Educators in Finland raise concerns over violence in daycare settings

In Finland, early childhood educators are increasingly voicing their concerns over violence and aggression in daycare settings. Tarja Haapasaari, a teacher with 13 years of experience, including in preschool education, highlights that the harsh realities of their work include being bitten, hit, and kicked by children. Many of her colleagues report experiencing similar incidents weekly or even daily, with issues stemming particularly from children’s difficulties in focusing and managing emotions.

Haapasaari recalls a troubling incident where she was bitten so hard that the marks were visible for a week. She mentioned that the management considered such incidents as unfortunate but not uncommon. Many educators are advocating for clearer guidelines to help calm aggressive behavior in children, noting that current recommendations from educational authorities lack specific operational directives.

Most workers view physical restraint as a last resort necessary to prevent harm, and there is a significant desire for legislation to specifically address physical holding in early childhood education settings. This desire extends to basic education laws, as well. The need for legal clarity was previously underscored by the deputy ombudsman, who emphasized the importance of establishing firm regulations around restraint practices.

While educators like Haapasaari have received some training in restraint techniques, many feel that the training is inadequate. There is no mandatory training for dealing with violence or restraint situations, leading to discrepancies in preparedness across different municipalities. This inconsistency has led to calls for more comprehensive training and clearer legal frameworks to support educators in their challenging roles.