Support for parenthood

The regional social workers in early childhood education and care in Turku support families and guardians with children of early childhood education and care age. The service is intended for customers of day-care centres, open activities, clubs, organised playground activities, and family day care.

You can contact a social worker if you need advice on parenthood and family services or if you want to discuss your child’s or family’s life situation. No question is too small or too big so don’t hesitate to get in touch. The discussions with the social workers are confidential and nothing is written down.

Social workers cooperate closely with other early childhood education and care actors, such as child health clinics and their family workers, social services, the Immigration Office and counsellors in pre-primary education. Regional social workers also organise theme nights for guardians. Social workers do not make home visits.

Free support

You can contact your local social worker either by phone or email to schedule a call time or an appointment. The social workers try to respond to contacts within a few days. The service is free of charge for families.

Each social worker has their own area of operation in Turku. If you are not sure which area you belong to, you can ask for more information from your child’s day-care centre.

You can also talk to the social worker to get an interpreter for the meeting.

In Turku, special needs teachers in early childhood education and care provide support for the growth, development and learning of children at all levels of support.  If necessary, special needs teachers in early childhood education and care participate in meetings about the child together with the guardians.

Special needs teachers in early childhood education and care work in close cooperation with other ECEC staff and cooperate with different experts to evaluate, plan and implement support for the child according to their needs.

In Turku, special needs teachers in early childhood education and care work have various job descriptions. Special needs teachers in early childhood education and care in the region prepare administrative decisions on support for children.