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Day care
Dasy care, alasivun pääkuva
Day care
Day care
Several day care options are available for early childhood education in Joensuu. There are over 30 municipal and 20 private day care centers. In addition, family day care and playgroup activities are available. If necessary, day care services are also available in the evenings, at nights and at weekends in some locations. Altogether ca. 3 200 children take part in the day care activities. 2 150 of them are in municipal day care centers, 600 in private day care and 300 in family day care. The day care staff includes ca. 570 professionals.
Applying to day care
You should apply for day care at least four months before you need a place for your child. A quicker process may be possible if necessary, e.g. if you get a job or a place to study.
We prefer online applications via www.joenmuksut.fi (Instructions for electronic services). Online bank user identifiers are needed to use the system. The main language of the system is Finnish, but you can change the language to English from the settings, see the instructions here.
English language application form is available here. Return the application form to Day Care Service Center. However, if you apply for private day care center, you should return the application form directly to the particular day care center.
Day Care Service Center will contact you to compliment the application and to find out a suitable day care place. However, if you applied for a private day care center, the contact will come from there.
Day care fees
Day care fees cover approximately 10% of the total cost of the care. The rest is covered by tax money.
Monthly day care fees in Joensuu depend on the amount of day care needed (reserved hours) as well as on the income and size of the family. Normally the fee is charged for eleven months per annum. The calculation of the fee is based on the Finnish law and official municipal decisions. Basic fee is similar in public and private day care, but private service providers may have some extra supplements. You can contact the Day Care Service Center for the fee details, only the main features of the calculation are described here.
Maximum fee and sibling discounts
The maximum full-day care fee for the youngest child of the family is 295 €/month and for the second youngest child 118 €/month. For further children of the family the rate is 20% of the fee of the youngest child
Family size and income
Family size comprises married or common law couples living in the same household together with the minor children of both partners living in the same household. Monthly gross income of the family includes all taxable earned income, capital gains and tax-free income earned by a child and parent/couples living in the same household. The parents must make income declaration (not needed in case of maximum fee).
|
Family size |
Gross income limit for minimum fee, €/month | Gross income limit for maximum fee, €/month |
| 2 | 2913 | 5670 |
| 3 | 3758 | 6515 |
| 4 | 4267 | 7024 |
| 5 | 4777 | 7534 |
| 6 | 5284 | 8041 |
Day care fee is affected by the hours of the care needed. In Joensuu, following categories are in use:
| Day care hours/month | Fee, % of the full-day fee |
| 0–88 | 60% |
| 89–120 | 70% |
| 121–140 | 80% |
| >140 | 100% |
Day care centers
Joensuu has over 30 public and 20 private day care centers. The municipal day care centers are mostly open at 6:30–17/18. The opening times of the private centers may vary. The day care includes meals as follows:
- Breakfast ca. at 8–8:30 hours
- Lunch ca. at 10:45–12 hours depending on the age and activities of the group
- Snack ca. at 14–14:30 hours
Early morning and late evening care is available as follows:
- Huvikumpu day care center: Mon–Fri 5:30–22
- Pataluoto day care center: Mon–Fri 5:30–22
- Metsätähti day care center (Eno): Mon-Sun 5:30–22
Niinivaara day care center is open 24/7 throughout the year and serves the families working in shifts.
Rules for late evening and night care
Lists of day care centers by region
Day care centers: City central area
Day care centers: City central area
Day care centers: Noljakka–Marjala
Day care centers: Noljakka–Marjala
Day care centers: Karsikko–Niinivaara–Penttilä–Karhunmäki
Day care centers: Karsikko–Niinivaara–Penttilä–Karhunmäki
Day care centers: Mutala–Rantakylä–Utra
Day care centers: Mutala–Rantakylä–Utra
Day care centers: Reijola–Niittylahti–Hammaslahti
Day care centers: Reijola–Niittylahti–Hammaslahti
Day care centers: Eno–Uimaharju–Heinävaara–Kiihtelysvaara–Tuupovaara
Day care centers: Eno–Uimaharju–Heinävaara–Kiihtelysvaara–Tuupovaara
Family day care, Playgroup activities
Family day care
In family day care a child is in a small group with maximum of four children and one caretaker. Typically, the care takes place in the home of the caretaker. However, we try to facilitate the care also in the home of a child or in homes of 2–3 families alternately. There are family day care places all over the town and also in the countryside. Altogether ca. 300 children attend family day care in Joensuu.
Family day care offers early education according to the same principles as e.g. day care centers. Emphasis is on safe care and playing.
Playgroup activities
Playgroup activities offer open early education for 2–5 year old children two, three or five times a week depending of the group. The duration of one session is three hours either in the morning (9–12) or in the afternoon (13–16). Morning session includes lunch and afternoon session a snack. Children play and attend versatile guided activities with other children. Playgroup activities take place according to the working and holiday times of the schools. During the summers, playgroup activities are also organised in some playgrounds for 4–10 years old children (at 9–14 hours).
Fees for playgroup activities (open early education)
- group twice a week: 40€/month
- group three times a week: 60€/month
- group five times a week: 80€/month
It is possible to apply for a reduction, decision is based on family income criteria.