Fewer than 300 children under one enrolled in early childhood education programs in Finland

Starting formal early childhood education before the age of one is quite uncommon in Finland. At the end of last year, statistics revealed that fewer than 300 children under one year old were enrolled in early childhood education programs. In contrast, close to 20,000 children under the age of two, roughly 43% of that age group, were participating in such programs during the same period, according to the National Agency for Education.

Recent trends indicate that Finnish children are entering early childhood education at younger ages. A survey conducted by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and Kela in 2022 showed that fathers of young children are generally more inclined than mothers to enroll their toddlers in early education. This shift reflects changing attitudes towards childcare and education in the country, as parents increasingly recognize the benefits of early learning environments.