A child’s entry into early years education is developed in partnership with the family

Text: Noora Naskali

Getting to know a new environment, new adults and daily routines takes time, which is why the start of early years education is planned carefully in consultation with parents and carers. 

The service discussion serves as the basis for getting started

A child’s early years education journey begins with a service discussion between the parents or guardians and the nursery manager or home-based childcare supervisor before the service begins.  

During the discussion, the family’s needs are reviewed and practical matters are agreed upon, such as the amount of early years education, daily care times, alternative carers and any necessary permits. At the same time, parents and carers are provided with information on the early years education centre’s operating practices, communication and day-to-day procedures. 

An initial discussion lays the foundations for cooperation

Following the service meeting, there will be an introductory meeting with the group’s educator. The aim of the meeting is to establish a basis of trust for cooperation between the family and the early years staff.  

Parents or carers can tell us about their child, their habits, their interests and any support they may need. At the same time, arrangements are made for the child’s settling-in period and for how the transition from home to early years education can be supported as safely as possible, whilst taking the child’s needs into account. 

It’s important to familiarise yourself with things before you start

Before formal early years education begins, the child takes part in an induction period together with their carer. During this period, the child is given the chance to get to know the new carers, the other children and the day-to-day routine at the nursery or home-based childcare in a relaxed manner.  

The length of the settling-in period is always planned according to the child’s individual needs. For children under three, an induction period of around two weeks at the nursery is generally recommended, whilst for older children or those starting in family day care, the period may be shorter. A child may only attend early years education without a guardian once the service agreement has come into force. 

Experiences of visiting the Peltokaari nursery school 

Many new children and families started early years education at the Peltokaari nursery this autumn. Some are completely new families, whilst others already have an older sibling who has attended early years education. In every case, we focus on the child’s and family’s needs when they start. At the Peltokaari nursery, we placed great emphasis on the induction period, and this was also evident to the parents and carers. 

We appreciate the opportunity for a two-week settling-in period and the fact that parents have also received guidance and practical tips on how to support their child as they start at nursery, says a parent whose child started at Peltokaari nursery this autumn. 

The Vasu discussion will hear about experiences from the coming months

Once a child has been in early years education for around two months, a meeting is held to discuss the child’s early years education plan, or ‘vasu’.  

The child, in accordance with their age, their carers and the group’s educator take part in the discussion. The child’s strengths, interests and goals are recorded in the Vasu plan, and joint approaches to supporting the child’s growth, development and learning are agreed upon. The plan is reviewed regularly together with the parents or carers. 

The opening moments are being developed with the help of surveys 

Parents and carers are asked about their experiences and feelings regarding the start of the school year via an annual customer survey.  

We were delighted to learn that, last spring, the enrolment process was assessed as being even more effective than in previous years. In particular, the survey highlighted parents’ sense that their child is made to feel welcome at the early years centre and feels safe there. 

A carefully planned start helps the child build a secure relationship with their new environment and lays the foundations for a successful early years journey. Open cooperation, trust and a shared understanding of how to support the child’s wellbeing play a key role. 

‘Our whole family has received support as we adjust to this new phase in our lives. We feel that communication has been open and warm, and that we are learning to adapt to our new daily routine together,’ say the carers at the Peltokaari nursery. 

This content has been translated using AI