Tornio succeeds where many municipalities struggle: early childhood education attracts workers from other areas

The northern Finnish city of Tornio has achieved what many municipalities aim for—its early childhood education sector not only has enough staff but also attracts workers from other regions, Yle reports. A long-term focus on teamwork training has improved employee well-being and reduced sick leave, while also enhancing children’s welfare.

Unlike many Finnish municipalities facing shortages in early childhood education staff, Tornio has maintained stable personnel levels. The city credits a four-year investment in teamwork development, launched in 2020, which included professional training for staff on collaboration and open communication.

The results have been tangible: employee well-being scores in Tornio’s early childhood education have ranked highest in the city’s workplace satisfaction surveys for two consecutive years. Sick leave has also declined, though officials note this was not the primary goal.

“We didn’t set out to reduce sick leave specifically, but it decreased as a side effect of improved well-being,” said Riitta Keloneva, Tornio’s early childhood education director. The positive reputation has even drawn job applicants from other municipalities, she added.

Teamwork strengthens children’s sense of security

The training emphasized consistent practices across teams to avoid confusing children. For example, staff now agree on uniform rules—such as whether bread can be served with hot meals—to prevent mixed signals.

“Children know all the adults here and feel safe asking any of us for help,” said Sonja Väisänen, an early childhood educator at Pirkkiö daycare. The improved teamwork has also made daily work lighter, as staff feel more comfortable asking for and offering support.

Jenni Laukkanen, head of Pirkkiö daycare, noted that the training encouraged staff to address challenges openly. “People now speak more freely about their values and concerns, which helps resolve issues early,” she said.

Expanding the model to schools

Encouraged by the success, Tornio has extended teamwork training to schools, with programs for school assistants and preschool staff ongoing. The city aims to become Lapland’s most attractive municipal employer by 2030—a goal that now includes early childhood education as a key strength.

“Life shouldn’t be too serious—laughter and humor with children every day make a difference,” Laukkanen said, highlighting how staff well-being directly benefits the children.