Compulsory education begins in the year a child turns seven. The child can also start school a year earlier or later.
Starting school one year earlier
A child can start school at the age of six. The child must have the knowledge and skills as well as the social and psychological skills to start school. For this reason, the guardian must obtain a statement from a psychologist in favor of starting school one year earlier. The statement and the school enrolment form are sent to the principal of the local school.
Starting school one year earlier form:
( Form is in Finnish)
Starting school one year later
The start of a child's basic education can be postponed by one year if it is in the child's best interests. An administrative decision to postpone the start of basic education must only be made for a justified reason and with careful consideration.
The decision to postpone the start of basic education is made before the child starts basic education. When a child's start of basic education has been postponed by one year, the child has the right to participate in pre-primary education for one more year of pre-primary education.
The guardian applies for the start of school one year later than prescribed from the principal of the child's local school using the Starting school one year later form. A psychologist's or other medical report must be attached.
Starting shool one year later form:
(Form is in Finnish)
More detailed information is available from the child's early childhood education.