Early Childhood Education and Care
Field of studies
- Health and Social Services
- Social services
Degree title
- Bachelor of Social Services
Registration period
- Finnish Joint Application 2025
Teaching language
- English
Type of education
- Bachelor’s Degree
Academic level
- Bachelor Level Studies - EQF 6
Campus
- Hämeenlinna
Teaching format
- Contact Lessons
The foundation for a sustainable future lies in early childhood education and care.
These studies prepare you to become an expert of early childhood education and care and social pedagogy. You will achieve a strong ethical competence for working in social services and you will learn to promote the well-being of children and families using a socio-pedagogical approach.
We believe that the best learning outcome is from a combination of theory and practice. The strength of this degree programme lies on the use of creative and practice-based client work methods.
Objective
You will gain valued skills and knowledge in promoting the well-being of children and families in early childhood education and care (ECEC). In addition, you will be skilled in incorporating principles of social counselling to support people’s growth in society. You will learn the Finnish language to help manage different client situations in Finnish working life. The program integrates creative and art-based methods into client work, fostering support and community engagement.
In Finland, early childhood education and care (ECEC) is based on goal-oriented education, upbringing and care, with an emphasis on pedagogy. Pedagogical competence means the ability to plan, implement, and evaluate pedagogical activities for a group of children in multiprofessional cooperation. In your studies, you will develop a deep understanding of how to foster community and inclusiveness in ECEC; how to support participation and a child’s holistic development. Your development-orientated pedagogical approach will be based on dialogical encounters with children and families.
Studies are based on collaboration at multiple levels. We emphasize learning in teams and multiprofessional and interdisciplinary cooperation. Students work together to solve development tasks with work-life partners. HAMK is part of RUN European University which creates possibilities for international collaboration during studies. In addition, we focus on collaboration between staff and students to foster an inclusive and comprehensive educational setting.
Qualification provided by education
After your studies, you will have the professional skills and knowledge to work in early childhood education and care in Finland using the Finnish language. In addition, you will be qualified to work in other fields of social services as a Bachelor of Social Services.
Bachelors of Social Services can be employed in the areas of early childhood education and care, child welfare, youth work and adult social work. The degree prepares students to work as social pedagogues in early childhood education and care in multiprofessional cooperation with teachers and childcarers. They can also work as counsellors in child welfare institutions and other residential facilities, as family support workers, coordinators of services for the elderly, case managers, activity directors, counsellors in substance abuse and mental health services or as service coordinators. Bachelors of Social Services promote a good life for all and the core values in their work are openness, communality and doing things together.
The degree includes at least 60 credits of studies in early childhood education and care and social pedagogy, which after graduation qualify you to work as a social pedagogue in early childhood education and care in Finland ("Varhaiskasvatuksen sosionomi").
Structure of studies
Core competence studies and thesis form the foundation of the studies. Work placement is also a core competence. Profiling studies are for steering competence towards career goals in early childhood education and care. The language of the degree programme is English with a strong emphasis on learning Finnish language. The programme includes 25 credits of Finnish language studies.
Core and profiling competencies
You will study closely real-life phenomena from early childhood education and care and social pedagogy. The content of the studies also includes getting to know the Finnish social care culture. You will study themes like pedagogy in early childhood education and care, collaboration with families, child’s holistic development and creative and art-based methods that foster participation and community. You will also learn about social counselling, sociocultural animation with different client groups and safeguarding children.
Work placements
HAMK has Finnish partner organisations where it is possible to complete your work placement. You can also choose a place of your own choice. You have 36 ECTS of practical training in your studies, and it is implemented in several phases in the degree in various early childhood education and social service environments. This allows you to acquire a deep understanding and a wide view of the different possibilities that a career in early childhood education and social services can offer.
Thesis
The bachelor’s thesis is a comprehensive design or development process, or research project, where you will independently utilise the most essential knowledge and practices of early childhood education and care. You can steer the topic according to your interests together with work-life partner organisations. The aim of the thesis is to strengthen both your general working life skills and your professional competencies.
Note
The studies require commitment to academic studies and self-organisation skills. You must be motivated and committed to learning the Finnish language to reach the required proficiency.
HAMK has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy. It means students use their own laptops when studying or working on the premises of the campus. Learning at HAMK can be independent of time and classroom space. Electronic learning materials are used for learning.
Health Assessment and Vaccinations
Since professional studies at HAMK start from the very beginning of the degree, you should prepare for your first work placements in the field. For this you will need to complete and save for yourself a Tuberculosis self-assesment and provide our student health care information on your current vaccination coverage. If there is a need to supplement your vaccinations, this can be done at student health care (FSHS) at the beginning of your studies. Your first work placement will take place at the end of November.
Read more information and instructions for social and health care students concerning infectious diseases and vaccinations.
Specialization options
The degree program offers a specialisation exclusively in early childhood education and care.
Apply to study
Joint and Rolling Application
Bachelor of Social Services, Early Childhood Education and Care, full-time studies, Joint application
- Application begins:
- Application ends:
- Studies begin:Autumn 2025
- Places of Study:25
For Students living in Finland
Study Paths – Open Studies Leading to a Degree
In our Study Paths, you will complete studies that are part of a degree program as a student of the Open University of Applied Sciences, alongside degree students. Once you have completed the required amount of studies with the necessary grades, you can apply to become a degree student and continue your studies to completion as usual. Check more information:
Students outside of Finland: As Open University Studies are not leading to a degree it is not possible to get a residence permit only for that purpose.
Five reasons to study Early Childhood Education and Care in Hämeenlinna!
Achieve the competence of Bachelor of Social Services and social pedagogue (ECEC) to work in a practical profession in Finland. High-quality education with close connections to work life.
Finnish early childhood education and care is holistic, child-centered, and play-based, which supports learning and well-being of children under the age of 7.
Unique and authentic learning experiences: ECEC service as a real work-based learning environment and a multisensory space for creative methods.
Be safe and live cheaper. Hämeenlinna is one of the safest cities to live in Finland. Living costs are cheaper than in bigger cities.
Feel the nature and enjoy the perfect location. Hämeenlinna is full of lakes, forests and beautiful scenery. Hämeenlinna is only an hour away from the capital and close to other big cities.
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Studying in Finland
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Study Methods
Full-time Studies, Contact Lessons
Campus
As a student of Early Childhood Education and Care programme, your home campus will be Hämeenlinna.
Studies tailored to you
Your degree consists of 210 credits and includes four core elements:
The core competence studies, or core competence modules as we call those, form the foundation of your degree and professional skills. These studies are designed to support your development as a professional in your field.
Core competence studies in this degree programme include:
- The Finnish Culture and Language in the Social Services, 15 credits
- Interaction in the Social Services, 15 credits
- Cultural Diversity, 15 credits
- Participatory and Innovate Case Management, 15 credits
- Research and Development in the Social Services, 15 credits
- Team Leadership and Development-Oriented Work in the Social Services, 15 credits
Part of your degree consists of profiling competence modules. These studies are for steering competence towards career goals in early childhood education and care.
The qualification of social pedagogue (ECEC) will include the following studies: Value and Knowledge Base of Early Childhood Education (15 credits), Safeguarding Children (15 credits), Engaging and Supporting Children and Families in Early Childhood Education (15 credits).
Adding to that you will study profiling competence: Promoting Cultural Well-Being (15 credits) and Social Work Foundations and Phenomena (15 credits).
HAMK has Finnish partner organisations where it is possible to complete your work placement. You can also choose a place of your own choice. You have 36 ECTS of practical training in your studies, and it is implemented in several phases in the degree in various early childhood education and social service environments. This allows you to acquire a deep understanding and a wide view of the different possibilities that a career in early childhood education and social services can offer.
- Professional Interaction and Client Work in Practice, 3 credits (embedded within the core competence module Interaction in the Social Services)
- Work Placement: Early Childhood Education and care, 15 credits
- Work Placement: Social Work, 15 credits
- Developing Social Services in Practice, 3 credits (embedded within the core competence module Team Leadership and Development-Oriented Work in the Social Services)
The qualification of social pedagogue (ECEC) will include studies:
- Work Placement: Early Childhood Education and Care, 15 credits.
The bachelor’s thesis is a comprehensive design or development process, or research project, where you will independently utilize the most essential knowledge and practices of early childhood education and care. You can steer the topic according to your interests together with work-life partner organisations. The aim of the thesis is to strengthen both your general working life skills and your professional competencies.
As a student at HAMK, you can tailor your degree to suit you. You have the option to choose various studies from us and around the world, and complete the required studies in different ways.
Explore more about the content of the program and learn about planning your studies at HAMK:
Innovative study options that we offer
At HAMK, we develop new, innovative ways of study. Our goal is to provide you with versatile expertise that you can develop in various directions. We hope to inspire you to try something completely new!
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Design Factory
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RUN EU -studies
HAMK is part of the RUN-Europe University, comprised of nine European universities. You can leverage the fantastic opportunities provided by RUN Europe University for accumulating international study experiences!
Exchange Studies
Exchange studies are a unique opportunity to explore the world. We encourage all our students to seize the chance and go abroad for an exchange. Will you go too?
HAMK’s Study Selection
We offer you a wide range of studies that you can choose as part of your degree. You can also select modules from other degrees at HAMK. Or why not utilize the expertise you’ve gained previously, for example, from scouting!
Cross-Institutional Studies
As a student at HAMK, you have the opportunity to take courses at other universities as well! It’s called cross-institutional studying, aiming to allow you to study comprehensive units that support your own goals.
Frequently asked questions
From here you can find answers to frequently asked questions from Early Childhood Education and Care programme!
The studies will mostly be conducted in English. The degree includes 25 ECTS Finnish language studies. There is no requirement for Finnish language skills when applying. In work placements there are competence goals related to professional development and Finnish language objectives for working with clients.
Yes, attendance in class is required. Learning is conducted in teams and through process-based tasks, with participation expected at all phases. If you miss a class, the teacher will appoint compensatory assignments or exercises. You will reach the best study results by taking part in all the classes.
This matter will be evaluated case by case with the Study Counsellor.
After graduation you will have a qualification to work as a social pedagogue in early childhood education and care in Finland.
The studies don’t offer qualification to work as a teacher in early childhood education.
The employment situation for Bachelors of Social Services is excellent, and they are in high demand in Hämeenlinna and in Finland. You can choose the workplace according to your interests in the field of early childhood education and care or social services.
The post graduate education opportunities for bachelors of social services are diverse. In Finland universities of applied sciences offer higher education possibilities after you have graduated.
Lectures are mainly held during the day.
Completing the degree requires full-time study, but you may work in part-time jobs if your individual situation is flexible enough and your studies are not affected.
Want to ask more?
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