Early Childhood Education and Care: Learning from Finland

Abstract

In 2002 a long-term strategic plan for New Zealand early childhood education and care (ECEC) provision was announced with three goals, those of increased participation, improved quality and the promotion of collaboration. To realise these goals, New Zealand can learn much from Finland. Finland participated in the Thematic Review of Early Childhood Education and Care Policy project conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2000. The purpose of the project was to provide comparative information to help inform ECEC policy-making in OECD countries. This article reviews the OECD report on Finland. An outline of Finnish ECEC provision is briefly described and a brief critique of some Finnish ECEC issues is provided. The article concludes with some comparisons with New Zealand ECEC policy issues.