Preschool Transportation
Preschool transportation organization follows the same general principles as school transportation organization (Basic Education Act § 32). A guardian always has to apply for preschool transport benefit for over 5 km trips and when Koululiitu conditions are met. The Koululiitu method estimates the safety of preschool transport.
If the preschool pupil's school trip from home or from early childhood education institution is longer than five kilometers, the pupil is entitled to free transportation. The preschool pupil has a right to transport benefit only for direct trips to and from preschool.
If the pupil participates in supplementary early childhood education before or after preschool, transport benefit to and from preschool will not be granted.
Transportation is arranged if:
- Distance is longer than 5 kilometers in one direction.
- Trips between home and preschool or between daycare and preschool.
- Koululiitu safety requirements are not met (travel is not safe)
- Travel is deemed too difficult, exhausting, or dangerous for the child by the professional statement of a doctor, social worker, or psychologist.
- Travel from family day care to preschool and back with specific reason, considering the local circumstances (local school policy). For example, if there are no daycare centres that offer preschool education in the area and the preschool place is located in the child’s future school.
The city of Oulu's preschool transport benefit application and granting principles are explained below (Board of Education 17.12.2024 § 103). You may also read the School Transport Guide here (in Finnish).
Applying for transportation benefits
Transportation benefit is applied for with a specific form. The form can be downloaded on this webpage.
The application requires an attachment of a statement from the preschool’s manager/principal, or an expert statement (doctor, social worker, psychologist). Expert statement does not obligate the city to provide transportation, but it is taken into account in decision-making.
The application form must be delivered to the daycare centre or school that provides preschool education by May 15 once the preschool spots are confirmed.
Granting Transportation Benefits
Transportation benefit decisions for trips over 5 km are made by the daycare centre's director/principal.
When applying for elective preschool transportation benefit, the daycare director will check the conditions of the applications, prepares a statement and the regional manager / early childhood education service director will make the decision.
If needed, you can prepare expert statements for your application (doctor, psychologist, occupational therapist, social worker). Expert statements do not oblige the city to organize transportation, but they can be used to help decision-making.
Transport to early childhood education is not organized.
The transport can be shared or separate transport by bus or taxi. It is possible that transportation cannot be provided for the entire journey: the trip may consist of the child walking or being accompanied by a guardian to a shared pick-up site and back.
Temporary Need for Transportation
Temporary transportation to preschool because of sickness or accidents etc., are authorized by the daycare manager/principal.
A doctor's statement for transport need and duration must be presented if needed.