Parents are satisfied with early childhood education and care services: ‘Safe atmosphere and professional staff’

A customer satisfaction survey was carried out in April 2026 among the City of Vaasa’s ECEC clients, in other words the parents of children attending early childhood education and care.

The survey was carried out using an online form, and parents were informed about it via the Edlevo system. There were a total of 581 respondents.

– Guardians have strong trust in early childhood education and care, and their experiences are largely positive. Most respondents view early childhood education and care as positive, safe, and child-centred, says Anna Buss, Director of Early Childhood Education and Care.

Parents also identified clear areas for development in the survey, including improving communication, staff retention, and strengthening everyday safety and a calm, stable environment.

Strengths of early childhood education and care:

• professional, warm, and committed staff
• individualised attention for each child
• a safe and secure atmosphere
• small groups and permanent staff are viewed as particularly positive
• it is easy to contact ECEC staff
• play is a central part of daily activities

Concerns and areas for development:

• large group sizes and staff turnover
• substitute arrangements and the resulting uncertainty
• safety concerns (outdoor areas, rest times, supervision)
• limited outdoor time and the amount of screen time
• inconsistent communication
• insufficient communication about unit closures

Survey results will be used to develop services

The early childhood education and care customer satisfaction survey is conducted annually.

The results of the survey are used in the development of ECEC services. Daycare units review the survey results during their development days, and the ECEC leadership team has also reviewed all the feedback.

A summary of the survey results has also been presented to the Board of Basic Education.