Registration for early childhood education and care social pedagogue (varhaiskasvatuksen sosionomi) specialization training is open
Laurea's curriculum has been revised to meet the competence needs of the new early childhood education and care (ECEC) professional, the ECEC social pedagogue. According to the new law, ECEC social pedagogues have specific skills and know-how which meet the needs of a changing and diversifying society.
The municipalities recognize the importance of the ECEC social pedagogue as part of the early childhood education personnel team and have created job descriptions for the new position. There is a rise and demand for the skills of an ECEC social pedagogue, and there is a great need for qualified professionals. Laurea's ECEC social pedagogue studies produce up-to-date social pedagogical competence in pedagogical teamwork and cooperation with families, as well as multidisciplinary service system competence.
At Laurea, this 60-credit ECEC social pedagogue specialization training is aimed at those who already have completed a Bachelor of Social Services degree (sosionomi). Together, these two studies give the qualification to work as an ECEC social pedagogue. The 60-credit training specialization training lasts one year and is designed to be conducted alongside work as online studies. Language of the training is English (available also in Finnish). The training includes three theoretical units of 10 credits, in which the connection to working life is built through the tasks of the study courses. In addition, during the training, a 15-credit internship related to ECEC working methods is completed as demonstration of competence and a thesis on ECEC is completed as a theoretical, functional, or diary-based report.
It is also possible to apply for the studies with a background other than Bachelor of Social Services. However, in those cases the 60-credit ECEC social pedagogue training does not produce the legal qualification to work as an ECEC pedagogue. However, many students find the specialization training very useful if they already work in day care and need additional skills. If the student later completes a 210-credit Bachelor of Social Services degree, the 60 credits completed in specialization training will be accepted as part of the degree.
The education is carried out through the Laurea open university of applied sciences. The price of the entire training is €400. The training takes place from 17.1.–31.12. 2023. More information about the enrollment: avoinamk@laurea.fi
You can also acquire the qualification of ECEC social pedagogue by completing the entire Bachelor of Social Services degree and choosing early childhood education and care 60 credit studies as part of it.
The next application period for 3.5-year Bachelor of social services studies is: 4th–18th January 2023. More information.