In Helsinki every fifth child in day care has one parent staying at home

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Based on a survey made by the City of Helsinki, the number of children in municipal day care with at least one parent staying at home was about 3,400 at the beginning of September. In other words, 18 % or almost one fifth of all children in municipal care have one or both parents who do not work outside the home. Close to 2,500 of such children were in full-time care.
      After the public debate on the absolute right to municipal day care for all families had begun, The City of Helsinki’s Social Affairs Department studied the family background of the children in municipal day care.
     
The report is based on the assessments of the personnel at the day care centres at the beginning of September, whereas it does not cover the reasons for the parents’ solutions comprehensively.
      According to the survey, over 400 children were placed in full-time care because of special needs or child support activities while at least one of their parents stayed at home. The primary reason for full-time care for about 600 children was their immigrant background.
      On the other hand, close to 1,500 children were in full-time care for some other reasons. This figure covers about 7.5 % of all children under school age who are in day care. One or both parents of over 400 children were unemployed. Over 500 children had a parent on maternity or parental leave after the birth of a younger child. Furthermore, close to 500 children had a parent who was on child-care leave or who had some other reason to stay at home.
     
The number of the children in part-time care who had one or both parents staying at home was close to 1,000. Over 400 of them participated in pre-school education. Part-time care means a maximum of five hours per day in day care.
      The total number of children in the City of Helsinki’s day care centres was slightly over 19,000 at the beginning of September. Of them 17,600 children were in full-time care and 1,540 in part-time care.
      Currently, a national survey is being conducted on how many children in municipal day care have parents who do not work outside the home. The sample of close to 30 municipalities will include even Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa. 


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Opinions in Helsinki split over right to day care (7.9.2004)

Links:
  Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Helsingin Sanomat