Children participate in meaningful activities in a safe environment after the school day. The activity ends either at 16:00 or 17:00.
The afternoon activity is for a fee, which includes a snack and insurance. The monthly fee is 100 euros for activities ending at 4:00 p.m. and 120 euros for activities ending at 5:00 p.m. You can apply for a discount or exemption from payment based on your income.
Starting next autumn, the afternoon activities for school children (for 1st and 2nd graders) will be organized by the basic education of the city of Helsinki. In other words, the previous free activities of public playgrounds for school children are no longer available. City announced this on 14 March 2022.
Guided activities after the school day make everyday life easier for families
Basic education in the city of Helsinki offers afternoon activities in approximately 250 locations around the city, in schools and in the vicinity of schools, such as playgrounds and parish facilities. The hobbies are suitable for the child’s age – they include playing, outdoor activities and exercise, as well as small trips to the surrounding area. Some organizers may place special emphasis on their activities, such as exercise.
“Spending time with friends is important in after-school activities. More than 10,000 children participate in afternoon activities each year, and we encourage all first and second graders to participate. Meaningful, guided activities support children’s well-being”, says Outi Salohead of basic education.
Afternoon activities complement the school days of young children. At the end of the school day, the child goes to a guided afternoon activity, which is held at or near the school. – Of course, parents and guardians can apply for afternoon activities further afield, but the majority of children participate in activities organized in or around their own school, Salo continues.
During the application period, applicants will be offered a place
All first and second graders who apply during the application period will be offered a place in the afternoon activity. If there is no place available in the place you have chosen, the child will be offered a place elsewhere in the area. If there are more applicants than there are places, priority will be given to first-graders and students who need special support.
In terms of the allocation of places, it does not matter when families send their application, as long as it is submitted during the application period.
Information about places and organizers can be found at service map, which will be updated to include places for the next academic year by March 6. Application forms for the academic year 2023–2024 will be available on the website from March 6 here.
HT
Source: Ministry of Education of the City of Helsinki
Source: The Nordic Page