Rauma Reduces Unnecessary Daycare Reservations with New Fee Policy
The City of Rauma has successfully reduced unnecessary daycare reservations by introducing a fee for unannounced absences, leading to fewer open care groups this summer. Yle reports that the new policy requires parents to cancel reserved care slots at least ten days in advance to avoid a charge, which amounts to half of the child’s monthly fee—at least €15. The fee does not apply to sick leave absences.
Pauliina Henriksson, Director of Early Childhood Education in Rauma, stated that the problem of high summer absence rates has "practically disappeared" since the policy was implemented. This year, the city operated five fewer care groups compared to last summer, as parents only registered children for care when necessary. While exact savings figures are not yet available, the reduction in open groups—each serving 12 to 21 children—has lowered operational costs.
However, MTV Uutiset highlights concerns from the Municipal Association’s Development Manager, Jarkko Lahtinen, who argues that fines alone may not fully address the issue. Lahtinen explained that unnecessary reservations create significant financial and logistical challenges for municipalities, including staffing inefficiencies and food waste. He noted that when children are registered but do not attend, staff may be unable to take summer leave simultaneously with school holidays, disrupting substitution practices.
The issue of "empty spots" in early childhood education has also affected other cities, such as Joensuu, where 340 children were absent without notice in July two years ago, despite being enrolled in care.
