Government proposal: Applying Norwegian model for home care allowance to help promote gender equality and integration
The Government proposes amendments to the Act on Child Home Care Allowances and Private Childcare Allowances. The proposal would implement the Norwegian model for child home care allowance. The proposal seeks to promote the integration and labour market position of women with an immigrant background and to increase the participation of children in early childhood education and care.
The Government proposes that child home care allowance could be granted only after a minimum of three years’ residence in Finland by the parent or other person who has custody of the child and who primarily looks after the child. In practice, the allowance would not be paid if the parent or other person who has custody of the child and who primarily looks after the child has resided in Finland for less than three years after reaching the age of 16. It is also proposed that in future the allowance would be paid to the parent or other person who has custody of the child and who primarily looks after them.
“The Norwegian model of child home care allowance is a reform advancing gender equality. In particular, it seeks to promote the integration and labour market position of women with an immigrant background and their learning of Finnish or Swedish. It also promotes the participation of children in early childhood education and care so that children can learn the language and get started on their educational journey on an equal basis with others,” says Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.
The amendment would apply to situations where the move to Finland has taken place after the entry into force of the proposed act.
It is also proposed that the definition of care provider in the Act on Child Home Care Allowances and Private Childcare Allowances be amended to reflect the amendments made to the Act on Early Childhood Education and Care.
Aiming to promote integration and increase participation in early childhood education and care
proposal aims to contribute to the faster integration of parents of small children who have recently moved to Finland and to promote children’s learning of Finnish or Swedish and their participation in society. The objective is that parents of small children who have resided in Finland for less than three years would more often choose for their children to participate in early childhood education and care and that more parents would enter the labour market and make use of integration services.
Municipalities would be compensated for the associated increase in the costs of early childhood education and care through the system of central government transfers to municipalities for basic public services.
The proposal is related to the budget proposal for 2027.
The act is scheduled to enter into force on 1 January 2027.
Inquiries:
Henna Huhtamäki, Director, tel. +358 295 163 072
Silja Dahlgren, Legal Adviser, tel. +358 295 163 391
Emmi Venäläinen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Security, tel. +358 295 163 058
Email addresses are in the format [email protected]
Correction 16th of April 16:08: The name of the child home care allowance was corrected.