Äänekoski is the Early Childhood Education Council of the Year 2023
Future-oriented early childhood education is being developed at Äänekoski
The Association of Early Childhood Education Teachers (VOL) has awarded the Early Childhood Education Council of the Year recognition to the city of Äänekoski. Äänekoski's special merits were considered to be that the city has taken an exemplary approach to developing early childhood education and the education level of kindergarten personnel. Chairman of the Association of Early Childhood Education Teachers Anitta Pakanen hand over the recognition on 2.11.2023 November XNUMX in Jyväskylä.
- Receiving the award feels great. It is thanks to the long-term development work for the future of Äänekoski's early childhood education and the children and families of the entire city of Äänekoski. The attention encourages us to continue working for high-quality early childhood education. In addition to the city of Äänekoski, the recipient of this award is every early childhood education worker. A big thank you to all of us, Äänekoski city family service director Pirjo Heinonen says.
Äänekoski understands the meaning of childhood
Äänekoski has wonderful opportunities to do the most important work in the world. The city invests in high-quality and good early childhood education. Employees are valued and this is reflected in good employee benefits and flexibility. As an employer, the city of Äänekoski also encourages lifelong learning, and it is possible to study flexibly while working, and it is possible to get additional training related to work. The kindergarten buildings in Äänekoski are new and modern. A new log kindergarten is currently being built in Koivisto.
VOL has noted that the city of Äänekoski has paid attention to the working conditions and salary of early childhood education teachers, and has done good future-oriented work to strengthen the attraction and retention power of the work of early childhood education teachers, kindergarten directors and special early childhood education teachers. For a long time, efforts have been made to hire two teachers for groups of children in daycare centers.
Despite the challenging early childhood education teacher situation, Äänekoski has managed to recruit a suitable person for almost all open early childhood education teacher positions.
- The city of Äänekoski has implemented three-tiered support for early childhood education for several years. We have the services of a special early childhood education teacher available in every kindergarten. In addition, the management system has been developed and in each kindergarten we have a deputy director and the areas of the directors are reasonable. We have permanent backup staff for staff absences. Early childhood education teachers are also guaranteed planning time according to the contract, Pirjo Heinonen says.
- In addition, we have invested in flexible preschool and elementary education by building common spaces for them.
- Äänekoski conveys a message about the importance of highly trained personnel in kindergartens. This tells about understanding the meaning of childhood and the beginning of young children's lives, states Anitta Pakanen.
Good and high-quality early childhood education is vital for society as a whole. Quality is a matter of highly trained teachers, forms of support based on children's needs, and peace of mind at work. As proof of this, Äänekoski has begun to develop the employees' well-being at work and training. The teachers' master's degree and the teachers' qualifications are taken into account in the salary. In addition to this, daycare managers are encouraged to apply for a master's degree in early childhood education.
Good deeds to the fore
Trained teachers form a very central question about what kind of early childhood education is offered to children in the municipalities. Teachers are also a matter of retention and attraction for the entire staff.
With the recognition, the association wants to draw attention to the municipalities and specifically highlight the good deeds of the municipalities. The important amount of training for early childhood education teachers alone is not enough to solve the teacher shortage, but measures by the municipalities are also needed to value the work of teachers. For children, the early childhood education years are a short period of time and they play a particularly significant role in leveling the children's starting points.
The Association of Early Childhood Education Teachers wants to encourage municipalities to develop early childhood education as a child's right with the Early Childhood Education Council of the Year recognition, so that even the smallest municipal residents get the best possible food for life. The recognition is given to a municipality that works determinedly to develop the quality of early childhood education. The recognition is the third in a row. The first recognition was given to Helsinki in 2019 and the second to Kajaani in 2021.
Early childhood education board of the year 2023 selection criteria:
1. The municipality has taken measures to achieve the 2030 personnel structure and qualifications.
• the number of early childhood education teachers will be increased to match the personnel structure
• a master's degree in education is taken into account when recruiting kindergarten directors
2. The municipality has taken measures to improve the pay and well-being of teachers and kindergarten managers.
• the municipality takes eligibility and educational level into account when hiring
• the municipality has invested in the attraction and retention of teachers and kindergarten directors
3. The municipality has started to promote the child's right to support and teaching provided by a special teacher.
4. Public early childhood education is the municipality's main form of early childhood education.
For more information:
Director of Family Services Pirjo Heinonen, 0400 672 637, pirjo.heinonen@aanekoski.fi
News published 1.11.2023, modified 2.11.2023/08/27 at XNUMX:XNUMX
