Starting school a year later or a year earlier

Parents or guardians can apply for their child to start school a year earlier or a year later. Applications must be submitted well in advance, so that the decisions can be made before the child's basic education starts.

Starting school a year later

A guardian can apply for permission for the child to start basic education a year later than what is statutory. The decision is based on a psychological and, if necessary, a medical report. The basic education district manager makes the decision on starting basic education a year later.

If the child starts school a year later, an extra year of pre-primary education will be organised at a daycare centre. After receivcing the decision, the guardian can apply for a pre-primary education place in a daycare centre by submitting an application to the daycare centre manager. For more information, ask your local daycare centre.

Application for starting school a year later, PDF in Finnish

Application for starting school a year later, PDF in Swedish

Starting school a year earlier

A child is entitled can start basic education one year earlier than what is statutory, if the child has the prerequisites to manage the studies based on psychological and, if necessary, medical reports. Guardians should seek and pay for the required expert statement before enrolling to school by themselves.

The decision on starting basic education one year earlier is made by the district manager for basic education. For more information, ask your local school.

You can check your local school by entering your home address or postal code on the Service Map.

Application for starting school a year earlier, PDF in Finnish

Application for starting school a year earlier, PDF in Swedish