How Finland’s daycare system helped our little one grow, learn, and confidently adapt to a new life.
A New Beginning for Our Family
When we arrived in Finland in April 2024, we knew we were starting a brand-new chapter in our lives.
Everything was new to us… the weather, the language, the culture, and our careers. While my husband and I were preparing ourselves to work and continue building our future in Finland, we also had one very important concern… our daughter.
As parents, we wanted to make sure she would be safe, happy, and well cared for while we were at work. Little did we know that one of the greatest blessings we would discover in Finland was its excellent early childhood education and daycare system.
Looking back now, enrolling our daughter in daycare became one of the best decisions we made after moving here.
From Dubai to Finland: Our Adventure in Migration
Daycare in Finland is more than simply childcare. Early childhood education and care (varhaiskasvatus) is part of the Finnish education system and combines care, education, and teaching while supporting children’s growth, development, and learning. Learning through play is an important part of the Finnish approach, and municipalities are responsible for arranging early childhood education services.
Finding the Perfect Daycare
Shortly after we arrived, our hiring agency, Silkkitie, introduced us to a nearby daycare center.
When they said it was nearby, they truly meant it.
It was only about a 3-minute walk from our home, and we could even see the daycare building from our backyard.
Knowing our daughter was only a few steps away gave us tremendous peace of mind. Even while we were busy at work, we knew she was in a safe environment where she could learn, play, and make new friends.
For parents who have just moved to another country, that feeling of security is priceless.
Our First Visit
Before our daughter officially started daycare, we were invited to visit the facility.
From the moment we arrived, we immediately felt welcome.
The daycare manager (johtaja) warmly greeted us and personally showed us around the entire building. She patiently explained how everything worked and answered our questions, making us feel comfortable from the very beginning.
As first-time parents living in a completely different country, that warm welcome meant so much to us.
Our First Week in Finland: A New Beginning
A Safe and Child-Friendly Environment
Walking through the daycare, we were amazed by how spacious, clean, and well organized everything was.
The facility included:
- Bright and colorful playrooms
- Large activity areas
- Comfortable dining spaces
- Child-friendly toilets and washrooms
- Dedicated care and resting rooms
- A spacious indoor hall for group activities
- A large outdoor playground where children could safely play and explore
Every corner of the daycare was thoughtfully designed with children in mind.
It was easy to see that the environment encouraged learning through play while making every child feel safe, comfortable, and welcome.
Learning Through Every Stage of Childhood
One thing we really appreciated was how the daycare organized the children according to their age and developmental stage.
The younger children focused on learning through play, developing basic routines, and building social skills.
The older children enjoyed more structured learning activities that encouraged independence, creativity, communication, and preparation for preschool and primary school.
Because the daycare also provides shift-care services, it supports families whose work schedules extend beyond regular daytime hours. This flexibility is incredibly helpful for many working parents.
It was reassuring to know that every child received age-appropriate care and opportunities to grow at their own pace.
Caring Teachers Make All the Difference
One of the first things we noticed was how caring and attentive the teachers were.
They interacted with the children patiently, guided them through activities, and always created a positive atmosphere where everyone felt included.
We also noticed that there were enough teachers and caregivers to properly supervise the children, giving parents confidence that their little ones were safe while learning and playing.
As parents, there’s nothing more comforting than leaving your child in the hands of people who genuinely care.
That alone gave us peace of mind every single day.
A Day Filled with Learning and Fun
The children followed a structured daily routine that balanced learning, play, rest, and meals.
A typical day included:
- Breakfast
- Learning activities
- Arts and crafts
- Indoor and outdoor play
- Lunch
- Afternoon nap
- Afternoon snack
- More games and creative activities
- Dinner and an evening snack for children staying later due to shift care
Having a consistent routine helped the children feel secure while encouraging healthy habits and independence.
Every day offered new opportunities to learn, discover, and simply enjoy being a child.
The Importance of Nap Time
One feature that especially impressed us was the dedicated sleeping area.
Each afternoon, the children were encouraged to rest in a calm and peaceful environment.
At first, I thought this was just part of the schedule.
But I soon realized how valuable it really was.
Afternoon naps help children recharge, improve their mood, and support healthy growth and development. Even on busy days filled with exciting activities, they still had time to slow down and rest.
I truly appreciated how the daycare recognized that learning and rest are equally important for young children.
Encouraging Independence Every Day
Another wonderful thing about the daycare was how they encouraged children to become independent from an early age.
Simple everyday tasks became valuable learning opportunities.
The children were gently encouraged to:
- Wash their hands independently
- Eat on their own
- Put away their belongings
- Communicate their needs
- Practice daily routines
These may seem like small achievements, but for growing children, they’re important milestones that help build confidence and responsibility.
And as parents, it was amazing to witness those little accomplishments one by one.
Watching Our Daughter Grow
Our daughter started daycare when she was just two years old.
Like many toddlers her age, she still depended on us for many everyday tasks. She was wearing diapers, drinking milk from a bottle, and still needed help during mealtimes.
As parents, we wondered how she would adjust to a completely new environment, surrounded by a different language and unfamiliar faces.
Thankfully, our worries slowly faded away.
Day by day, we began to notice small but meaningful changes.
Little Milestones, Big Celebrations
One of the first milestones we celebrated was her toilet training.
At first, she still needed guidance, but after only a few months at daycare, she began telling her teachers when she needed to use the toilet.
Eventually, she became more confident and learned to recognize when she needed to go.
For many parents, this may seem like a simple achievement.
But for us, it was a huge milestone.
It reminded us that children often learn best when they’re surrounded by patient teachers, consistent routines, and positive encouragement.
Becoming More Independent
Before starting daycare, our daughter was still drinking powdered milk from a feeding bottle.
Not long after she began attending daycare, she happily transitioned to drinking from a regular cup.
Soon after, another milestone followed.
She learned to eat independently.
Watching her hold her own spoon and enjoy her meals without much assistance filled our hearts with joy.
These may seem like ordinary daily activities, but as parents, they’re the moments we’ll always treasure.
They reminded us that our little girl was growing up right before our eyes.
Learning Through Play
One thing we truly admired about the daycare was how learning happened naturally through play.
Every day brought something exciting.
The children enjoyed arts and crafts, singing, storytelling, outdoor adventures, games, and hands-on activities designed to develop their creativity and motor skills.
It never felt like formal classroom learning.
Instead, the children learned while laughing, exploring, and having fun together.
Looking through these photos today always brings a smile to my face.
You can see the happiness on our daughter’s face in every picture.
She was simply enjoying being a child.
And that’s exactly how childhood should be.
Her Finnish Language Journey
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was how quickly our daughter learned the Finnish language.
Children truly are incredible learners.
While my husband and I spent countless hours studying vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, our little one learned simply by playing, listening, and talking with her teachers and classmates every day.
Before we knew it, she was already understanding simple conversations.
Soon after, she began answering questions in Finnish with confidence.
Sometimes, she even understood things before we did!
There were moments when we looked at each other in amazement and thought,
“How did she learn that so quickly?”
It made us realize just how naturally children absorb language when they’re surrounded by a supportive and encouraging environment.
Today, hearing her speak Finnish so confidently continues to amaze us.
Learning Finnish: One Word at a Time
More Than Just Childcare
For our family, daycare became so much more than a place where our daughter stayed while we were at work.
It became a place where she learned…
A place where she grew…
A place where she built friendships…
A place where she became more confident…
It also gave us, as parents, peace of mind…
Knowing that she was spending her day in a safe, caring, and stimulating environment allowed us to focus on our work and, in my case, continue my studies with confidence.
As working parents, that support meant everything.
Adjusting to a New Life Together
Moving to Finland wasn’t only an adjustment for my husband and me.
It was an even bigger adjustment for our daughter.
Everything around her had changed.
A new country…
A new climate…
A new language…
New people…
A new culture…
A completely different way of life…
As parents, we naturally worried about how she would cope with such a big transition at such a young age.
Looking back now, we believe that daycare played a huge role in helping her adapt.
It gave her a sense of routine.
It helped her make friends.
It introduced her to the Finnish language in the most natural way possible.
Most importantly, it helped her feel that Finland wasn’t just a new country.
It had become her home, too.
Watching her laugh, play, learn, and grow gave us confidence that we had made the right decision in starting this new chapter of our lives.
Sometimes, children surprise us the most.
They remind us that with love, patience, and the right support, they can adapt far more quickly than we ever imagined.
Why Finland’s Daycare Made a Difference
Looking back, enrolling our daughter in daycare was one of the best decisions we made after moving to Finland.
As working parents, and with me balancing both work and my nursing studies, it gave us peace of mind knowing she was spending her day in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment.
But daycare gave us so much more than childcare.
It gave our daughter the opportunity to grow, become independent, build friendships, and develop skills that will stay with her for years to come.
Most importantly, it helped her embrace her new life in Finland with confidence and joy.
As parents, that’s all we could ever hope for.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We will always be grateful to the wonderful teachers, caregivers, and staff at our daughter’s daycare.
Thank you for welcoming our daughter with kindness, patience, and genuine care.
Thank you for encouraging her every day, celebrating her little achievements, and helping her become more confident and independent.
Your dedication goes far beyond teaching, you help shape young lives, build confidence, and create a safe place where children can learn, play, and simply enjoy being kids.
We will always treasure the memories she made during her first years in Finland, and your kindness will always be part of our family’s journey.
What We Loved Most About the Daycare
Looking back on our experience, these are the things we appreciated the most:
Only a three-minute walk from our home…
A safe, clean, and child-friendly environment…
Warm, patient, and caring teachers…
Learning through play, creativity, and exploration…
A structured daily routine that balanced learning, meals, rest, and fun…
Encouragement for children to become more independent…
A wonderful opportunity for our daughter to learn the Finnish language naturally…
A place where our little one always came home with a smile…
Every family’s experience is different, but for ours, these little things made a very big difference.
Our Favorite Daycare Memories
These are some of our favorite memories from our little one’s daycare journey in Finland.
Every smile, activity, and new experience reflects how much she learned, grew, and enjoyed her time with her teachers and friends.
Looking back at these moments fills our hearts with gratitude, knowing she spent her early years in such a caring, safe, and nurturing environment.
Final Thoughts
Moving to another country is one of the biggest decisions a family can make.
It means leaving behind familiar places, adjusting to a new culture, learning a new language, and starting life all over again.
As parents, we often worry about whether our children will adapt, make friends, and feel at home in a place that is completely unfamiliar.
Looking back on our journey, we can honestly say that daycare became one of the greatest blessings during our transition to Finland.
It wasn’t just a place where our daughter spent her days while we worked.
It became a place where she learned to become independent…
A place where she discovered new friendships…
A place where she learned a new language…
A place where she gained confidence…
And most importantly, a place where she felt loved, accepted, and cared for.
Seeing her grow into a happy, curious, and confident little girl reminds us that children are incredibly resilient. With love, patience, and the right guidance, they can flourish even in a completely new environment.
To every parent who is planning to move abroad or is just beginning a new chapter with young children, know that the journey won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it.
Children have an amazing way of teaching us to be brave.
They remind us that every new beginning is an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to embrace life with open hearts.
As for our family, Finland has become more than just the country we moved to.
It has become a place where our daughter took some of her first steps toward independence, discovered new friendships, and created beautiful childhood memories that we’ll cherish forever.
And for that, we will always be grateful.
“Every child blossoms in their own time when surrounded by love, patience, and encouragement.”
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
May God continue to watch over every child as they grow in wisdom, kindness, and confidence. May He bless every parent with strength, every teacher with patience, and every caregiver with a heart full of compassion. And may every child be surrounded by love, encouragement, and opportunities to flourish wherever life leads them.
Sources:
- Finnish National Agency for Education – Early Childhood Education and Care in Finland
- Finnish National Agency for Education – What Is Early Childhood Education and Care?
- City of Kuhmo – Early Childhood Education
- Moving to Finland: Why It Wasn’t Part of Our Original Plan
- Places to Visit in Kuhmo: A Summer Day at Roukonpuro Beach (Roukonpuron ranta)
- Places to Visit in Kuhmo: Discovering Local Nature and Everyday Beauty
- Places to Visit in Kuhmo: A Peaceful Afternoon by Lentiira River (Lentiiranjoki)
- Places to Visit in Kuhmo: Pajakkakoski Rapids
- Simple Blueberry Cheesecake Recipe
