Hello, Early Childhood Education Teachers! Are you interested in working in a public daycare in Finland, known for its high-quality education system? We offer a permanent full-time position, competitive salary, great employee benefits, free Finnish language training, apartment, relocation support, and a clear pathway to living and working in Finland. Whether you are an experienced Early Childhood Education Teacher or newly qualified, we at the City of Helsinki would be delighted to hear from you!

In Finland, ECE teachers are highly trusted professionals. You have significant autonomy in planning pedagogical activities and are encouraged to use your professional expertise in everyday work. You support the holistic development of children aged 0-6 in an inclusive, child-centred environment. You work in a multi-professional team, sharing responsibility for children’s wellbeing and learning.

In Finland, ECE is part of the national education system and follows the Educare model, integrating care, education and teaching (read more from the Finnish National Agency for Education: https://www.oph.fi/en/education-system/early-childhood-education-and-care-finland ). In practice, this means that:
• Every moment is pedagogical
• Play is the foundation of learning
• Learning happens throughout the whole day
• Nature and outdoor environments are used year‑round
• Children’s interests and questions guide learning

Your core responsibilities:
• Plan, implement and assess play-based learning activities
• Lead your group’s pedagogical work together with childcare nurses
• Observe and document children’s learning and development
• Create and update individual learning plans in collaboration with families
• Collaborate with colleagues and multidisciplinary professionals
• Design inspiring learning environments indoors and outdoors

Our daycare units' opening hours range between 6:15-17:30, depending on families’ needs. As a full-time teacher you work 38.25 hours per week Monday-Friday.

We are looking for professionals who connect well with others and are open to learning and professional growth. You value teamwork and recognise that high-quality pedagogy is built together. You will enjoy this role if you want to fully use your pedagogical expertise and appreciate professional trust and autonomy. You are an advocate of play-based learning and see learning opportunities in everyday moments. As a professional you are reflective, curious and resilient.

Qualification and other requirements to start the Finnish language course in February 2027:
• Right to work in Finland, for example, on the basis of EU/EEA citizenship
• At least Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education
• At least level B2 in English language
• Willingness and ability to commit to learning Finnish language prior to employment contract and relocation. The working language in our daycares is Finnish. During the language course we test your language skill development regularly.

Requirements to enter into a permanent employment contract in January 2028:
• Reaching target level B1 in Finnish language
• Decision from the Finnish National Agency of Education demonstrating eligibility to work as an ECE teacher in Finland
• Criminal record extract from the Legal Register Centre
• Proof that you do not have respiratory tuberculosis

We can only enter into a permanent employment contract with you if you meet all the above requirements.

We provide comprehensive support to make your relocation to Finland as smooth as possible:
• Assistance with degree recognition process
• Remote Finnish language training (10 months, part-time, 4x90min lessons every week + 4-8h/wk independent study, homework and assignments) which you can complete alongside your current employment
• Pre-departure training also includes practical information about working and living in Finland
• Support in registrations with Finnish authorities upon arrival (also for relocating family members)
• Assistance in finding an apartment. As a City of Helsinki employee, you can rent a City-owned apartment and no rental deposit is required.

Language training and relocation schedule:
• Feb'27-Dec'27: Finnish language training remotely. Attendance and active participation is essential.
• Jan'28: Relocation to Finland and starting work.

Salary and benefits:
• Starting salary: €3,298/mth +3-8% experience-based supplements for 5-10 yrs of relevant experience
• ePassi benefit: €550/year (sports, culture, wellbeing, commuting)
• Comprehensive private occupational health care
• Paid annual leave: 23-28 days + 5 extra days for qualified teachers
• Holiday bonus pay

Watch our teachers who have already relocated share their experiences of pedagogical work, life in Finland, and the support they received in the relocation process:
• Álvaro and Eva: https://youtu.be/KhcaHeu-xLc
• Melissa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eyjJjnxRiY
• Yaiza: https://youtu.be/4IPA8d0pkI4

We warmly welcome you to join a workplace that values your expertise and recognises the potential in both you and the children!

Please note:
(ENG) If you are already living in Finland and hold a degree in early childhood education obtained abroad, please do not apply through this path. Instead, explore our other employment opportunities at www.helsinkirekry.fi and https://www.hel.fi/en/open-jobs/for-education-professionals or contact us at rekry.kasko@hel.fi.
(FIN) Jos asut jo Suomessa ja sinulla on ulkomailla suoritettu varhaiskasvatuksen tutkinto, älä hae tähän polkuun. Tutustu sen sijaan muihin työpaikkoihimme osoitteessa www.helsinkirekry.fi ja työllistymispolkuihimme osoitteessa https://www.hel.fi/en/open-jobs/for-education-professionals , tai ota meihin yhteyttä: rekry.kasko@hel.fi.

Please note: Applications must be submitted IN ENGLISH using the application form attached to this job advertisement. We will conduct interviews during the application period, so we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.

If you need additional information about this job opportunity, please contact:
Kati Mhone
Lead HR Specialist, International Recruitment & Talent Services
hite@hel.fi

We recommend you register to our info session where you will learn everything you need to know about the recruitment and our offer:
20 October 2026 19:00-20:00 EEST (Finland, Greece) / 18:00-19:00 CEST (Spain mainland) / 17:00-18:00 WEST (Ireland)
Join here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/312424395611090?p=uJOwiABt7Ck1SzqNu2

Education Division, Early childhood education and preschool education

We make every day the most important day in the world!

High-quality education and training are the foundation of a well-functioning city and a good life. We are Finland's largest and most influential provider of early childhood education, pre-primary and basic education, general upper secondary education, vocational education and training and liberal adult education. With 15,000 professionals, we build lifelong learning paths for Helsinki residents.

We want to be the capital of education and training and a trendsetter in pedagogy. We share our knowledge and boldly develop our work together. We value work-life balance. We let everyone be themselves!

Join us in educating the Helsinki of tomorrow!

Get to know us at hel.fi/educationdivision and on social media #helsinkioppii #helsinkilearns