Financial Support for Private Early Childhood Education and Care
You may choose either a service voucher or Kela’s private early childhood education and care (ECEC) allowance if you are applying for an ECEC place for your child in a private ECEC centre or a home-based childcare practitioner.
Service Vouchers
Service vouchers are a way to support local residents in the use of private ECEC facilities. If a family applies for a service voucher, they cannot simultaneously receive Kela’s private ECEC allowance. Those who have received a service voucher cannot simultaneously use open early education services.
The value of the service voucher is based on income. The value is calculated based on the same income limits as with municipal ECEC. Sibling discounts are also granted according to early childhood education customer fee legislation. If the early childhood education facility’s fees exceed the value of the service voucher, the family pays the rest.
Service Voucher Values in Early Childhood Education and Care from 1st of March 2024:
- child under 3-years old 1641 euros
- child over 3-years old 965 euros
Service Voucher Products in Early Childhood Education and Care from 1st of March 2024:
20 hours of early childhood education:
- child under 3-years old 902 euros
- child over 3-years old 531 euros
Part-time service (12-13 day/month or 21-29 hours/month):
- child under 3-years old 1149 euros
- child over 3-years old 676 euros
The Value of the Service Voucher in Home-based Childcare from 1st of March 2024:
- 912 euros
Home-based Childcare Service Voucher Products from 1st of March 2024:
- 20 hours of early childhood education 502 euros
- part-time service (12-13 day/month or 21-29 hours/month) 639 euros
Private Early Childhood Education and Care Allowance
You can receive private ECEC support if your child is cared for by a hired caregiver or a private care provider. The child must be under school age. Support cannot be received if the child is in municipal early childhood education and care. You can receive private care support at the earliest after the parental allowance has ended.
Private care support is applied for through Kela. Always contact the early childhood education service guidance team (private service coordinators) regarding matters related to applying for private care support at +358 8 558 45300 (press 1) or by email at varhaiskasvatus@ouka.fi.
Private care support includes care allowance and a care supplement. You can find more information about the amount and payment of private support on Kela's website.