Support for child development and learning

In Oulu, development and learning support is organized as a part of the daily activities of early childhood education and care. Primarily, the care is provided in the child's own daycare centre, preschool or family day care group. The need for support assessment and providing it are included in the early childhood education and care plan, which is created together with the guardians.

In Oulu, a special education teacher is appointed for each daycare centre. They will join the child group and take part in the educational discussion together with the daycare staff regularly and when needed.

If you are worried for your child's development or learning, please discuss it with your child's daycare centre staff or family day carer. Do not hesitate to contact the special education teacher as well.

Special Education Teacher Contact Information

Northern Region

Regional Support Service Manager Riikka Lukkari tel. 040 152 8472

Kaisu Peltomäki p. 040 703 6204
Tuulikello
Margit (Päivi) Hietala-Joensuu p. 050 435 5989
Jatulin Tarha, Pilke Wilhelmiina
Heidi Jussila p. 040 193 5031
Länsituuli
Jenni Kunnari-Jaakkola p. 050 390 0031
Kello, Linnunrata
Tarja Rosendahl p. 050 438 1314
Ruiskukka
Jenni Hurskainen p. 050 420 1567
Ruiskukka (ryhmäveo)
Tarja Kuvaja p. 050 411 4624
Ritaharju
Mari Haapala p. 040 183 9029
Pikkutuuli, Taikametsäntarha
Sari Lehtola p. 040 482 6784
Kuivasjärvi, Pilke Usva
Laura Tuovila p. 040 169 9505
Ahvenoja, Pöllökangas, Saturnus
Niina Juntunen p. 040 167 9233
Palokka, Riekonmarja, Ruiskukka
Anni Heikkinen p. 040 190 8984
Kolistajantie, Teknologiakylä, Touhula Ritaharju
Sanna Kälkäjä p. 040 198 5924
Jatulintarha (ryhmäveo)
Emmi Luomansuu p. 040 558 4957
Martinniemi, yksityiset pph Haukipudas
Maria Eklöf p. 040 687 9760
Asema, Länsituuli
Riikka Vílen p. 040 353 3365
Herukka, Kiviniemi, yksityiset pph
Laura Palosaari p. 050 371 5186
Herukka (ryhmäveo)
Maija Taipale p. 040 190 6547
Kuivasranta, Touhula Lystivekara, Touhula Taikavekara

Southern Region

Regional Support Service Manager Sanna Nissilä tel. 044 703 9196

Oili Kauppi-Pasma p. 050 591 4726
Kuukkeli, Touhula Metsokangas
Johanna Koskinen p. 040 198 4736
Heikkilänkangas, Mäntyrinne, perhepäivähoito
Hanna-Mari Laamanen p. 050 364 1930
Savotta-aukio
Leena Karjalainen p. 050 344 7068
Mäntypelto, Villivadelma
Anne Kokko p. 050 347 5181
Merikotka, Vaskitie
Anna Kilpiö p. 050 347 2581
Oulunlahti, Piilikujan ryhmäperhepäiväkoti, Sarasuo
Merja Miesmaa p. 044 703 5307
Kaakonpoika, Vekaralinna, Pikkulinna, Metsälinna
Leena Heikkuri p.040 153 5049
Metsokangas, Touhula Tähtivekara, Pilke Viljami
Liisa Rounioja p. 050 438 1052
Maikkula, Kangaskontio, Kristillinen Toivo
Heidi Haataja p. 040 353 6050
Knuutilankangas, Lämsänjärvi, Pilke Emilia, Touhula Hiirulaisenkuja
Sanna Kinnunen p. 040 355 4051
Niemenranta, Neptunus
Johanna Jaakkola p. 040 190 5351
Merikotka, Vaskitie
Marjaana Kittilä p. 050 371 5753
Merikotka (Tiirat)
Henna Lammassaari p. 044 703 5307
Pitkäkangas, Saloila, Puotitonttu
Rina Korhonen p. 040 587 6381
Pitkäkangas (Vekkulit)
Lea Karjalainen p. 040 509 9092
Salonpää, Tähtelä, Touhula Oulunsalo

Central region:

Alueellisen tuen palveluvastaava Linda Lahti p. 044 703 9575

Irene Keskikallio p. 040 526 1487
Merikoski, perhepäivähoito
Tiina Puolakka p. 044 703 5435
Kalliola, Touhula Lipporanta
Reetta Sallmén p. 040 185 2787
Kangaspuisto, Eväsreppu, Laululintu
Mervi Kinisjärvi p. 044 703 5325
Kisakenttä
Anna Hyöky p. 040 191 3327
Ainola, Välkkylä, Vihreä Talo, Starbright
Outi Hilakivi p. 040 538 6278
Kastellin monitoimitalo, Kastelli, Musiikkipäiväkoti Taikatahti
Unna Majava p. 050 596 9460
Sampola, Sampolan LASTU, Touhula Linnanmaa
Aino Mähönen p. 040 679 0988
Pikku-Aino, English Speaking playschool of Oulu, Touhula Tullipuomi
Jaana Pelttari p. 040 617 5470
Allinpuisto, Otokylä, Riihitonttu
Minna Sulasalmi p. 040 350 9306
Pikku-Iikka, alueellinen pienryhmä
Miia Kosunen p. 040 152 8203
Värttö, Taikapursi
Pauliina Lakka p. 044 703 5324
Koskela, Pyykösjärvi
Tarja Lehtinen p. 050 528 1861
Puolivälinkangas, Steiner Taivonkaari
Heidi Hurskainen p. 040 151 1992
Simpsi, Touhula Toppilansalmi
Emilja Siltala p. 040 578 1523
Heinätori, Pallero
Anni Yppärilä p. 044 703 5311
Kaijonharju, Steiner Punavarpunen
Anu Kirstinä p. 040 763 0559
Mäntylä-Snellman, Kaarnalaiva
Kati Moring p. 040 542 3543
Syynimaa, Taskila, Villentarha
Jenni Keränen p. 040 191 6442
Pikku-Iikka, Saksanpähkinä, Montessorileikkikoulu, Svenska Barnträdgården
Minna Nissinen p. 040 152 8203
Meri-Toppila, Verso

Eastern Region

Regional Support Service Manager Ulla Netsäinen tel. 050 575 3636

Laura Sistonen p. 040 184 8678
Talvikangas, Touhula Hönttämäki
Leena Ryhänen p. 050 371 8853
Huvikumpu, Saarela
Miina Puhuri p. 040 159 3013
Soittajankangas, Touhula Kivikkokangas
Minna Heikkilä p. 040 162 5806
Ylikiiminki, Vesala, Pikku-Vesainen, Piilometsä
Nina Ollikainen p. 050 388 6903
Hiukkavaaran päiväkoti Taikapolku, Pilke Soittajankangas
Anni Savikuja p. 040 508 5047
Myllyoja, Talvikangas
Marjaana Kössö p. 040 182 1390
Haapalehto, Satusiipi
Paula Kortesalmi p. 040 028 5414
Kiiminkijoki, Muurahainen, Yli-Ii
Pia Blankenstein p. 040 834 8123
Hintta, Pilke Tasku
Pirre Pakanen p. 040 663 4438
Hanhenmarssi, Hiukkavaaran Taikapolku, Pilke Kanttarelli, Pilke Pikkukiulu
Riitta Elo p. 040 718 2022
Vaskikangas, Pilke Soittajankangas
Satu Helke p. 050 573 4687
Välikylä, Touhula Satumetsä
Tarja Kuivala p. 040 509 0238
Hönttämäki, Touhula Hönttämäki
Veera Manninen p. 040 149 5087
Korvensuora, Huonesuo, Runokerä
Mervi Hansen-Haug p. 040 154 3627
Honkimaa, Loikkeliini, Metsämansikka
Noora Johansson p.044 703 5309
Vekara-aho, Mansikkamaa, Ahomansikka
Minna Rossi-Salow p. 040 184 3533
Laivakangas, Tuokkonen
Marika Koppelo p. 040 358 9764
Laivakangas, Tuokkonen
Minna Lampinen p. 040 358 5390
Vekara-aho (ryhmäveo), Tipitii
Henna Seluska p. 040 546 5043
Soittajankangas (ryhmäveo)

Different forms of support

Pedagogical forms of support include:

Solutions related to the structure and daily rhythm of the day of early childhood education and care, such as small group activities, order of the day with pictures
Solutions related to learning environments
Necessary special pedagogical methods
Sensitive and accessible ways of interaction and communication, such as the use of signs and pictures, technological solutions
Practices on how children can participate in peer group activities, such as taking accessibility into account planning, observing, documenting and evaluating early childhood education activities

Structural assistance takes the form of:

Strengthening competence related to the implementation of support and special pedagogy
Solutions related to the size and structure of personnel, the personnel structure of the group can be strengthened, for example, with a special education teacher in early childhood education
Solutions related to the size and structure of child groups, reducing the number of children will change the ratio between staff and children so that child support can be implemented as planned
Interpretation and assistance services, use of assistive devices and consideration of accessibility
Small or special group or other necessary group form
Part-time or full-time teaching or consultation of a special education teacher in early childhood education

Therapeutic forms of support include:

Methods related to basic care, care and assistance
Health care needs, e.g. assistance and aid related to the treatment of chronic diseases, medication, diet and physical activity
Overall assessment of the child's situation and planning support on a case-by-case basis
The child's medication or medical treatment is not dependent on the level of support referred to in the Act on Early Childhood Education and Care, but treatment is provided regardless of the level of support according to the child's needs

General, enhanced and special support

General support in early childhood education and care

Children participating in early childhood education and care have the right to receive general support required for their individual development, learning and well-being as part of the basic activities of early childhood education and care without delay when the need for support arises. General support consists of individual forms of aid.

All children are entitled to universal support, but not everyone needs it
General support is the first way to meet a child's support needs
General support is part of high-quality early childhood education and care

Enhanced support for early childhood education

If general support support is not sufficient or the child needs stronger support, support must be provided as intensified support according to the child's individual needs.

Intensified support consists of several forms of support implemented on a regular basis and implemented simultaneously.

Special support in early childhood education and care

If general or intensified support is not sufficient or the child needs support due to an injury, illness, developmental delay or other need for learning or development support that significantly reduces his/her functional capacity, support must be provided as individually planned special support.

Specific support consists of several forms of support and is continuous and full-time.

Support services in early childhood education and care

If the child's need for support so requires, they have the right to receive consultation and instruction provided by a special education teacher in early childhood education and care, as well as interpretation and assistance services and aid required for participation in early childhood education and care.

Transport Application for a Child Needing Special Support (in Finnish)

pdf 266.32 KB

Picture: Mika Kolehmainen

Support for child development and learning

Special Education Teacher Contact Information

Northern Region

Southern Region

Central region:

Eastern Region

Different forms of support

Pedagogical forms of support include:

Structural assistance takes the form of:

Therapeutic forms of support include:

General, enhanced and special support

General support in early childhood education and care

Enhanced support for early childhood education

Special support in early childhood education and care

Support services in early childhood education and care

City of Oulu, Finland

Oulu in your language

See also

Support for child development and learning

Special Education Teacher Contact Information

Northern Region

Southern Region

Central region:

Eastern Region

Different forms of support

Pedagogical forms of support include:

Structural assistance takes the form of:

Therapeutic forms of support include:

General, enhanced and special support

General support in early childhood education and care

Enhanced support for early childhood education

Special support in early childhood education and care

Support services in early childhood education and care

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