daycare advice needed - opinions please

[anban]

I am currently looking for a suitable daycare for my soon-to-be 4 year old for next Fall.
I live downtown Helsinki and have a pretty good idea of the possibilities around here and dont mind if it is public, private, Finnish or English.
However, my ds is special needs (not so much that he cannot attend "normal" daycare) but he is developmentally delayed and thus needs a little extra attention and TLC.

My question is this:

Does anyone have experience with any of the daycare centers in Helsinki (Kamppi, Ullanlinna, Eira, Punavuori) and if so, can you please give me your opinions.
If you are uncomfortable with the public forum, please PM me.

Thank you!

[sahboo]

every child is entitled to a day care place,its up to you to choose public or private.if you go with city run care they can provide a helper in the day care for your little one depending on the level of special needs.you should have a day care near you, a city run one and you could call in there and aslk them.i would check online at http://www.hel.fi for a list of all kindergardens inc public and private as well as english speaking ones.you could go and see and ask the places what they provide.i worked in a great kindergarten called bumblebees but i am not sure what level of care your little one needs in day care o you should check that out first.
sarah

[anban]

Sarah thank you for your advice.
We've done the whole social services route.
They placed my, then 2.5yr old in an "eritysryhmä" in Kamppi PK with 5-6 year olds!!
It was terrible, on many levels - I gave it two weeks, cried everyday and took him out.
He now goes to "normal" päiväkerho twice a week in Seppä and its WONDERFUL.

Any opinions about the English Language Montessori School in Kamppi or Tähtitorni PK or Kaivopuisto PK?

[anban]

Oh yes, and it is very, very difficult to get a personal care assistant from the city.
They say it can be done but once you actually apply they give you the run-around for months and years.
Its pretty hopeless - even with support from doctors and occupational therapists.
They promised us a sign language teacher MONTHS ago and still cannot provide us one - they just keep saying we have to wait.

This is why I think if I can just find the right place (no dangerous stairs to climb all day, fenced play yard (yes, Kamppi PK was not fenced!!?!), and smallish groups and/or experienced teacher(s), I think he would do ok....