Support for development, learning and wellbeing

We support each child’s development, learning and wellbeing as part of everyday early childhood education and pre-primary education. We arrange support according to inclusive principles so that the child can participate in activities in their own group together with other children.

We plan support based on the child’s strengths and on needs related to development, learning and wellbeing. Support may include, for example, pedagogical arrangements, small-group activities, support provided by a special education teacher, assistant services or other support services based on the child’s needs. When necessary, we use flexible arrangements to support the child’s participation, learning and wellbeing.

We assess the child’s need for support together with the guardians. We also hear the child and take their views into account according to their age. We assess the need for support regularly and update support measures according to the child’s situation.

Consulting early childhood special education teacher

The consulting early childhood special education teacher (KVEO) is an expert in support for development, learning and wellbeing. They guide and support early childhood education staff and guardians in questions related to the child’s need for support.

The KVEO participates together with guardians and early childhood education staff in:

• assessment of the need for support
• planning of support
• implementation of support
• monitoring of support.

When necessary, we also cooperate with other specialists who support the child’s development, learning and wellbeing.

Decisions about support

In early childhood education, an administrative decision is made concerning intensified and special support as well as support services, based on an assessment of the child’s need for support.

In pre-primary education, an administrative decision is made regarding child-specific support measures.

In Janakkala, the consulting early childhood special education teacher prepares the administrative decision and ensures the hearing of the guardian or other legal representative. The head of early childhood education makes the administrative decision.

We also take possible expert statements into account in the preparation. We update the child’s early childhood education plan or the pre-primary education learning plan in accordance with the decision whenever the need for support or the level of support changes.

Early-start compulsory education

A decision on early-start compulsory education can be made for some children. In that case, compulsory education begins one year earlier than prescribed, in the year the child turns five.

A child covered by early-start compulsory education participates in pre-primary education for two years. The decision is based on the child’s individual needs. In the preparation, we use expert statements when necessary and work closely with the guardians.