Reports of violence against Tampere daycare staff surge

Reports of children assaulting staff in Tampere’s early childhood education and preschool services have risen sharply, Yle reports. The broadcaster reviewed hundreds of incident reports from 2024 and 2025, while the city has received more than 1,000 reports so far this year.

Staff have been kicked, punched and scratched, and had objects thrown at them. Some have been struck with forks and pencils. One report described a five-year-old child strangling an adult. In another case, a child kicked a worker in the chest; the worker continued the shift but later learned a rib was broken.

“To be honest, I have sometimes been afraid,” said Eeva, a Tampere early childhood education care worker who has been in the field for 20 years. Yle is withholding her real name and workplace to protect children’s privacy. She said the violence had left her bruised and affected her mental wellbeing, sometimes making going to work stressful.

Eeva said she had feared incidents involving a large child having severe outbursts. On a few occasions, she said, police or an ambulance had been called to help calm an aggressive child. Yle said it could not confirm her account with police.

Violence is also causing injuries and sick leave. The Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ) said seven per cent of respondents to its workplace conditions survey this year reported taking sick leave because of violence, up from three per cent two years earlier. OAJ legal director Ulla Walli said work-related accidents involving violence had increased tenfold over the past decade. She said more frequent reporting may account for some of the rise.

Tampere early childhood education occupational safety representative Petri Vuorio said reported cases had multiplied during his nine years in the role. Eight years ago, the city received about 20 reports a month; now, one unit can file 50 in a month. More than a third of respondents to OAJ’s survey said they had experienced violence from children at work.

Vuorio said the reports are reviewed to check staffing levels, facilities and the support available. The article’s summary says many children who behave aggressively need additional support, and that strain can contribute to violent behaviour. Staff have called for smaller groups, more personnel and better support for children.

Tags: Tampere, early childhood education, workplace safety