Preschool education

Preschool education in the 2026-2027 school year

Preschool education begins for children born in 2020. 

Statutory pre-school education is intended for all children under school age one year before the start of compulsory education. The responsibility for the child's participation lies with the guardian. Every child has the right to participate in pre-school education

Free preschool education is provided 19 hours per week during the school year. Preschool education generally follows the work schedule of schools and daycare centers. Education, meals and school supplies are free of charge for students, regardless of the preschool location.

Preschool units in the 2026-2027 school year
• Kotikuja kindergarten
• Nikkari kindergarten
• Kuivaniemi Kindergarten
• Harjuntähti Kindergarten (private)
• Hamina School
• Jaku school

Preschool working and holiday hours
Fall semester 12.8. - 22.12.2026 
Spring semester 7.1. - 5.6.2027

Autumn break 19.10.-23.10.2026 (week 43)
Christmas break 23.12.2026 - 6.1.2027
winter vacation 8.3.-12.3.2027 (week 10)
Easter 26.3.-29.3.2027
Ascension Thursday and the following Friday, May 6-7, 2027

Student enrollment

Preschool enrollment is carried out without a separate application or registration phase, and the child is assigned a preschool place. The buddy principle for everyone means that preschool students are placed in groups with future school friends who are transferring to the same nearby school.

The need for supplementary early childhood education also affects the child's future preschool place. Preschoolers who do not need supplementary early childhood education are admitted to school preschool groups. If the child's need for supplementary early childhood education ceases, the child is transferred to preschool organized by the school. If the child needs supplementary early childhood education during the preschool year, he or she is transferred to an early childhood education preschool group.

Decisions on preschool places will be sent no later than 27 February 2026. For children in early childhood education, the decision will be sent to the Daisy service system. A guardian can apply for a preschool place in a unit other than the one assigned to the student in accordance with the criteria for secondary admission. The criteria for secondary admission include health reasons, sibling grounds, 
preschool trip or other reason. If possible, the wish will be fulfilled. In this case, the guardian is responsible for the student's transportation.

See decision: Education Committee Minutes 18.12.2025/Section 54

Supplementary early childhood education

Preschool education is free of charge in kindergarten, but early childhood education outside of preschool hours is subject to a fee. More information about the fee categories for supplementary early childhood education can be found here. Customer fees | Iin municipality.

If a preschooler needs supplementary early childhood education, a place can be applied for through the Daisy electronic service. by 31.3.2026 February XNUMX.

Right to free transportation 

The municipality arranges transportation in accordance with the principles approved by the Education Board when the distance to preschool exceeds three kilometers. In addition, all school routes are assessed using the School Chalkboard method, and free transportation is also arranged for routes that are considered too dangerous. In these cases, a transportation decision is granted directly, and the guardian does not need to apply for it separately.

If the distance is less than three kilometers and the guardian applies for discretionary free school transport benefit in the Wilma system with the necessary expert opinions, he or she must apply for transport by May 31.5. More information about school transport and the principles applicable to it School transportation | Ii municipality.

• Preschool information 27.1.
• Preschool information for guardians
   

Contact information

For more information, please contact the Educational Services Service Guidance, tel. 040 6233 550, educational services [at] ii.fi (educational services[at]ii[dot]fi)

More detailed information about pre-school education in kindergartens and schools:
Nikkari Daycare Center: Regional Daycare Center Director Paula Kinnunen, tel. 040 357 7999
Kotikuja and Kuivaniemi daycare center: regional daycare center director Tiina Kallio, tel. 040 768 7883 
Hamina School: Principal Samuli Hanhisalo, tel. 040 6203255
Jaku School: Principal Jari-Jukka Jokela, tel. 050 3950 463