Frequently asked questions
It can be difficult to decide the most suitable day care option for your family. In order to assist you, we have answered some frequently asked questions below.
We are happy to assist you with any questions you might have regarding the kindergarten. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
How much is the daycare in the english kindergarten?
“Enkku” is part of the Joensuu day care system. The city day care office grants Joensuu families assistance for private day care, so our fees are the same as in the municipal day care. The Early Childhood Education fee is determined by:
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Daycare time reservations
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Parental income and family size
The Joensuu city municipal voucher size is determined by the amount of the family's fees.
An additional membership fee of the parents association is 100 € / term.
Please contact varpal@jns.fi to apply
At what age should my child start Enkku?
We offer early childhood education and preschool education to children aged from 3 to 6 years. Occasionally it is possible for a
child to start at the kindergarten even if they have not yet turned three.
Does my child need to know English before she/he starts in Enkku?
There is no need for previous knowledge of English language.
What are the opening and vacation times of Enkku?
We are open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 4.30pm. The kindergarten is closed for the whole of July and during the festive season (Christmas through New Year). During the local school holidays (one week in October and one week in March) we might keep the kindergarten open, if there are enough children in need of care.
What is the typical day like?
The doors of the kindergarten open at 7.30am and all the children are expected to be dropped off by 8.50am. Upon arrival the children may play games, draw or listen to stories. We will provide the children with a small breakfast from 8:00 to 8:30. It usually consists of oatmeal or bread with cheese. At around 9am we all gather together for the “morning circle”, our daily morning session. The kindergarten also provides the children with lunch and an afternoon snack. The morning circle is followed by guided activities: the pre-schoolers move on to the classroom and the rest have their own learning or other session, such as doing crafts. After lunch children go outside to play. Most children do not have a daytime nap at the kindergarten, but if your child is used to having a nap after lunch, we are able to provide a quiet space for resting and sleeping. In the afternoon we have a snack and the children have some free playtime. In the late afternoon we all go outside before the children get picked up and it is time to go home. The kindergarten closes every day at 4.30pm.
The quality of private daycare? Who supervises?
In Finland, private day care providers must comply with the same quality standards as the municipal day care providers. Joensuu City Council inspects and regulates private day care services.
Our curriculum is based on, and complies with, the national core curriculum for pre-primary education, as well as the curriculum provided by the local authority.
Please read more about the Finnish national core curriculum for pre-primary education here: [linkki: http://www.oph.fi/english/curricula_and_qualifications/pre-primary%20_education ]