Afternoon activities in basic education
The application period for afternoon activities for the 2026–2027 school year begins on 02 February 2026 and ends on 18 February 2026.
In Kuopio, afternoon activities in basic education for the 2026–2027 school year are primarily intended for first grade pupils. Any places remaining in the groups will be assigned in accordance with Sections 20c and 20i of the Basic Education Act to pupils in receipt of pupil-specific support and pupils who meet the criteria for inclusion in the activities in the second grade.
Pupils in first grade, pupils in receipt of pupil-specific support in accordance with Sections 20c and 20i of the Basic Education Act, and second grade pupils who meet the criteria for inclusion may apply for afternoon activity places.
The February application period is 02–18 February 2026 and the May application period is 04–20 May 2026. In urban areas, an activity group will be formed for the schools where at least ten applications from first grade pupils have been received by the end of May. In rural areas, an activity group will be formed for the schools where at least four applications from first grade pupils have been received by the end of May. For groups in urban areas, the activities run from 12:00 to 16:00, while at rural area schools the timings may vary.
If no afternoon activity group is formed at a school, the aforementioned pupils will be offered the opportunity to participate in afternoon activities in a group at another school. If a pupil participates in the activities of a group at another school, the guardian is responsible for transporting the child to the other school and back home after the afternoon activities end.
If during the school year the number of pupils falls below the number required to establish a group, the group may be disbanded or combined with another group. No new groups will be formed during the school year.
The aim of afternoon activities is to support the upbringing work taking place at home and school and development of the child’s emotional skills, and to provide a safe way for children to spend their leisure time. At afternoon activities, children participate in activities planned, guided and supervised by instructors. For example, they may do crafts, play, do homework, and spend time outdoors. Snack times are also considered educational moments.
Applying for afternoon activities for the 2026–2027 school year
- The February application period is 02–18 February 2026 and the May application period is 04–20 May 2026.
- Afternoon acitives can be applied for online, via the Wilma app (https://kuopio.inschool.fi/?langid=3). Please use a computer to fill in the online application form. The online application form is only open during the application periods. If a guardian is unable to fill in the online application form, they may fill in a paper application form.
- Any places remaining in the groups will be assigned in accordance with Sections 20c and 20i of the Basic Education Act to pupils in receipt of pupil-specific support and second grade pupils. The necessary grounds (certificates and statements) for these pupils must be provided with the application form, either as an appendix to the email or by post.
- After May, first grade pupils moving to Kuopio during the school year, and pupils whose situation regarding fulfilling the criteria for the activities has changed after May may apply for a place in afternoon activities. Paper application forms must be returned by post to: City of Kuopio, Service Area for Education and Learning, PO Box 1097, 70111 Kuopio or by delivering a paper application form to Valtuustotalo, Suokatu 42, and placing it in the postbox outside stairwell A, or by sending it as an appendix to a secure email. ( Instructions for sending secure emails).
- Places for private school pupils may be applied for with paper application forms. If a guardian is unable to print out the application form, they may request a form from the school or via the afternoon activities web page.
Criteria for inclusion in activities
After pupils in first grade have been assigned places, any places remaining in the groups will be assigned in accordance with Sections 20c and 20i of the Basic Education Act to pupils in receipt of pupil-specific support and second grade pupils in the following order:
- pupils from other grades receiving pupil-specific support in accordance with Section 20i of the Basic Education Act, who are entitled to short-term care as defined in the Disability Services Act;
- pupils in receipt of pupil-specific support under Section 20c of the Basic Education Act;
- pupils in second grade who have serious health related grounds, assessed individually and based on a medical certificate, such as severe diabetes, epilepsy or severe heart disease;
- pupils in second grade on the basis of official statements, to be assessed separately, for custody-related reasons;
- pupils in second grade needing to participate in an afternoon activity due to work or studies of the guardians, on the basis of supporting documents provided by the guardians;
- other second grade pupils
- the guardian shall provide the necessary supporting certificates and statements to the Service Area for Education and Learning’s support services
Activity fees
- €120, if the child attends a maximum of 12 days of activities per calendar month
- €160, if the child attends more than 12 days of activities per calendar month
- Activities do not take place during school holiday periods.
- An activity fee is charged for each month when a child has attended afternoon activities.
Impact of absences on activity fees
- If a child is ill for an entire calendar month, no fee is charged.
- If a child is ill for 11 days or more during a calendar month, only half of the monthly fee shall be charged.
- If a child is absent for an entire calendar month for a reason other than their own illness, only half of the activity fee shall be charged.
Applying for an exemption from the activity fee or halving of the activity fee in the 2026–2027 school year
- An exemption from the activity fee can be applied for with a separate application form, and this must be accompanied by the latest relevant statements or certificates. The application form and statements or certificates must be delivered together.
- A fee exemption is granted if the family’s income is below the income limit for early childhood education and care client fees, if the family receives social assistance, or on the basis of a statement from a Child Welfare social worker.
- Halving of the activity can be applied for with a separate application form. The activity fee is halved if the family have at least three children in afternoon activities and/or daycare.
- Application forms may be completed online, in the e-services. The links to the online application forms can be found on the afternoon activities webpage. The links will be updated in August to the Finnish-language versions of the afternoon activities pages. For more information: https://www.kuopio.fi/en/early-childhood-education-and-care-education-and-youth-services/basic-education/afternoon-activities-and-school-club-activities/
- Paper application forms, with appendices, should be returned when the child starts afternoon activities, by post to: City of Kuopio, Service Area for Education and Learning, PO Box 1097, 70111 Kuopio or as an appendix to a secure email. Instructions for secure emails: Secure email – Kuopio. Application forms can also be submitted at Valtuustotalo, Suokatu 42, in the postbox outside stairwell A.
- Decisions are made from the start of the month when the application was received. Incomplete application forms will not be processed and decisions will not be made retrospectively.
Notice of changes
- Guardians may submit notice of changes (e.g. a move or change in the activity hours needed) via the Wilma app, using the ‘Change to afternoon activities in basic education form’, or by email to: iltapaivatoiminta@kuopio.fi. Please state your child’s name, school, and the word ‘muutos’ (‘change’) in your email.
- A guardian may terminate a place online, via the Wilma app, using the ‘Change to afternoon activities in basic education form’, or by email to: iltapaivatoiminta@kuopio.fi. Terminations will come into effect from the start of the next month.
Afternoon Activities in Basic Education
Email address: iltapaivatoiminta@kuopio.fi
Phone number: 044 718 1388
Phoneline open: Mon 13:00–15:00, Tue–Fri 09:00–11:00.
Address: Kuopion Kaupunki, Sivistystoimiala, Iltapäivätoiminta, PL 1097, 70111 Kuopio
Visiting address: Valtuustotalo, Suokatu 42 A
The phoneline is staffed by the afternoon activities secretary and planner. In-person meetings must be agreed upon in advance by email or phone. The phoneline and email address are not staffed in July.
Maria Louhimo
Coordinator for afternoon activities
+358 44 718 1388
Virve Varonen
Secretary for afternoon activities