What’s New in Espoo

Here you can find current information and useful tips for living and everyday life in Espoo. Information about services, events and important dates.

Native language instruction for grades 1–9: Enroll for autumn classes

The application period for the school year 2026–2027 is open from 1 January to 30 April 2026. Submit your application in the Wilma system during the application period.

Native language instruction is supplementary basic education. It is intended for pupils with an immigrant background who live in Espoo.

By pupils with an immigrant background, we mean:

pupils who have moved to Finland from abroad
pupils with a second-generation immigrant background
pupils with a third-generation immigrant background.

Espoo offers native language instruction in over 50 languages. You can check the detailed list of languages here.

Native language instruction is provided 90 minutes per week, which equals two lessons. Participation is voluntary and free of charge for the pupil.

Pupils in basic education from grades 1 to 9 can take part in the teaching. Upper secondary school students (lukio) have their own native language courses. Once a pupil starts attending, they must participate regularly.

More information about mother tongue instruction.

If you have questions related to native language instruction, you can contact: oak@espoo.fi

Cultural instructors provide multilingual guidance and support for families. In Espoo’s basic education, cultural instruction is available in Albanian, Arabic, Chinese, Kurdish (Sorani), Persian (Dari/Farsi), and Somali. The cultural instructors also speak English.

Shqipe Muharremi (Albanian)
Abla El Ouahabi (Arabic)
Maryam Al-Qased (Arabic)
Hui Tian-Hänninen (Chinese)
Manuchehr Salimi (Kurdish–Sorani, Dari and Farsi)
Abdulkadir Abshir (Somali)

New screen time recommendations for children

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has published new screen time recommendations for children.

Children need interaction, play, reading, physical activity, outdoor time, regular meals and enough sleep. Adults must limit screen time when necessary. It is good for young children to use digital content together with an adult.

Children aged 0–5 years

Experts do not recommend any screen time for children under 2 years old.
Family video calls or looking at photos together can be exceptions.

For children aged 2–5 years, experts recommend a maximum of one hour of screen time per day.

Children can listen to music, stories and audiobooks without watching a screen.

Children aged 6–13 years

For children aged 6–10 years, experts recommend a maximum of one hour of screen time per day.

For children aged 11–13 years, the recommendation is a maximum of two hours per day.

Occasionally children can use devices more. Watching movies together as a family or playing games with friends can be good shared activities from time to time.

Experts do not recommend a personal smartphone for 6–13-year-olds.

If parents want to buy a phone for a child in this age group, they should choose a phone with only limited features, such as calling and messaging.

Parents must ensure that the child uses the phone responsibly. A child does not need their own device to learn digital skills.

Do not let your child use screens right before bedtime.
Do not use digital devices to calm your child down.
Follow age limits for apps, games and programmes. Children under 13 are not allowed to use social media services.
Children should watch only age-appropriate content that supports their wellbeing.
Do not let your child watch violent, sexual or substance-related content.
Talk with your child about the content they see. Practise safe digital use together.
Make sure that restrictions are installed on the child’s device. Ensure that your child cannot secretly use adults’ devices.
Your own digital habits serve as an example. It is harmful for children if parents spend too much time on their screens.
If you are worried about your child's digital device use, you can ask for help from maternity and child health clinics, school welfare services, social services or organisations.
Read more in different languages:
Screen time recommendations in English(external link, opens in a new window)
Screen time recommendations in Ukrainian(external link, opens in a new window)
Screen time recommendations in Russian(external link, opens in a new window)

Tell us your opinion: How have you been treated when using the services of the City of Espoo?

What do you think of the following statements?

“I have experienced discrimination in the city’s services.”

“I usually feel that city personnel care about me.”

Participate in the Voxit discussion from 26 March to 21 April 2026.(external link, opens in a new window) New statements can be added until 9 April. After that, we encourage you to vote on statements submitted by other people.

Think about your encounters in, for example:

early childhood education and care, schools, and youth facilities
libraries, culture events and museums
sports facilities and services
service centres and customer service
employment services.

The Voxit discussion is open to all Espoo residents and you can participate in different languages. Voxit translates statements into the language you use in your internet browser or your own smart device.

By participating, you will help us improve our services. The results of the discussion will be used in the preparation of an encounter training programme for Espoo personnel and in the development of services by different city units.

Join the discussion – your opinion matters!

What’s New in Espoo

Native language instruction for grades 1–9: Enroll for autumn classes

Native language instruction in Espoo

Would you like to ask for more information, or do you need help with enrolling in native language instruction?

New screen time recommendations for children

Recommendations for different age groups

Parents, remember this

Tell us your opinion: How have you been treated when using the services of the City of Espoo?