The best interests of the child must be taken into account as the primary criteria when planning, organising or producing early childhood education and care and when it is decided on. Under the Act on Early Childhood Education and Care, children have the right to receive social welfare and health care support measures and services to support their development and well-being.
The child's early childhood education and care plan must include objectives on how the child's early childhood education and care supports the child's development, learning and well-being. The actions used to achieve the objectives are recorded in the early childhood education and care plan. The child’s need for support and the support measures are also included in the plan.
The special education teacher of early childhood education and care participates in the assessment of the child's need for support, support measures or their implementation as necessary. Other authorities, experts and other parties supporting the child's development and learning can participate in the preparation of the child's early childhood education and care plan.
The municipality, joint municipal authority and private service provider must ensure that there are sufficient personnel in early childhood education and care that meet the different criteria. This way, the objectives laid down for early childhood education and care can be achieved and the support needs of disabled children and other children can also be met. The municipality must have access to the services of special education teachers in early childhood education and care in accordance with the needs of early childhood education and care.
In addition, early childhood education and care may employ other staff according to the children's needs and the objectives of early childhood education and care.