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When a student whose native language is not Finnish or Swedish starts in basic education, a syllabus of either Finnish as a Second Language and Literature (S2) or Swedish as a Second Language and Literature (R2) will be chosen for him/her. The aim of the syllabus is to support the development of the child’s Finnish or Swedish skills.
The child can also study together with children who study Finnish or Swedish as a native language.
Native language education is aimed at students whose native language is not Finnish or Swedish and is meant to strengthen their linguistic skills and cultural identity. Students who have learned the language while living abroad can also participate in native language education.
Native language education is available in over twenty different languages, and classes typically take place after the school day in selected schools.
A disabled child or a child with special educational needs has the right to get the interpretation and assistance services, other educational services and special aids he or she needs free of charge in order to participate in the education. (Section 31 of the Basic Education Act) The assistance services needed by the schools are decided upon a request from the schools each year.
On schooldays the student gets a warm meal between 10.00 and 12.00. The meal covers approximately one third of a person’s daily food requirements.
Kaarea Oy sells snacks in secondary schools and in upper secondary schools when it is allowed. List of schools and information about snacks and payment options are available in Finnish.
A student will be offered a special diet if the reason is medical, religious or ethical.
Advice is available on weekdays for the following day care issues:
- municipal and private day care
- playgrounds and playschools
- drop-in day care centres
Service counsellors are available 9-12:
- by phone: 02 262 5610
- by email: varhaiskasvatus@turku.fi
- Early Childhood Education Chat
- Market Square Monitori 9 - 15.30 (on Wednesday 9 - 12)
In Turku, children attend one year of preschool education before their compulsory education starts.
• Preschool education groups operate both in day care centres and schools.
• There is four hours of preschool education per day between 8 and 13.
• The preschool education follows the preschool curriculum of the City of Turku.
• The contact information given is for the day care centre itself even if it is located within a school’s facilities.
• You will find the contact information for the day care centres in the “Units” section.
The Swedish Language Section of Education Committee is responsible for Swedish language services. The Swedish language services are directed by Liliane Kjellman.
VALMO is meant for students whose native languages are not Finnish or Swedish and prepares them for basic education. The students learn Finnish and other skills for approximately a year before transferring to local schools.
Students whose native languages are not Finnish or Swedish can choose between Finnish as a Second Language and Literature or Swedish as Second Language and Literature (S2).
OMO is education given in students’ native languages.
Special day care is for children with impaired possibilities for development, growth and learning. Discovering the child’s need for support at an early stage will contribute favourably to the child’s growth.
The supporting measures are usually organized in the child’s own day care centre or family day care. A child’s rehabilitation plan will be made for the child together with parents, day care personnel and other professionals. The day care personnel are responsible for compiling and implementing the plan.
Types of special group arrangements:
When it comes to foreign-language classes, the main focus is on achieving a comfortable level of using a foreign language in different situations, subjects and concepts. The language is not being taught per se; instead, the foreign language is used to learn a subject matter.
In foreign-language classes, the first two years emphasise understanding the language and building a foundation for foreign-language competence. Reading and writing skills are taught in the students' mother tongue (Finnish). The share of foreign-language instruction is approximately 50%.
Music classes provide students with readiness and inspiration for taking a comprehensive interest in music. Instruction begins with singing and playing musical instruments. A student starting out in a music class will need enthusiasm for singing, an ear for music, and a sense of rhythm. Previous ability to play an instrument or studies in music theory are not required.
Instruction consists of:
- Singing
- Playing musical instruments together
- Music theory and ear training
- Listening to music
Basic education refers to the general education for children between 7 and 16 years of age. It consists of year levels 1–9. Basic education is free of charge and aims to prepare and qualify students for secondary education. Further goals and the contents of basic education are defined in the curriculum.
In Turku, basic education is available in Finnish, Swedish and English in city-owned schools. In addition to the schools owned by the City of Turku, there are privately owned schools in the area.
A student’s home address determines which school they will attend.
There are various options for children’s day care in Turku:
• municipal day care and family day care
• private day care, family day care and group family day care
You can apply for a place for your child in day care using our electronic service. Please send your application at least four months before your child is due to start day care.
Parents always have the responsibility to teach their child to move safely in traffic. The way to school should be acquainted together with the child well beforehand.
School transportation is primarily provided with the City's public transportation bus card. The card can be loaded at the Public Transportation Service Office, Aurakatu 5.
Morning activities can be organised between 7:30 and 10:00 if at least 10 children participate in the activities. Morning activities may be terminated during the school year if the number of children permanently decreases to less than 10. Afternoon activities are organised between 11 and 17.
The activities are organised by the city, clubs, parishes and organisations in the vicinity of schools. Children are insured during the activities.
Family day care is organized at the childminder’s home.
In three-family day care 1–4 families form a circle. The children and the municipal childminder stay at each family’s home in turn. The family purchases and prepares the meals for the day, and the city in turn compensates for this. If needed, the city can borrow necessary equipment, for example a twin stroller.
The maximum size of a group for both forms of day care is four children, including the childminder’s own children.
Students are selected into the visual arts classes from all of Turku's school districts. Studies in the visual arts begin from third grade and continue throughout comprehensive school. The goals of art studies include:
Playschool and outdoor playschool activities are intended for children aged 3–5 years. The options are outdoor playschool, which lets the child experience nature and physical exercise, and indoor playschool. Activities are organized and target at supporting the growth and development of the child. One playschool teacher organizes the activities but there may also be other staff members participating if needed.
Activities for children aged 1.5–6 are organized at playgrounds on weekdays between 9.00 and 12.30.
To let your child play safely outdoors together with other children supervised by the playground attendants, please enroll via eVaka. Also please note that there will be no playground activities if temperature is -12 degrees Celsius or below.
Playground activities do not affect the day care allowances of Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland). Playground activities are free of charge.
The aim of the physical education class is to
- increase the possibilities to offer positive experiences to students interested and gifted in sports
- develop the students' basic skills
- introduce the students to different forms of exercise and different sports in cooperation with sport federations and local clubs
When it comes to foreign-language classes, the main focus is on achieving a comfortable level of using a foreign language in different situations, subjects and concepts. The language is not being taught per se; instead, the foreign language is used to learn a subject matter.
In foreign-language classes, the first two years emphasise understanding the language and building a foundation for foreign-language competence. Reading and writing skills are taught in the students' mother tongue (Finnish).