Vantaa moves to end municipal family daycare

Vantaa is moving to end municipal family daycare, a change that could affect 17 caregivers employed by the city. Yle reports that the move is linked to restructuring talks that could result in 122 city employees being dismissed.

The city executive board approved the outcome of the talks on Monday, but the Education and Learning Committee will decide separately how family daycare is organised. The change is therefore not yet fully certain, although several caregivers consider the decision effectively settled.

Nicole Olander, 36, has worked as a municipal family daycare caregiver in Vantaa for just over two years. She said following the negotiations had been emotionally difficult and left her uncertain about her future.

“I left nursing work two and a half years ago to become a family daycare caregiver. Now the future is a big question mark, and I have had to consider different options. I would not want my own child in today’s daycare centres,” she said.

Olander said she believes small children benefit from an unhurried daily routine, stable relationships and the presence of a trusted adult. She urged city officials and decision-makers to examine whether ending municipal family daycare would actually save money.

A small group of caregivers and children in their care demonstrated at Vantaa City Hall on Monday. Olander said she received official information about the plan on Tuesday. She felt relieved that months of uncertainty had reached a decision, but disappointed by the outcome. Caregivers are still waiting until November for details about what it means for them.

Yle said it tried unsuccessfully to reach the city’s acting deputy mayor and mayor for comment.