Add eVaka to Your Phone’s Home Screen
From 13 October 2026, you can add eVaka to your phone’s home screen and receive eVaka notifications directly on your device. When you enable notifications, you will quickly be informed about new messages, decisions, and other important updates.
eVaka works in a web browser, so there is no need to download a separate app. This feature is available on both Android and iOS devices (iPhone and iPad).
What's changing?
Important information about your child’s early childhood education and care will be shown as notifications on your phone. You will receive a notification, for example, when:
- a message or announcement is sent from your child’s early childhood and care (ECEC) centre
- attendance reservations are missing or a holiday survey is about to close
- a new event is added to the calendar
- it is time to book a discussion appointment, or a booked appointment is approaching
- you receive a new decision or document.
When you tap a notification, eVaka opens directly to the relevant section, such as the message or calendar entry.
How to enable the feature on an Android phone
- If you have already added eVaka to your home screen, remove the old icon.
- Open eVaka in the Chrome browser at varhaiskasvatus.ouka.fi and sign in.
- Tap "Add eVaka to Home Screen" when eVaka suggests it. You can also select "Install app" or "Add to Home Screen" from the browser menu.
- Open eVaka from the home screen icon.
- Tap "Enable" and allow notifications when your phone asks for permission.
We recommend using the Chrome browser on Android devices. If you use another browser, the setup steps may differ from these instructions, or the browser may display a warning when adding eVaka to the home screen.
You can test notifications by tapping "Send Test Notification". Instructions and notification settings can also be found later on the Personal Information page.
How to enable the feature on an iOS device (iPhone or iPad)
- If you have already added eVaka to your home screen, remove the old icon.
- Open eVaka in the Safari browser at varhaiskasvatus.ouka.fi and sign in.
- Tap the Share icon in the browser.
- Scroll down in the Share menu and select "Add to Home Screen". Then tap "Add".
- Open eVaka from the new home screen icon and sign in again.
- Tap "Enable" and allow notifications when your phone asks for permission.
Note: On iPhone, notifications only work when you open eVaka from the home screen icon. Notifications will not work if you use eVaka in a Safari browser tab.
You can test notifications by tapping "Send Test Notification". Instructions and notification settings can also be found later on the Personal Information page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to download an app from the app store?
- No. eVaka is added directly to your phone’s home screen from the browser.
Will I still receive email notifications?
- Yes, if you want to. On the Personal Information page, you can choose for each notification type whether you want to receive notifications by email, on your phone, both, or neither.
Will I receive notifications even if I am not signed in to eVaka?
- Yes. Notifications are sent to the device where you have enabled them, even when you are not signed in to eVaka.
Can two guardians receive notifications on the same device?
- No. A device can only receive notifications for one person at a time. If another person signs in to eVaka on the same device, notifications for the previous user will stop. Each guardian can enable notifications on their own device.
I am not receiving notifications. What should I do?
- Make sure that you are opening eVaka from the home screen icon and that notifications are enabled. If you accidentally blocked notifications, you can allow them again in your phone’s settings:
- iPhone: Settings > Notifications > eVaka > Allow Notifications
- Android: Settings > Apps > eVaka > Notifications
How do I stop receiving notifications?
- You can disable notifications for each device individually on the Personal Information page. On the same page, you can also choose which types of notifications you would like to receive.
Email notifications will continue to work as before. On the Personal Information page, you can choose for each notification type whether you want to receive it by email, on your phone, both, or neither.