Home education in Finland:

A practical guide for 2025

A clear, simple guide for families exploring their options.

In Finland, education is compulsory, not school attendance.

Home education (kotiopetus) is legal and does not require prior permission. However, the municipality must supervise the child’s progress against the national core curriculum; parents are responsible for arranging instruction and showing progress when asked.

Is schooling from home legal in Finland?

Yes. Section 26 of the Basic Education Act states that a child can fulfil compulsory education either by attending school or by receiving equivalent education elsewhere. Parents must notify their municipality, which oversees and evaluates progress.

What are the steps?

1
Notify your municipality that your child will complete compulsory education at home.
2
Prepare a learning plan aligned with the national core curriculum.
3
Agree on supervision methods (portfolios, periodic meetings, tests).
4
Keep evidence of progress; expect periodic checks.
5
If abroad temporarily, you may use Finnish distance programmes (e.g., Etäkoulu Kulkuri/Nomadskolan).
In Finland, families who choose kotikoulu (home education) must notify their local municipality and ensure their child receives an education equivalent to that provided in schools. It offers freedom in how children learn, but it also means parents are responsible for planning lessons, keeping records, and cooperating with municipal supervisors who review progress once or twice a year.
That’s where
helps

What is bina and how is it different?

bina is a global, accredited online school for children ages 4–12.

We offer live, interactive, small-group learning that brings the energy and connection of a great classroom into your home.

Small, live classes with caring teachers

Classes are capped at 7 students, so teachers know your child’s name, learning style, and interests. You stay as involved as you want to be while we handle the teaching and structure.

A curriculum that fits your child

Your child learns at a pace that works for them, with space to explore their interests and the support they need to thrive. Our accredited programme is internationally recognised, giving you peace of mind that they’re learning what matters.

Friendships and belonging

Children make genuine friends with classmates from around the world. In small groups, they build confidence, practise social skills, and feel part of a real community — all from the safety of home.

You stay in the know

You’ll get weekly updates on what your child is learning and quarterly progress reports. A dedicated family success manager works with you to make sure everything fits your goals as a parent.
For legal purposes, families in Finland are considered to be home educating. Parents hold the duty to provide a suitable education, but with bina you don’t have to do the teaching yourself. We provide the full school experience.

What parents say

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

Find out if bina is right for you

1
Book a free consultation to see how bina can fit your family’s goals, schedule, and lifestyle.
2
Join a bina adventure with your child and walk away with tailored growth insights — no strings attached.
We’re happy to answer your questions and help you figure out what’s possible for your family.
Whether you’re ready to make a change or just gathering information, we’re here to help.

The questions we hear most from parents like you.

Will my child keep up with Finland’s curriculum?

Yes. bina’s accredited programme aligns closely with the Finnish National Core Curriculum. We share clear progress reports you can use during your municipality’s supervision reviews.

Will my child make friends if we learn from home?

Absolutely. Small, live classes and clubs help children connect quickly with classmates across Finland and around the world.

How much of my time will this take as a parent?

We handle the teaching, structure, and curriculum. You support your child’s daily routine and cooperate with your local municipality’s supervision, but you’re not expected to be the teacher.

Can we return to public or private school later?

Yes. bina’s accredited curriculum keeps your child aligned with Finnish standards, so transitions back to local or international schools are smooth.

What about screens?

Classes are held in short, focused blocks with plenty of movement, creative work, and off-screen activities built into each day.

Do we need approval to homeschool?

No formal approval is required, but families must notify their local municipality (kunta) that they are providing home education.

Will bina’s programme meet municipal supervision requirements?

Yes. bina’s structured lessons and detailed progress reports make it simple to demonstrate that your child’s learning meets the objectives of the national curriculum.

How often will the municipality check progress?

Most municipalities arrange one or two check-ins per year. These are supportive reviews meant to ensure your child is making steady progress.

What if we move abroad?

bina travels with you. We’ll help you understand local education requirements wherever you go, so your child’s learning remains consistent and compliant.