Family life

Day care, pre-school, and school – study opportunities

Child Day Care
Child Day Care Office of the City of Pori
Antinkatu 16 B, 3rd floor
Tel. +358 (0)2 621 6100
www.pori.fi/english/sosopasengl2002.pdf

Child day care refers to childcare outside the home. The child will have playmates and get to know the Finnish language and way of life.

There are several day care options: day care centres, child-minding in a family day care environment, group family day care, and open day care centres.

In Finland, the municipality of residence is obliged to arrange day care for children under school age, either at day care centres or in the form of child-minding at a family day care. Day care can be full- or part-time. If a child under the age of three is cared for elsewhere than in municipal day care, you can apply for child home care allowance from the Social Insurance Institution (KELA).


Pre-school

Before going to school at the age of seven, six-year-olds usually participate in pre school education at a day care centre or school. In pre-school, children practise the basic skills and knowledge they will need at school. Pre-school education is half day at minimum, and it lasts for one year. Approximately 90 per cent of the entire age group participate in pre-school education.

Childminders

Private childminders (for, e.g., one evening, the weekend, afternoons, or longer periods) are available from the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, tel. +358 (0)2 630 6400.

Clubs and Playgrounds

The Pori Evangelical-Lutheran Congregation arranges day care clubs for children of various ages, and family clubs for children and parents. The activities go on from August to the end of May every year. For further information, please contact:
The Pori Congregation
Ulla Jylhä
Head Children’s Instructor of Central Pori
Tel. +358 (0)2 650 8819

A fully English-speaking playschool also operates in Pori, arranging playschool activities for children of various ages on weekdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The playschool is in the centre of town, at Länsipuisto 15. For further information, please contact Christine Hart-Merimaa, tel. +358 (0)500 599 087.

There are over 30 playgrounds all around Pori – in the centre, too.

School and Beyond www.pori.fi/english/education.html
The Pori Department of Education
Otavankatu 3
Tel. +358 (0)2 621 1100

Comprehensive school

All children living in Finland are entitled to attend comprehensive school free of charge. Going to school is also a duty. A child usually begins school at the beginning of the autumn term the year he/she turns seven. At comprehensive school, the pupils have a free warm meal every day. School usually begins at 8 or 9 a.m. and lasts until 1 to 4 p.m. The school year begins in August and ends at the end of May. School uniforms are not in use.

Comprehensive school lasts nine years in Finland. Having completed the comprehensive-school stage, students go on to high school or a vocational college. Boys and girls have equal study opportunities.

There are a total of 28 comprehensive schools in Pori. Many children go to the school closest to their home, but parents can also choose which school they prefer for their child.

Comprehensive schools offer everyone reliable and equal basic education, possibilities for choice, diverse skills for the information society and other competencies, and a safe learning environment. In classes 1 to 6 of basic education, you have a variety of options. There are classes specialising in music and the arts in Pori.

Instruction in English only is given at the moment for classes 1-5 at International School, Cygnaeus, and next year there will be teaching in English for classes 6-9.

The City of Pori is prepared to offer education in German and French for classes 1-9 from the 2004-2005 school year on.

There is also a fully Swedish-speaking comprehensive school in Pori, Björneborgs svenska samskola, offering the opportunity to study in Swedish from pre-school through to the matriculation examination. The Pori region’s Rudolf Steiner School and the Pori Christian School round out the variety of education on offer in the Pori area.

In upper comprehensive school, pupils can apply for special classes, depending on their interests. Options include natural science, environmental science, physical education, arts, music, and technology. In upper comprehensive school you can choose foreign languages, which depend on the school; options include German, French, Russian, Spanish, and Italian, but all upper comprehensive schools are Finnish-speaking (except the Swedish-speaking Björneborgs svenska samskola).

When you move to Pori, you must inform the Pori Department of Education of any children in the comprehensive-school age range.

Upper secondary school

A total of six upper secondary schools currently exist in Pori, one of which also operates as an upper secondary school for adults. These schools also specialise in various subjects ranging from science to the environment, physical education, arts, and economics. You can also select new foreign languages at the upper secondary school level or go on studying the previous ones, including German, French, Russian, Spanish, and Italian. For further information, please contact the Pori Department of Education.

Vocational education institutions

There are four vocational schools in Pori: the Pori College of the Service Sector, Pori Technical College, the Pori College of Forestry, and the Palmgren Conservatory.

Pori’s vocational education institutions and upper secondary schools offer the possibility of taking courses at all of these institutions, and the vocational education institutions and upper secondary schools for adults offer combined studies in co operation, leading to a vocational basic degree and an upper secondary school degree and matriculation examination simultaneously. The educational institutions of Pori and the local universities also offer courses together. Nor have we forgotten athletes, as we offer several options for combining studies with athletic training. For further information, please contact the Pori Department of Education.

Apprenticeship training

The Apprenticeship Training Centre of Satakunta is responsible for arranging apprenticeship training in the Pori region. Apprenticeship training refers to vocational training based on fixed-term employment, completed with informative courses arranged at vocational education institutions or Adult Training Centres.

Apprenticeship training leads mostly to similar vocational basic degrees, vocational qualifications, and specialist vocational qualifications as education offered by educational institutions. Apprenticeship training usually lasts 2-4 years when leading to a qualification. 

For further information, please contact the Apprenticeship Training Centre of Satakunta, tel. +358 (0)2 621 2430.

Pori art school

Pori Art School arranges art training for children and young people, and a four-year programme for visual artists. There is also a video workshop at the Art School, offering education in visual expression and computer-based and digital image processing and editing. For further information, please contact the Art School, Gallen Kallelankatu 10, tel. +358 (0)2 621 1254.

Universities

The Pori University Consortium, Satakunta Polytechnic, and the Pori Department of the Diaconia Institute of Higher Education offer higher education in Pori, while the Pori units of the departments at the Pori University Consortium, including the Tampere University of Technology, Turku School of Economics and Business Administration, University of Turku, University of Tampere, Open University of the University of Tampere, and University of Art and Design, provide university education and engage in research activities. The Pori University Consortium provides teaching in English, too.

Satakunta Polytechnic offers two degree programmes in English:
a Degree Programme in Physiotherapy and a Degree Programme in International Business and Marketing Logistics. Moreover, some of the courses are given in English.

In addition to education leading to an academic degree, Satakunta Polytechnic arranges specialised studies, post-graduate studies, and further education.

Satakunta Polytechnic: Tiedepuisto 3, tel. +358 (0)2 620 3000, www.samk.fi
The Diaconia Institute of Higher Education: Metsämiehenkatu 2, tel. +358 (0)20 160 6403, www.diak.fi 
The Pori University Consortium: Pohjoisranta 11, tel. +358 (0)2 627 2700, www.porinyliopistokeskus.fi 

Studying Finnish in Pori

Otsola Community College provides Finnish-language courses for foreigners, with levels ranging from the basics to advanced studies. Courses begin both in spring and in autumn.
Otsola Community College
Juhana Herttuan katu 16
Tel. +358 (0)2 630 1500
www.otsola.net/

Also, the Multicultural Association of Satakunta arranges Finnish language courses.

If you fall ill – health care

Health insurance

KELA – the Social Insurance Institution of Finland
Pori Office
Yrjönkatu 23, FI-28100 PORI
Tel. +358 (0)20 435 8700
Opening hours: Mon.-Wed., Fri. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thu. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Finland, everyone residing permanently in the country is eligible for social security benefits as specified in the national health legislation, and to health insurance. Only persons with a residence permit for at least one year are considered residents; others are not covered. Permanent residents of Finland have a social security card issued by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, KELA. This so-called KELA card is used at the Social Insurance Institution’s offices, chemists’, and health centres. This means that employers do not provide separate health insurance for employees.

When the local registry office has issued you a personal identity number, you can go to the local KELA office and complete an application to become eligible for Finnish social security benefits, which also acts as an application for a KELA card. KELA will inform you in writing of accepting you as eligible for Finnish social security benefits. KELA cannot process any applications without a personal identity number, and you are eligible for social security benefits when you have received the KELA card, showing your personal data and personal identity number. You must also complete a KELA application for children born in Finland but without Finnish citizenship.

A KELA card without the bearer’s photograph is free, but one featuring a photo is subject to a fee. The card with photo must be separately ordered, and you will need one passport-size photograph of yourself for it. You can use the KELA card with photograph as an identity card at banks, for instance, but it is not an official identity card. 

The KELA health insurance will also cover some of the costs of private health care.

When you fall ill

When an employee falls ill, he/she has to notify the employer immediately. Usually a medical certificate is required no later than after three days of illness, but some employers require it immediately, on the first day of absence.

When you fall ill, you should consult the company nurse or doctor specified by your employer.Employers must provide occupational health care services for employees to prevent work-related health hazards. At many workplaces, occupational health care is more extensive than that required by the law, covering medical treatment, too.

According to the law and collective bargaining agreements, your employer pays your salary for the period of sickness; the maximum time for which this is paid depends on the length of employment. Usually, if the employment has lasted less than one month, you get half your normal pay. When the employer’s duty to pay wages ends, the employee begins to receive sickness allowance based on the Social Insurance Institution’s health insurance scheme. The allowance is approximately 70 per cent of the person’s normal wages.

When a child falls ill, one of the parents can take time off work to care for the child at home. A family member caring for a severely ill child or spouse at home is entitled to home care allowance.

Emergency health care

The emergency room at Pori Health Centre cares for patients who have fallen ill suddenly and are in need of urgent medical treatment due to an acute illness or injury. The emergency room operates on a queuing with triage basis, treating patients in order of urgency. The medical personnel, including a physician, will determine the priority of treatment for each patient on the basis of the situation.

Doctor on call

Health Centre Emergency Room at the Main Health Centre, open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Maantiekatu 31
Tel. +358 (0)2 621 3501

Health Centre Emergency Room at the Satakunta Central Hospital, open from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Sairaalantie 3
Tel. +358 (0)2 621 3501

Nurse on call for acute cases of illness at
the Main Health Centre Emergency Room from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Maantiekatu 31
Tel. +358 (0)2 621 3501

Satakunta Central Hospital Health Centre Emergency Room, open from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Sairaalantie 3
Tel. +358 (0)2 621 3501

Emergencies / Emergency Number 112

When someone is in mortal danger, you need police assistance, or you have to report a fire, you can call the emergency response centre by dialling 112. Do not call this number in ordinary cases of illness!

- If you can, make the emergency call yourself.
- State what has happened.
- State the exact address and municipality. 
- Answer the questions asked. 
- Follow the instructions given. 
- Do not hang up until told to do so.

Answer the questions calmly, and do not hang up until the ERC operator says you may do so.

No area code is needed when you make an emergency call, not even when calling from a mobile phone. You do not need to insert coins to make an emergency call from a public telephone.

Health centres

The address of residence determines the nominated physician and nurse for each person living in Pori, and it also determines the health centre each person should go to when he/she falls ill. You must make an appointment before consulting a physician or nurse.

Health centre physicians examine and treat both patients who have fallen ill acutely and those suffering from a chronic illness. If necessary, the physician will provide various statements and certificates as well as refer you to a laboratory or x-ray facility.

The health centre fee of 11 eur will be charged for the three first consultations during a calendar year. Those under 18 will not be charged. Do not forget to bring your KELA card with you.

District of Eastern Pori:
The Koivula Health Clinic, Toukolantie 14, tel. +358 (0)2 621 3722
Main Health Centre, Maantiekatu 31, tel. +358 (0)2 621 3537

District of Central Pori: 
Otavankatu Clinic, Otavankatu 3, tel. +358 (0)2 621 3572
Main Health Centre, Maantiekatu 31, tel. +358 (0)2 621 3548

District of Western Pori: 
The Kaanaa Clinic, Juhanintie 8 D, tel. +358 (0)2 638 3341
The Pihlava Health Clinic, Päretie 2, tel. +358 (0)2 621 3740
Main Health Centre, Maantiekatu 31, tel. +358 (0)2 621 3547
The Reposaari Clinic, Kirkkokatu 24, tel. +358 (0)2 638 4027

District of Northern Pori: 
The Ahlainen Health Clinic, Ahlaistentie 595, tel. +358 (0)2 631 5200
Main Health Centre, Maantiekatu 31, tel. +358 (0)2 621 3525

Private physicians

Private physicians and medical clinics are an alternative to health centres. You can usually get an appointment at a private clinic sooner than at a health centre, but the prices are clearly higher. There are two larger private clinics in Pori: Itäpuiston Lääkäriasema and Porin Lääkäritalo. Both clinics have physicians who speak German and French. Do not forget to bring your KELA card with you.

Itäpuiston Lääkäriasema
Itäpuisto 11 B, FI-28100 PORI
Tel. +358 (0)2 622 4100
Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat.-Sun. from 1 p.m. on 
www.itapuisto.com/ 

Porin Lääkäritalo
Itsenäisyydenkatu 33, FI-28100 PORI
Tel. +358 (0)2 522 522, +358 (0)2 522 533
Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat.-Sun. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
www.porinlaakaritalo.fi/ 

School nurses

School nurses and physicians will monitor the development of children. The school nurse will arrange dental care, vaccinations, and examinations of vision and hearing as well as help in matters related to upbringing. Further information is available from the schools.

Medicine

Medicines are sold at chemists’ shops only. Please note! Grocery stores and markets do not sell any medications. Certain medicines require a prescription from a physician, but some medicines are available from chemists without prescription.

Health insurance will compensate you for part of the cost of many medicines; therefore, do not forget your KELA card when you go to the chemist’s. Only medications prescribed by a physician are eligible for compensation. Medication for some severe illnesses will be compensated almost in full.

Chemists provide the option of replacing a medication prescribed by the physician with another, cheaper product if the active ingredient of both medicines is the same. The chemist will inform customers of possible cheaper options.

Chemists: 

Yliopiston Apteekki, Isolinnankatu 21 – open every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Länsi-Porin Apteekki, Ojurintie 2 – opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Porin Keskusapteekki, Eteläkauppatori 4 (at the marketplace) – opening hours: Mon. Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Porin Maantiekadun Apteekki, Maantiekatu 30 (opposite the Main Health Centre) – opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dental Care

Dental care is provided both at health centres and privately. Municipal dental care is intended in the first instance for people born in 1956 and later, and the queues for municipal dental care are usually long, so sometimes it is advisable to consult a private-sector dentist. You can get compensation from the Social Insurance Institution for the costs of private dental care if you live in Finland permanently. However, not the entire sum will be compensated.

Dentist on call at the health centre

On Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., first aid is available for people entitled to care at the health centre. For further information, please contact your local dental clinic.
In addition, on-call service on weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m. is available to all citizens at the Dental Clinic of the Main Health Centre, at Maantiekatu 31, 2nd Floor. Appointments for on-call service can be made by ringing +358 (0)2 621 3625.

Private dentists on call

The Satakunta Dentists’ Association arranges on-call service on weekends and midweek holidays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Fees are according to the private dental care tariffs and are subject to compensation by KELA. The location will be announced weekly in the Satakunnan Kansa newspaper on Saturdays.