Finland

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Finnish social services minister defends day care rights

Finland's minister of health and social services, Liisa Hyssälä (centre), wishes to see the right of every child to a day care place upheld. Speaking in Helsinki on Thursday following the receipt of a progress report from the advisory committee on early childhood education and care, Ms Hyssälä said that she hoped to see a rise in the availability of open day care centres, part-time care and children's clubs.

The minister also emphasised her opinion that day care should not be seen as a service to help parents meet the demands of their jobs, but rather as a means to improve a child's development and well-being.

Prior to the forthcoming elections, the question of a child's right to a day care place if one of the parents is not working has come under scrutiny.

The ministry for health and social affairs is currently undertaking to formulate a nation-wide report on early childhood education and care. Ms Hyssälä has also called on parents to discuss their day care wishes. The minister noted that often the option of part-time care or a children's club might meet the needs of certain families better than full-time day care.

EFFORTS TO SALVAGE FAMILY DAY CARE

The future for family day care provision does not look bright, given that approximately 60 per cent of current family day care providers are to retire by the year 2020. Many families favour family day care over nursery for very young children and Ms Hyssälä is directing efforts at encouraging local authorities to improve the remuneration for family day care providers and to ensure effective administration and guidance of the service.

The progress report also found that local authorities are currently failing to provide adequate substitute carer services for nurseries, and notes that local authorities should consider taking on permanent substitute carers to fill the void.

Comment: The right of a child to "have" a childcare spot is a new one on Americans. I thought this was interesting too.