The renewed National core curriculum for early childhood education and care drawn up by the Finnish National Agency for Education entered into force as from March 2022. ECEC providers updated the local curricula according to the National core curriculum and will implement them in August 2022.
The National core curriculum for ECEC is a national norm. Local curricula obligate ECEC personnel in early education centres, family daycare and open activities in ECEC to follow the underlying values, objectives and contents of the Act on early childhood education and care and the core curriculum.
The renewed core curriculum takes into account the changes that have taken place in society, in the operating environments of ECEC and in legislation as well as the latest information provided by research.
Underlying values in the national core curriculum
The general principle of ECEC in Finland is that the best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration. The child has a right to well-being, care and protection, and his/her opinion is considered in decision-making.
Equal and equitable treatment of all children as well as protection against discrimination are requirements, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Act on Early Childhood Education and Care and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Underlying values in the national core curriculum for ECEC are:
- Intrinsic value of childhood
- Growth as a human being
- Rights of the child
- Equity, equality, and diversity
- Diversity of families
- Healthy and sustainable way of living.