Starting a Daycare/Preschool in Finland?

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sunnie24
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 10:04 pm

Starting a Daycare/Preschool in Finland?

Post by sunnie24 » Thu Feb 01, 2018 11:04 pm

Hello!

I am an American, and here it is pretty easy to start an in-home daycare. The home has to pass certain inspections with DCF and you have to be CPR and ECE (early childhood education) certified and you are able to start one. And it is profitable. Very easy to charge $250-300/week per child.
I have wanted to have my own daycare for years now and I'm wondering if this is possible in Finland. I'm moving there soon and I'm wondering if this is still something I can accomplish. I am confused about the payment because as I understand it, the government pays for daycare?

If you have any resources or information it would be very helpful. I am trying to research as much information while I am here in the USA and I am finding it difficult.

Thank you!



Starting a Daycare/Preschool in Finland?

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FinnGuyHelsinki
Posts: 1439
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:52 pm

Re: Starting a Daycare/Preschool in Finland?

Post by FinnGuyHelsinki » Fri Feb 02, 2018 8:16 am

The government doesn't pay for it, but the price may be subsidized based on the parents' income and the number of children. Be it public or private, it is always the city/town that decides over daycare in their area, so you will need to be approved by them. I don't know how much a day care can charge (from the city/town), but without subsidies the cost (for the parent) for a single children in a communal day care is in the hundreds of euros monthly. As I understand it, you will need to be a business, not a private person. At the very least, expect to need to understand the local laws and regulations.

The only resources I could find with a quick Internet search were in Finnish, something also you will probably face going forward.

Upphew
Posts: 10748
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Location: Lappeenranta

Re: Starting a Daycare/Preschool in Finland?

Post by Upphew » Fri Feb 02, 2018 9:19 am

heretostay's link is worth a read. Note that the link goes to page that tells about ryhmäperhepäiväkoti and for that you must have employees or partners. If you plan to start by yourself then this is more relevant: http://www.hoitopaikka.net/Sivut.aspx/480
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sunnie24
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 10:04 pm

Re: Starting a Daycare/Preschool in Finland?

Post by sunnie24 » Fri Feb 02, 2018 5:31 pm

Wow, thank you for all the feedback! I will have my fiance translate the pages in the links you guys provided.

StellaS
Posts: 49
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2012 1:53 am

Re: Starting a Daycare/Preschool in Finland?

Post by StellaS » Sun Feb 04, 2018 7:48 pm

I wouldn’t count on it being very profitable. Most people just do it so they can keep their own children at home for a while longer. My neighbor who works for the communal side is paid around 1700 euros/month before taxes. She takes care of four children full time. Then she gets something like 5 euros/child/day which is meant for the food (breakfast, lunch, snack) and costs for any materials or activities. This is only paid for the days the kids actually are there.

The highest fee for a child in communal daycare is currently 290 euros/month. That’s for over 40 hours/week for parents who make enough money...the income affects the fees. For any additional siblings the fees go down drastically. So if you’re planning on starting a private daycare and charge more than the communal side, you have to offer something really extra.

sunnie24
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 10:04 pm

Re: Starting a Daycare/Preschool in Finland?

Post by sunnie24 » Mon Feb 05, 2018 7:16 pm

StellaS wrote:
Sun Feb 04, 2018 7:48 pm
I wouldn’t count on it being very profitable. Most people just do it so they can keep their own children at home for a while longer. My neighbor who works for the communal side is paid around 1700 euros/month before taxes. She takes care of four children full time. Then she gets something like 5 euros/child/day which is meant for the food (breakfast, lunch, snack) and costs for any materials or activities. This is only paid for the days the kids actually are there.

The highest fee for a child in communal daycare is currently 290 euros/month. That’s for over 40 hours/week for parents who make enough money...the income affects the fees. For any additional siblings the fees go down drastically. So if you’re planning on starting a private daycare and charge more than the communal side, you have to offer something really extra.
Thank you for giving me this information....it definitely gives me something to think about. I am shocked at this 290 euros/month. That is what Americans spend per week on daycare in some areas.
I don't want to invest in a business to not make any money.
Do most parents pay out of pocket for daycare or do they spend within the allowance?

I thought about doing an either in-home for commercial based English Montessori Preschool.

Upphew
Posts: 10748
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:55 pm
Location: Lappeenranta

Re: Starting a Daycare/Preschool in Finland?

Post by Upphew » Tue Feb 06, 2018 10:34 am

sunnie24 wrote:
Mon Feb 05, 2018 7:16 pm
I thought about doing an either in-home for commercial based English Montessori Preschool.
Can you use Montessori name just like that or should you contact montessori.fi first? Maybe they can help or give pointers with the bureaucracy.
http://google.com http://translate.google.com http://urbandictionary.com
Visa is for visiting, Residence Permit for residing.


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