Learning what clothes and gear my oldest child needed at daycare took time. For months teachers needed to remind me or my husband that we should bring this or that, or explain what some accessories even were or where to find them. I write this guide for parents that are now in the same situation I was years ago, with children about to attend Finnish daycare and who struggle to understand what a kuratakki is or what proper winter shoes are. What do you need to buy or bring for your child at a Finnish daycare? Here’s everything you need to know.

Waterproof clothes

Most children have a set of waterproof clothes (kuravaatteet or sadevaatteet) kept at daycare. They usually include waterproof jacket, trousers, gloves, and boots (see Shoes later). You can buy also a hat, but it’s not compulsory. They are often put on top of other outdoor clothes, so I suggest buying a larger size. They are made of smooth plastic, you cannot miss them. I like to buy thin ones, but you can find some warmer versions that can replace a mid-season jacket altogether.

Headgear and gloves

Children in Finland spend 90% of their year wearing some kind of hat. In winter, you will likely need a couple of layers, but the most important piece in your collection is the neckwarmer (kauluri). You can buy a neckwarmer and a winter hat, or directly buy a balaclava (kypäräpipo). You can find several versions of these items, some warmer than others. A light neckwarmer is recommended even during spring or fall. Scarves are a no-go, as they represent also a safety hazard.
When it comes to gloves, you have to go waterproof. Wool gloves can be useful as additional layer, but children will play in the snow and mud for hours and need something easy to wash. Usually I buy my kids two pair of gloves every year: winter gloves (warmer, I recommend the sheepwool insert) and mid-season gloves (lighter).

Wool clothes for colder periods

When winter hits, children need to be dressed up in layers. Daycares expect children to have a wool overall (villahaalari) and wool socks. A fleece overall does the job as well.

Outdoor suits and overalls

When it comes to outdoor clothes, there are two schools of thought, one may say. You can opt for an overall that covers the child from shoulders to feet (haalari) or a two-piece suit (trousers and jacket). There are pros and cons to both. The two-piece is a more flexible choice and when weather gets warm one can drop a piece or replace the winter jacket with a lighter one. It also allows older kids to go to toilet easier, as they don’t need to undress completely. On the other hand, a one-piece protects the child from snow or dust creeping inside while she is playing. It’s also quicker to put up.
An important feature for your selection: rubber bands. Most (but not all!) outdoor clothes have rubber or textile bands that go under shoe soles and prevent trousers from crawling up the child’s legs. They are an absolute must! (by they way, you can buy replacements in children clothes’ stores like Name it). The outdoor suit is an important piece: don’t go cheap on this, especially if you plan to recycle it with your younger children.

Shoes

Children usually leave a pair of rainboots at daycare, in case they are needed. You can find two types of rainboots: those with warm padding and those without. Frankly I prefer those without as they are suitable all year long and my children can use wool socks on top of normal if weather is harsh.
Beside waterproof boots, they will need winter and mid-season shoes (välikausikengät). The latter are simply trainers – even though you can find more reliable versions for sale, with Goretex or higher ankle for instance. There are several options when it comes to winter shoes. I have tried many over the years. My best option is winter boots (talvisaappaat), as they are cheap, reliable, and easy to put on for kids. Kuoma is a well-known and affordable brand.

Other stuff

For safety and hygiene reasons, children are expected to use slippers (tossut) inside the daycare premises. It’s also advisable to make sure at least one full change of clothes is available. If your child uses nappies, you may be expected to bring some. Some daycares allows the child to have a teddybear (unikaveri) to keep during naptime.

Remember there’s a lively second-hand market in Finland, so you don’t need to buy everything brand new. If you want to look up items used, I wrote a useful guide for non-Finnish speakers. Facebook Marketplace, Tori.fi, Huuto.net, and second-hand shops (kirppis or kirpputori) are the places where to look up things.