Day Care and Schools

Early childhood education in Finland emphasizes learning by playing. Developing social skills is equally important. Children receive a daily breakfast, warm lunch and afternoon snack as part of the service. Younger children normally take a short nap in the afternoon. Children starting in a public day care centre usually have an introductory period in which their parents or guardians can accompany them as they get to know the new routine. Parents or guardians can use this opportunity to see for themselves how things work and ask questions. Some of the city’s day care centres offer evening or round-the-clock care. This is ideal for parents and guardians who work in the evenings or do shift work.

Day Care Service Instructors (All email addresses: firstname.lastname@kouvola.fi)

Jaana Sihvola
Tel. 020 615 4890 (City centre)
Anu Peltola
Tel. 020 615 5400 (Kuusankoski, Jaala and Valkeala areas)
Annu Mäki-Patola
Tel. 020 615 5542 (Myllykoski, Inkeroinen, Koria, Elimäki areas)

Children start comprehensive school in the year they turn seven. The City of Kouvola assigns children to their local public school (lähikoulu) the year before their comprehensive schooling is set to begin. The city sends out an information package with enrollment information in the spring before school begins.

Children, who have arrived in Kouvola from abroad, and are residents of the city, are eligible for a period of preparatory education to ease their transition into the Finnish school system. This period takes from six months to a year. The preparatory education includes language instruction, and depending on the child’s age and needs, extra support from a staff of education professionals. Preparatory education takes place in two schools in Kouvola: Mansikkamäki and Vahtero.