The Association of Kindergarten Teachers in Finland (LTOL) is a trade union with 13 000 kindergarten teachers as members. It is a member of the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ).
Kindergarten teachers with teacher training are experts in early childhood education. LTOL’s members are kindergarten teachers, special kindergarten teachers, day-care centre directors, guided family day care directors, day care inspectors and other professionals in early childhood education.
Nine out of ten kindergarten teachers are employed by local government. Private day-care centres, the central government, the church and intermunicipal corporations are also employers. The average age of members is 43,5.

Experts in early childhood education
LTOL’s goals have remained constant for 90 years. The main areas are three, just as there were in 1919 when the organization was founded:
to defend and develop kindergartens, to ensure a quality childhood and to support education at home
to develop the profession and solidarity and to promote mental and physical well-being on the job
to promote the economic, legal, educational and professional interests of members.
LTOL has a say in decision-making concerning the role of children and families. It works together with educational and social welfare authorities, political decision-makers, nationwide municipal organizations, towns and cities, educational units and organizations in early childhood education, and other organizations.
LTOL takes strong stands on decision-making related to early childhood education and seeks to ensure that day care and public early childhood education are developed to the necessary extent and standard. LTOL’s aim is to guarantee a good day for children in day care.
LTOL is seeking to make the day-care administration part of the early childhood education and school system and to include it in life-long learning.

Promoting the interests of kindergarten teachers together with OAJ
LTOL has 44 regional associations of kindergarten teachers, five of which are Swedish-speaking. Some members belong to LTOL through OAJ locals.
Together with the OAJ, LTOL promotes the interests of its members with respect to salaries, training and professional matters on both the national and local level.
Collective bargaining is in the hands of AKAVA's (the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland) Public Sector Negotiating Commission (JUKO). OAJ also negotiates collective agreements concerning private day-care centres.

"Our salaries shouldn’t be small even if we work with the smallest of people."
Three and a half per cent of Finland’s kindergarten teachers are men. Most kindergarten teachers are women, mainly because the salaries are low. On average, kindergarten teachers earn 2 067 euros a month (statistics for 2006).
There are substantial seasonal fluctuations in the unemployment statistics of kindergarten teachers, with obvious peaks in the summer. Municipal employers often arrange employment for kindergarten teachers in short sequences with a break during the summer months. The employment situation also gets bleaker at the end of the year because contracts are terminated during the Christmas holidays.
According to an extensive study completed in 2006, members consider efforts to raise salaries the main function of LTOL. Ensuring and increasing the quality of day care is also considered important as is increasing respect for early childhood education.

Defending the quality of education
Kindergarten teachers are trained in universities. Their degree is the Bachelor of Arts (Education). LTOL worked for more than 20 years to achieve university status for the training of kindergarten teachers.
LTOL works closely with universities and researchers in early childhood education. Continuous improvements in the quality of early childhood education are the aim.
LTOL has a scholarship fund, which grants money for research in the field.
Kindergarten teachers (BAs in Education) are trained at the University of Helsinki, University of Joensuu, University of Jyväskylä, University of Oulu in Oulu and Kajaani, University of Tampere and University of Turku in Rauma. Training in Swedish takes place in a unit of Åbo Akademi University in Pietarsaari. There is also supplementary and postgraduate education for kindergarten teachers.

Joining and member benefits
Persons who have completed a degree in kindergarten teaching, a BA in education or similar degree can join LTOL. Teachers join through the local associations.
Members are served by local shop stewards, special advisers and officials of regional associations and the offices of the LTOL and OAJ. According to the division of functions between the unions, OAJ is responsible for salary- and employment-related matters and LTOL for professional matters.
LTOL arranges organizational and professional training for its members. Members of LTOL receive various benefits regarding insurance, holidays and certain purchases. Members also belong to an unemployment insurance fund.
LTOL publishes two magazines. One magazine deals with organizational matters and the other, ‘Lastentarha’, with early childhood education. Subscriptions to the latter by non-members are also possible. Members also receive the OAJ magazine, ‘Opettaja’, which is distributed to all OAJ members. There is also an association of students studying to become teachers.

LTOL administration
The highest decision-making authority in the LTOL is the 60-member council, which meets twice a year. The council is elected for a four-year term. The LTOL board of directors comprises a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 12 members.

The LTOL Office
Akavatalo, Rautatieläisenkatu 6
00520 Helsinki
exchange +358 20 7489 400
fax +358 9 142 720
e-mail lastentarha(at)lastentarha.fi
Office of the Association of Kindergarten Teachers
Akava Building, Rautatieläisenkatu 6, 00520 Helsinki
Tel. + 358 20 7489 400