Hiring a Babysitter in Finland: What Parents Need to Know
Thinking of hiring a babysitter? Whether you need occasional help or regular care, understanding the hiring process, legal responsibilities, and best practices is essential. This guide gives you practical tips for finding a babysitter in Finland and important legal obligations you should be aware of. With the right approach, parents can ensure a safe and reliable childcare arrangement that works for their family.
What Makes Families in Finland Look for Babysitters
In Finland, parents benefit from long paid parental leave followed by access to public childcare. It may seem counterintuitive for a family to choose paid babysitting services when free daycare is available. However, every household has unique needs, and there are some common reasons why parents opt to hire a babysitter.
Lack of support network
The lack of a local support system is one of the main reasons families seek babysitting services to manage daily responsibilities and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Childcare has traditionally been a family affair. In many cultures, this is still the case, with grandparents and extended family members helping parents raise their children. However, in Finland, traditional family support structures have changed. Most young families cannot rely on support from extended family or friends. This is also true for international families who move to Finland and lack the support network they would have had in their home country.
Delaying start of daycare
In Finland, children can start public daycare (päiväkoti) at the age of nine months, which aligns with the end of the typical parental leave period. However, some parents may need childcare earlier if they wish to return to work before their child reaches that age. In such cases, hiring a babysitter can provide a flexible solution. Even after children become eligible for daycare, some families prefer to keep them at home longer, delaying daycare until the child is older. Research suggests that staying at home longer can support emotional security, reduce stress, and promote stronger parent-child attachment, which can be especially important in the early years. Babysitting allows parents to return to the workforce while their child receives individual attention in a familiar environment.
Need for occasional help
Occasional babysitting is the most common form of private childcare services sought by parents. As people recognize that personal time and mental well-being are critical aspects of parenting, taking occasional breaks from childcare responsibilities is no longer seen as a luxury. These breaks become a necessity for maintaining emotional health and relationship quality among family members. This is especially important for single parents or in cases when both parents have to manage demanding professional careers. Babysitters provide an essential service that allows parents to manage their time more effectively.
These are some common reasons to look for a babysitter, but what are the childcare options available to families in Finland?
Childcare Alternatives in Finland
Finland offers diverse childcare options to meet different family needs. The traditional päiväkoti (daycare centers) provide structured early education and care in a professional setting, following the national curriculum. For those seeking a more intimate environment, perhepäivähoito (family daycare) are small, home-based groups cared for by trained caregivers, offering a homely environment.
It’s also possible to organize your own childcare group and participate in perheryhmä (family groups). These are informal groups where parents share childcare responsibilities within their trusted network. Another popular alternative for childcare is hiring an Au pair. In this case, families combine childcare with cultural exchange by welcoming international helpers who provide care while experiencing Finnish life and often learning the language.
While regular family-based childcare has become less common, informal support networks still play a vital role in occasional childcare arrangements. Extended family members frequently step in for occasional babysitting needs and families often develop reciprocal childcare arrangements with friends who have children of similar ages. Even neighbors, particularly in tight-knit communities, sometimes participate in these informal childcare exchanges.
Despite the many childcare options available in Finland, some parents still choose traditional babysitters, even though it can be costly. Babysitters offer flexibility, especially for evenings, weekends, or last-minute needs when daycare or family daycare isn’t available. Unlike structured childcare, a babysitter provides one-on-one attention in the child’s own home.
Where to Find a Babysitter in Finland
Looking for a babysitter can be overwhelming, as parents want someone reliable and experienced to care for their children. In Finland, there are several channels that families can use to search for the right professional.
- Online platforms: Websites and apps like Sitly connect families with babysitters, allowing parents to check profiles, reviews, and availability.
- Social media and expat groups: Facebook, WhatsApp, and local forums often have dedicated groups where parents can find trusted babysitters, especially in larger cities.
- Agencies: Professional childcare agencies offer vetted babysitters, ensuring reliability and experience, though this option can be more expensive.
- Word of mouth: Finland is a small country, so asking neighbors, colleagues, or friends for recommendations can be a great way to find a trusted babysitter.
Using a mix of these strategies increases the chances of finding the right fit for your family’s needs.
Legal Obligations for Hiring a Babysitter in Finland
Hiring a babysitter in Finland involves specific legal and financial responsibilities that families must understand. The tax obligations depend on whether the individual is hired as an employee or the service is purchased from a company or self-employed person.
1. Babysitter as an Employee
General Employer Obligations
If the babysitter is hired as an employee, the family generally has the same obligations as any other employer. This includes adhering to regulations regarding paying wages, insurance, and reporting information.
Tax and Social Security Contributions
Ennakonpidätys (Tax Withholding): Generally, employers must withhold income tax (ennakonpidätys) from the employee’s wages. However, a household is not obligated to withhold tax if the total payments to the babysitte do not exceed 1,500 euros in a calendar year. Even if not required, it is recommended to withhold tax if the employee requests it.
Työnantajan sairausvakuutusmaksu (Employer’s Health Insurance Contribution): The family is obligated to pay the employer’s health insurance contribution if the wages paid to the babysitter exceed 1,500 euros in a calendar year. However, this contribution is not required if the employee is under 16 or 68 years or older.
Työeläkevakuutusmaksu (Employee Pension Insurance): The family is required to pay pension insurance for the employee if their gross salary exceeds a set minimum limit. The obligation begins at the start of the month following the employee turning 17, and continues until the employee reaches a certain age based on their birth year.
Työttömyysvakuutusmaksu (Unemployment Insurance): The employer has a duty to pay unemployment insurance if a set minimum wage amount is exceeded during the calendar year.
Työtapaturma- ja ammattitautivakuutusmaksu (Work accident and occupational disease insurance): The family is obligated to insure their employee against work accidents and occupational diseases, if the salary amount paid during the calendar year exceeds a set minimum.
Reporting to the Tulorekisteri (Incomes Register): The family must report the wages paid and any withheld taxes to the Incomes Register. This is done via a Palkkatietoilmoitus (earnings payment report). If the family is obligated to pay the employer’s health insurance contribution, they must also submit a Työnantajan erillisilmoitus (employer’s separate report) on a monthly basis.
Record-keeping: The family should keep records of the wages paid, taxes withheld, and other relevant information for six years following the end of the year in which the payment was made.
Tositteenantovelvollisuus (Issuing a receipt): The family must provide the employee with a receipt of the wages paid and taxes withheld by January 15th of the following year.
2. Purchasing Services from a Company or Self-Employed Person (Toimeksiantosuhde):
Checking the Ennakkoperintärekisteri (Prepayment Register): The family must check whether the company or self-employed person is registered in the Ennakkoperintärekisteri. This can be done via the YTJ service.
- If Registered: If the service provider is registered in the Ennakkoperintärekisteri, the family simply pays the invoice. The service provider is responsible for their own taxes and social security contributions.
- If Not Registered: If the service provider is not registered in the Ennakkoperintärekisteri, the family is generally required to withhold income tax from the payment, unless the total payments to the service provider do not exceed 1,500 euros in a calendar year. The family must report the payment and any withheld taxes to the Incomes Register. The family does not need to pay the employer’s health insurance contribution in this case, regardless of the amount paid.
Tositteenantovelvollisuus (Issuing a receipt): The family must provide the service provider with a receipt of the payments made and taxes withheld by January 15th of the following year.
Record-keeping: The family should keep records of the payments made and taxes withheld for six years following the end of the year in which the payment was made.
3. Kotitalousvähennys (Household Deduction):
A family can deduct part of the costs for work done at home. This deduction can be claimed if the work is done by a hired employee or a company/self-employed person that is registered in the Ennakkoperintärekisteri
Understanding these obligations ensures a fair and legal arrangement for both families and babysitters. Always check Vero’s website for the most up-to-date wage limits and requirements.
Final Thoughts
When selecting a babysitter in Finland, thorough screening is essential for both family safety and peace of mind. Start by verifying basic qualifications: first aid certification, childcare experience, and language skills that match your family’s needs. Background checks are common practice, often including reference verification from previous employers and, sometimes, official criminal record checks. Communication expectations should be clearly established from the start.
Whether hiring independently or through an agency, document all agreements regarding duties, hours, and compensation. A good practice is to offer a paid trial period (typically 1-2 sessions) to observe the babysitter’s interaction with children and assess their compatibility with your family values and parenting styles.
