Pre-primary education is free-of-charge education provided for children in the year preceding the start of compulsory education. Early childhood education (ECEC), pre-primary education, and basic education together form a coherent and consistent whole in terms of the child’s development and learning and lay the foundation for lifelong learning.
Children of pre-primary education age participate in pre-primary education organized by the municipality. The children receive pre-primary education four hours a day, and during this time they are also provided with a meal. The school year in pre-primary education mainly follows the working days and holiday periods of schools.
Participation in pre-primary education is compulsory under the Basic Education Act. The guardian of the child is responsible for ensuring that the child participates in pre-primary education or in other activities achieving the objectives of pre-primary education during the school year preceding the beginning of compulsory education.