As of 2 March 2026, Helsinki starts using a new electronic application system for early childhood education and pre-primary education. From now on, parents and guardians can apply for a daycare place for their child on the Edlevo e-service.
– Our aim is to make the information flow between homes and early childhood education more seamless. By directing the entire early childhood education pathway to one service, we can make everyday life easier for families, says Head of Early Childhood Education Miia Kemppi.
– The Edlevo e-service allows parents and guardians to apply for an early childhood education place and will soon also allow them to communicate with daycare centres directly.
Due to the change, the electronic exchange of messages between homes and daycare centres in Helsinki will gradually move to the Edlevo e-service.
So far, parents and guardians in Helsinki have been able to use the Edlevo e-service to report income information, apply to playground clubs and read decisions issued during early childhood education.
– Our experience has shown that centralising many functions in a single service has been an effective solution, says Head of Swedish-language services Niclas Grönholm.
Every year, thousands of families in Helsinki apply for early childhood education places for their children. In 2025, Helsinki received a total of 11,935 applications for early childhood education.
Applying for pre-primary education to change
Currently, applications for pre-primary education will be made using a PDF form. The form is submitted to Helsinki’s service guidance for early childhood education primarily by secure email, or by post.
With the development of the Edlevo e-service, the use of the Asti e-service in Helsinki's early childhood education will be discontinued.
