idea and your wife can still be close to the baby.