Swedish Preparatory Education
Preparatory education is for children aged 6 – 17 years, who have just moved to Finland, or whose Swedish or Finnish language skills are not yet on the necessary level for study in Finnish or Swedish speaking groups. Preparatory education is offered for a maximum of one year. During this year, pupils learn Swedish and the skills necessary for basis education. Every pupil receives their own education plan. Within the Swedish schools the preparatory education is offered within the regular class.
Here you will find more information about the Swedish preparatory education in Helsingfors.
If you want to find more information on preparatory education in Esbo, please contact Svenska bildningstjänster.
For more information about the Swedish schools in Vanda please phone 040 631 8731, for Grankulla contact the headmaster of the Swedish school Hagelstamska skolan.
S2- Swedish as a Second Language
If a child needs support in Swedish, they may be offered a place in a Swedish as a second language, S2, class. This means that instead of lessons in Swedish as a mother tongue, the child will receive lessons in Swedish as a second language, with more emphasis on learning the language. S2 instruction can put together children from different classes, and is provided by a specific S2 teacher who meets the child regularly in class. The teacher might teach children in several schools, so may not be available daily at the child’s school.
If a child is born in Finland, but has a parent with a different nationality, S2 education may be offered as an alternative. The parents are not obliged to put their child in S2 education, as it may limit the child’s choices in higher education, for instance. It depends on the child whether S2 or Swedish as a mother tongue will be the best option.
Support for Well-being and Learning
A child may need extra support for a specific issue, at a certain point in their education path, or continuously. Please be in touch with the child’s own teacher if you have any questions or concerns. Information on potential problems and support available at InfoFinland.
Helsingfors informs about student assistance and support.
Esbo writes about pupil welfare.
Vanda’s take on the issue, in Swedish.
Grankulla website has information in Swedish about support for growing and learning.
Guidance counselling is available for children at school in questions related to school and studies. Helsingfors information about guidance counselling can be found here. For Esbo, Vanda and Grankulla please be in touch with the school directly.
Student care services
School nurse
A school nurse is available for the children to visit should they have any health issues during the day. The nurse also conducts regular health checks for children at a certain age. Children also receive vaccinations according to the national vaccination program.
School doctor
A school doctor may be available on certain days for appointments. They carry out check-ups with all students of 1st, 5th, and 8th class.
School curator
The school curator is someone children can go to with their worries that are not necessarily directly related to health. The curator can help the children deal with their issues in one or several appointments, or they can take matters further to other professionals and/or the parents. Each school has a designated curator.
School psychologist
The school psychologist is available for matters requiring attention. There is not a psychologist in every school, but the services are provided when necessary.
About school curators and school psychologists in Helsingfors
About school curators and psychologists in Esbo
Dental care
Dental care is provided free of charge for children under the age of 18. Appointments with all students are given by the municipality for check-ups during 1st, 5th, and 8th class. The appointments are usually during the school day.
Information about dental care for children at InfoFinland.
Bullying and discrimination
Swedish schools have a relatively small number of pupils with an immigrant background. Systemic injustices, racism and discrimination are not always easy to recognise, especially for younger children. The schools do, however, take such cases seriously, and incidents should always be reported.
About Helsingfors anti-bullying program ABP13
KiVa anti-bullying programme
Non-discrimination ombudsman
Special needs education
Children with special needs are entitled to support in education. Special needs may include learning difficulties, dyslexia and ADHD.
Special needs teachers
If a child has an individual issue, they may receive an appointment with a special needs teacher who will further assess the support systems required.
Teaching assistant
Classrooms or individual students may have teaching assistants who help children in their learning, and provide support for the teacher.
Child Protection Services
If the school staff has a concern about a child they have the obligation to contact child protection services. The families are always listened to, and any decisions are taken together with the guardians when the child is not in immediate danger.
Support from Organisations and Associations
Different organisations offer support for parents. The support may be peer support, groups, chats, appointments with specialists, or other kinds of support.
Eftis and clubs
As school often finishes before parents are able to get their children, the schools organise activities for the children. There is a small fee, and there are different activities to choose from, often including a snack. Some afternoon clubs are organised by other associations in cooperation with the school.
Folkhälsan
Folkhälsan is a Swedish-language organisation that offers activities for children of all ages, as well as support and information for parents. Information on the activities is available mostly in Swedish, but the groups are open to parents of all backgrounds. In order to participate, please contact the contact person you will find at the bottom of the page.
Barnavårdsföreningen i Finland
Barnavårdsföreningen is a Swedish-language organisation which has different kinds of support available for parents free of charge. The website is mainly in Swedish, but questions are welcome in English, as well.
- Chat for parents to ask questions about parenthood, children’s development, support, and other issues. Questions are answered by experts.
- Appointments where you can meet experts at the organisation and discuss the issues that you have in mind
- Peer support groups for parents of children in different age groups, including teenagers
- Appointments to discuss and address children’s neuropsychological issues that do not need to be diagnosed
- After-school activities for children in classes 1-2
- The “Smooth Everyday Life” guide, published by ADHD-liitto ry and Barnavårdsföreningen, offers parents practical tips on how to reduce the stress of daily life. The guide is particularly helpful for parents with pre-school or primary school-age children that have challenges related to self-regulation or neuropsychiatric symptoms.