Private Early Childhood Education ( Private daycare)

Private Early Childhood Education

In city of Rauma there are four private daycare centers and approximately eight private family daycare providers in Rauma.

Private early childhood education follows the Early Childhood Education Act and the curriculum guidelines, just like municipal early childhood education.

Service Voucher for Private Daycare

All private daycare centers in Rauma operate as service voucher daycare centers. In private daycare, families can use a service voucher, which they apply from the City of Rauma.

To ensure your eligibility for the service voucher, apply well in advance. If you have an urgent employment situation, apply at least two weeks before the need arises; otherwise, apply four months before your child starts at a private service voucher daycare. Each child requires a separate service voucher application. Only families residing in Rauma can apply for the service voucher. There is no subjective right to the service voucher; the city decides on its issuance. The service voucher is granted for a minimum of one month.

How to Use the Service

1. The family applies for an early childhood education place at a private service voucher daycare center.
2. Once the place is secured, the family enters into a written service agreement with the service voucher daycare center.
3. The family applies for the service voucher electronically from the city. Access to the service requires online banking credentials or an official identification. The altenative application can be made without identification also.
4. Apply for the service voucher at least 4 months before the daycare begins.
5. In cases of sudden employment or full-time studies, the application must be submitted at least two weeks before the daycare starts.

Determining the Value of the Service Voucher

The cost of daycare varies depending on the specific daycare center. It can either match the price of municipal early childhood education or be 10-20 euros per month more expensive. Families receive a written decision regarding the service voucher.

Notification Obligation

The value of a child’s service voucher is reviewed annually. To facilitate this review, families are requested to provide income information. However, families must proactively notify the city when:

1. Their income changes by +/- 10%, for example, due to unemployment or employment.
2. There are changes in family relationships, such as a change in the number of family members.
3. Custody arrangements for the child change.
4. The family’s address changes.
5. The child’s service needs changes.
6. The child’s early childhood education ends.

Municipal Supplement for Private Family Daycare

Private family daycare is supported by a municipal supplement. Families can apply for support and the supplement from Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland).

In Raumalla, the conditions for receiving the municipal supplement are as follows:

1. The child is in private family daycare: either at the home of a family daycare provider or when the family has hired a childminder  for their home.
2. The child resides in Raumalla.
3. The child’s care duration exceeds 25 hours per week.

The municipal supplement for private daycare varies based on the child’s age and the type of care. Below are the monthly amounts for children under 3 years old and children over 3 years old:

Additionally, since January 1, 2018, families using private family daycare have had the opportunity to receive a sibling supplement. As of August 1, 2023, this supplement can be up to €150 per month. The compensation paid to the service provider is adjusted based on the child’s time spent in early childhood education. The sibling supplement can be payd to families whose children are divided between private and munipal daycare and day care in addiction to preprimary education.