Current news: the open early childhood education playgroups clubs stayed closed for April. The clubs will re-open and continue their activities starting from 3 May 2021.
Applying for the autumn 2021 open early childhood education playgroup clubs
The open early childhood education playgroups meet at playgrounds and daycare centres around Helsinki.
The groups are for children in Helsinki who are cared for at home, from two years of age until the start of free pre-primary education. The activities are free of charge. Children of parents who receive a child home care allowance are also welcome at the clubs. However, if a family receives a private day care allowance, their child may unfortunately not take part in the clubs.
The playgroup clubs offer activities for 2.5–3 hours a day, 1–4 days a week. The activities are part of the open early childhood education activities, and they follow Helsinki’s curriculum for early childhood education and care. Each club has its own weekly programme, and playground or daycare centre staff members lead the activities. All children who participate are insured while taking part in the activities.
At the clubs, the children can play, exercise, make art and explore new things with other children. The clubs also facilitate positive learning experiences, and the children are able to practise their interaction skills. Furthermore, the structured and instructed activities and games are planned with the children according to their interests, and outdoor games are an integral part of the activities. For meal times, the children should bring their own snacks with them. The playgroup clubs regularly share information about the club activities with the families.
Each club has 7–13 children, and their ages are taken into account when forming the groups. A playgroup club can be formed if there are enough applicants.
The clubs start operating in August (week 35) and end in May (week 22). No club activities are organised during school holidays.
Applications for clubs starting in autumn 2021 should be submitted by 11 May 2021. Applications can be sent throughout the year, and children will be accepted into groups mid-term if there are places available.
More information about the playgroup club activities and the application process
Applications are submitted using an online form at asiointi.hel.fi
If you do not have access to the City of Helsinki e-services, you can use a printed application form. Find the Kerhohakemus (pdf) form in Finnish at the bottom of this page. After filling in the paper form, you should send it by post or deliver it to your preferred playgroup club location or any municipal playground or daycare centre.
You can find a list of clubs accepting applications here (in Finnish).
A list of clubs starting in autumn 2021 will also be published on the website at the end of May.
More information: Special Planning Officer Hanna Linna, hanna.linna@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program), tel. 09 3104 1259.