Early childhood and primary education
The learning pathway progresses from early childhood education in kindergarten to pre-primary education and on to basic education. On this page you will find more information about day care centres, pre-primary and basic education in the Kotka-Hamina region. In addition to Finnish, education is also available in some locations in Swedish and English. More information about multilingual education options can be found at the bottom of this page.
I want to apply for a place in a nursery school for my child
I want to enrol my child in primary school
Applying for a place at a nursery
The Kotka-Hamina region has a wide variety of day-care centres. They provide high-quality early childhood education and receive excellent reviews from guardiana year after year. Applications for a place at a day nursery are usually made using an online application form. In most cases, the application must be made a few months in advance when there is a need for a place. In sudden circumstances, such as a job or studies, you can also apply later. However, at least two weeks before the start of the treatment.
Enrolment in primary school
When you move to a municipality in the Kotka-Hamina region, you must submit your child’s details to the education department of that municipality. The education office will then assign a local school to your child. You can find the contact details of the education office in your municipality on the municipality’s website. Primary school starts the year your child turns seven. In the Kotka-Hamina region, every child has the right to a place at school.
If the child does not speak Finnish, he or she may be enrolled in preparatory teaching. The aim of preparatory education is to promote the Finnish language skills of the pupils participating in the education, their balanced development and integration into Finnish society, and to provide them with the necessary skills for transitioning to basic education.
Weighted teaching in the Kotka-Hamina region
In the Kotka-Hamina region, you can go to comprehensive school with a range of different specialisations. Early childhood education is also organised with different emphases, such as Kotilo’s nature and environment-focused day care centre in Kotka (website in finnish). Read below about the different emphases in comprehensive schools.
Music
In Kotka, you can study music in grades 3-9 of comprehensive school. Pupils are selected for music classes on the basis of musical aptitude tests. Music classes have broader music teaching objectives than those usually found in comprehensive schools. There are also more music lessons than in a normal primary school class.
In Hamina, students at Vehkalahti School can follow a music-oriented curriculum starting from the 7th grade. These music classes provide additional music instruction through a specialized focus. The program is open to enthusiasts of all instruments and musical styles.
Sport
In Kotka, it is possible to study with a sports emphasis in grades 6–9 of basic education. In this case, students study in a sports class. Students are selected for the sports class based on sports tests.
In Hamina, students can follow a sports-oriented curriculum during grades 7–9 of basic education. At Vehkalahti School, the sports class is part of the school’s specialized studies, while Pappilansalmi School hosts the Etelä-Kymenlaakson urheiluakatemia.
Multilingual education in the region
In the Kotka–Hamina region, pupils can attend comprehensive school in Finnish, Swedish, or English. Bilingual education in Finnish and English is available in Kotka. The curriculum and learning objectives are the same as those of Finnish-language education. Kotka also has an English-language daycare centre.
In Pyhtää, the municipality provides early childhood education and comprehensive education in Swedish in addition to Finnish. However, Swedish-language lower secondary education and upper secondary education are offered at the Swedish school in Kotka. In Kotka, Swedish-language early childhood education, comprehensive school, and general upper secondary education are organized by a private provider.