Multilingual Daycare and Social Work Help Tampere's Immigrant Families

Early childhood education plays a key role in helping immigrant families navigate daily services and join the local community. That connection often provides families with their first steady link to local services.

City-run daycare and pre-primary classrooms promote multilingualism and cultural exchange by encouraging children to explore different languages, traditions and beliefs. Staff model positive encounters and foster open discussions so children learn to recognise and respect diverse viewpoints. “We see diversity as a strength,” says Tanja Moisala, area director for southern Tampere’s early childhood services.

Social work professionals are part of early years teams, supporting group cohesion, preventing social problems and guiding families to services. The city says a 2030 regulation that will raise the number of degree-educated staff in daycare groups should strengthen these roles. Tampere also takes part in the Erasmus+ Edufirst project with universities in Milan, Barcelona and Vic, exchanging practice and hosting visits to local units such as the Vuores forest preschool, Linnainmaa open early childhood centre and Etelä-Hervanta’s evening and shift care. Recent two-day training for social work staff focused on culture- and belief-aware early education and practical tools to support family integration.

Trusting relationships between families and early education services help children feel safe and ease broader integration. “When families feel seen and heard, their path into the community becomes smoother,” Moisala says.