National Curricula and Legislation

Summary

This video explores the Finnish Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) system, which includes both voluntary education for children under six and compulsory pre-primary education before they turn seven. The system is regulated by a national core curriculum and local curricula specific to municipalities, ensuring that educational approaches are tailored to local needs. Key to the system is the child's individual education plan, which personalizes learning targets and methods for each child. While pre-primary education is free, ECEC often involves a fee, providing a comprehensive approach to early education in Finland.

Takeaways

• 😀 Early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Finland focuses on education for children before they start compulsory basic education at age seven.
• 😀 ECEC includes voluntary education for children under six years old and compulsory pre-primary education for the year before starting basic education.
• 😀 Pre-primary education in Finland is free of charge for families, while early childhood education and care is generally subject to fees.
• 😀 Both ECEC and pre-primary education are regulated by national core curricula, which are mandatory and outline shared educational values and principles.
• 😀 Local curricula are developed by each municipality or city in Finland, helping to localize the educational aims and objectives to suit local needs.
• 😀 Every municipality and city must have its own local curriculum, which is also a mandatory document.
• 😀 A crucial pedagogical tool for educators in Finland is the child’s individual education plan, either for early childhood education and care or pre-primary education.
• 😀 The child’s education plan is designed to personalize the curriculum, setting specific educational targets for each child.
• 😀 The education plan includes pedagogical measures to be used with the child to achieve these targets, ensuring tailored learning experiences.
• 😀 The education plan also incorporates an evaluation process to assess the effectiveness of the pedagogy used for each child.

Q & A

What is the role of early childhood education and care (ECEC) in the Finnish context?

In Finland, ECEC focuses on education for children before they begin compulsory basic education. It includes both voluntary early childhood education for children under six and compulsory pre-primary education a year before children start basic education at age seven.

How does the Finnish education system distinguish between early childhood education and care and pre-primary education?

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is voluntary for children under six, while pre-primary education is compulsory for children in the year before they enter basic education at the age of seven.

Is early childhood education and care free in Finland?

No, early childhood education and care is generally subject to a charge for most families in Finland. However, pre-primary education is free of charge.

What are the main documents regulating early childhood education and care (ECEC) and pre-primary education in Finland?

ECEC and pre-primary education are regulated by different laws and curricula. Both are guided by a national core curriculum, which is an obligatory document that sets shared values and principles for education across the country.

What is the role of local curricula in Finnish education?

In addition to the national curriculum, local curricula are developed by municipalities or cities. These aim to adapt and localize the national goals, objectives, and emphases in education to suit local needs. Every municipality or city must have its own local curriculum.

What is a child's education plan, and why is it important in the Finnish system?

A child's education plan, whether for ECEC or pre-primary education, is a key pedagogical tool. It is designed for each child to personalize their curriculum. The plan outlines educational targets, pedagogical measures, and an evaluation of the implemented teaching methods.

Is the child's education plan specific to each individual in Finland?

Yes, every child in Finland has an individualized education plan. The plan aims to cater to the specific educational needs and development of the child.

What does the national core curriculum in Finland aim to achieve?

The national core curriculum in Finland provides guidelines and sets shared values and principles for education throughout the country. It ensures a unified approach to education while allowing for local adaptations.

How does pre-primary education in Finland differ from early childhood education and care (ECEC)?

Pre-primary education is compulsory and free of charge for all children, while early childhood education and care is voluntary and often involves a charge for most families.

How are pedagogical measures evaluated in Finland’s early education system?

Pedagogical measures are evaluated through each child's education plan. The plan includes an evaluation section where the effectiveness of the teaching strategies and their alignment with the child's educational goals are assessed.