Daycare and Education Guidance
The advisory services of the City of Helsinki’s Education Division provide general guidance on the division’s services, including school and daycare enrolment.
You can get free advisory services in Finnish and English. If needed, the service is also available in other languages through an interpretation service.
You can ask about:
- Early childhood education
- Playground activities
- Basic education (comprehensive schools, after-school activities, and school admission)
- General upper secondary schools and vocational education and training
- Enrolling in the City of Helsinki’s education services
Guide to early childhood education & care in Helsinki
School options for 15–18-year-olds in Helsinki
Information about the Finnish school system on This works! School Technology Project’s website
In-person daycare and education guidance
You can visit the Daycare and Education Guidance in person at the IHH service centre on Mondays from 9–16 between 13 October and 15 December 2025. You can drop in or book an appointment during the visiting hours.
Contact
Email: eduguidance@hel.fi
Phone: +358 931 053 754 (standard call charges apply), available Monday–Friday, 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–14:30
FAQ
You can find information about daycare, pre-primary education and different early childhood education options on the City of Helsinki’ website.
Basic education is compulsory for all children living permanently in Finland. It starts in the year a child turns seven. Before the beginning of basic education, children must attend one year of pre-primary education in the year they turn six.
Basic education covers grades 1-9. Compulsory schooling is until the age of 18, which means that after finishing basic education, young people will have to move on to study in upper secondary education.
