Hi there.
My family and I are settling in in Oulu. I start Uni next week and my husband is going to Finnish classes and volunteering at some places while he continues his quest to find work. Our 3 year old daugter however may have to wait up to 4 months to get a place in Paivakoti (sooner if my SO finds work). Athough we know a few people here none of them have children and our dughter is feeling lonely. I am looking for parents of young children who would like to show us some of the most fun places for kids or just come round to let the kids play while we drink coffee.
I only speak English (well rusty Danish too and I can kind of understand Swedish). My husband speaks English, Hungarian, rusty Portugese and his Finnish is getting better every day.
Our daughter speaks English and Hungarian but I don't think the language matters so much for her. She just wants someone to play with.
Please PM me if you would be interested in some "play dates"
Thanks Jen
Looking for Parents in Oulu
Hi Jen!
Did you find the English-speaking playgroup close to the city center (and near Oulu river). Here is link: http://www.englishplayschool.net
They are usually quite full but you might get lucky since people come and go.
Our päiväkoti place in Kempele will be free soon, at Metsätähti, but maybe they already have a queue of people waiting. I will PM you contact information for them.
Did you find the English-speaking playgroup close to the city center (and near Oulu river). Here is link: http://www.englishplayschool.net
They are usually quite full but you might get lucky since people come and go.
Our päiväkoti place in Kempele will be free soon, at Metsätähti, but maybe they already have a queue of people waiting. I will PM you contact information for them.
Paul
Hi Jen,
Sorry, I can't be of much help really - I would have suggested the English-speaking playgroup too as it's only across the road from me and I have studied their 'curriculum' for future reference(!), and it seems really lovely. I would be interested to know how long the wait is there, though I'm due to give birth with my first baby at anytime now so hopefully I won't have to put the baby's name down on the waiting list just yet (or do I?!!!)??
Best of luck to your husband too with the Finnish classes sounds like he's doing well already! My Finnish is hopeless as I've only been here since October and my Finnish husband prefers us to speak English - but I hope that my Finnish will improve, as ever, with time (like 20 years down the road probably!).
If you need to know anything else, feel free to PM me. Though I suspect, when you start at the Uni you'll get loads of useful from there as well!
Best wishes,
Pen
Sorry, I can't be of much help really - I would have suggested the English-speaking playgroup too as it's only across the road from me and I have studied their 'curriculum' for future reference(!), and it seems really lovely. I would be interested to know how long the wait is there, though I'm due to give birth with my first baby at anytime now so hopefully I won't have to put the baby's name down on the waiting list just yet (or do I?!!!)??
Best of luck to your husband too with the Finnish classes sounds like he's doing well already! My Finnish is hopeless as I've only been here since October and my Finnish husband prefers us to speak English - but I hope that my Finnish will improve, as ever, with time (like 20 years down the road probably!).

If you need to know anything else, feel free to PM me. Though I suspect, when you start at the Uni you'll get loads of useful from there as well!
Best wishes,
Pen

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Hi thank you all for your replies. Our computer has been out of action for a few weeks so i haven't been able to reply sooner. As far as I know the English speaking playschool has a 2 year waiting list. Our daughter has got a place at paivakoti. We arranged a meeting with them and explained that it was important for her development and integration to Finland, since we cant teach her Finnish at home.
Even though we have a place at paivakoti we are still interested in meeting other parents and finding all the fun things to do in Oulu. Good luck penster. I wish for health and happiness for you and your growing family.
Even though we have a place at paivakoti we are still interested in meeting other parents and finding all the fun things to do in Oulu. Good luck penster. I wish for health and happiness for you and your growing family.