Supported early childhood education

Children sometimes need support as they grow and learn. In such cases, it is important to find out what kind of support the child needs. Read more!

Principles for organising support  

Our approach to organising support is based on the child’s strengths and their needs in terms of learning, development and well-being. Our early childhood education support consists of

• pedagogical solutions related to community activities, i.e. activities involving groups of children  
• solutions related to learning environments  
• responding to the individual needs of the child.

In early childhood education, we ensure that every child feels accepted for who they are and as a member of the group. By encouraging children and giving them opportunities to experience success, we support the development of a positive self-image. The support and measures that a child needs are recorded in the early childhood education plan (VASU) for children in daycare or family daycare.   When planning growth and learning support in pre-school education, we work closely with parents, student welfare staff and special needs teachers in early childhood education. Part-time special education in pre-school is provided in cooperation between the pre-school teacher and the special needs teacher for broad-based early childhood education.  

Our staff’s task is to observe the best ways to support children. The focus of observation is on the practices, methods and learning environments used in early childhood education and care, as well as their suitability for the group of children in early childhood education and care, pre-school education and family day care groups.

Based on the review, we assess how we can implement pedagogical solutions that are better suited to the group of children by changing our activities and/or learning environment. If necessary, our staff can request the involvement of a special needs teacher in the review. If necessary, additional resources can be allocated to the early childhood education group. If the support measures at the child’s early childhood education centre are not sufficient, the child has the opportunity to be placed in a smaller group/integrated special group. Our integrated special groups are located in the Rykmentinpuisto and Tuusulanjärvi daycare centres in the South Tuusula area and in the Notkopuisto daycare centre in the Jokela area.

A child’s need for support may be short-term or full-time, temporary, regular or continuous. Support may include one or more forms of support. The child’s need for support is assessed, and support is planned and organised in multidisciplinary cooperation (consulting special needs teacher in early childhood education, other experts caring for the child) if necessary. The levels of support are general, intensified and special support.

An administrative decision is made on intensified and special support in early childhood education and on general support services. In pre-school education, an administrative decision is made on child-specific support. 

Special needs teacher in early childhood education (Lveo) 

A special needs teacher in early childhood education (Lveo) works together with the child’s guardians, group staff and other partners. They observe the activities of the group of children, help to plan pedagogical solutions for the group and the individual support measures needed by the children, and participate in the activities of the groups of children on the basis of the principle of co-teaching.  

The special needs teacher for early childhood education works with guardians and group staff to find solutions that take into account the needs of the child, the functioning of the group and the content of pedagogical activities. They provide consultation on matters related to the child’s growth, development, learning and rehabilitation. Guardians, early childhood education staff and other partners may contact the special needs teacher for early childhood education with the guardian’s consent. 

Early childhood education counsellor for families with children 

You can discuss parenting, your child’s growth and development, and family life issues with a family counsellor. Through guidance, joint activities and modelling, we aim to find ways and means to improve your family’s everyday life. A family counsellor can give you advice and guidance on other support measures. Family counselling is confidential. You can contact an early childhood education family counsellor and arrange a meeting, which can take place in the counsellor’s office, at a mutually agreed location or remotely. 

Early childhood education family counselling is preventive, low-threshold counselling provided in cooperation with parents, early childhood education and other cooperation networks with the family’s consent. No referral is required for the service, and it is free of charge. Families involved in early childhood education can apply for the service. 

This content has been translated using AI