The service network project team selected kindergartens and schools whose future will be assessed

18.3.2026 News Education and training Early childhood education Schools Service network Basic education Culture and well-being Program for a stable economy

Colorful alphabet and pictures close-up on the wall. — Photo: Jenniina Nummela

The work on updating the early childhood education and basic education service network in the city of Riihimäki has progressed. The project team has selected two daycare centers, two elementary schools and one middle school, whose future it will assess during the spring.

"The project team has considered the matter from many different perspectives. These choices have been made based on, among other things, assessments of the condition and need for investment of the properties, the functionality of the facilities and their accessibility," says Director of Education Jari Lausvaara.

The project team is the Education and Welfare Board. The aim of the work is to find the most appropriate service network in terms of economy and urban structure in a situation where the number of children is decreasing significantly.

The City Council decided to start work on updating the early childhood education and basic education service network at its meeting on December 8, 2025. The target schedule for completion of the work is May 2026.

Five units under review

In February, the project group decided to examine the kindergarten network during the spring through two different options. The group decided to examine the basic education network through three different options. The project group has now clarified which units will be examined in the different options.

Early childhood education:

Option 1: Two early childhood education units will be abandoned and a new daycare center will be built in their place. According to the project team's decision, this option will consider abandoning Saturnus Daycare Center (Saturnuksenkatu 2) and Junailijankatu Päätalo Daycare Center (Junailijankatu 14). Saturnus Daycare Center will operate as part of Peltosaari Daycare Center. Junailijankatu Daycare Center is located in the city center.

Option 2: We will study the growth trends of the urban structure by city district: we will examine the future population growth of the Herajoki, city centre and Peltosaari-Kokko areas and ensure sufficient early childhood education capacity in the 2030s. This option will be refined as the work progresses.

In both options, preschool education is organized in connection with schools.

The project group also specified the options to be explored for the basic education network.

Basic education:

Option 1: One elementary school will be abandoned. According to the project team's decision, this option will consider abandoning either the Herajoki (Rintapellontie 14) or Lasitehtaan (Tehtaankatu 27) schools.

Option 2: One middle school will be abandoned. Sixth grade students will remain in elementary schools. According to the project group's decision, this will examine the abandonment of the Pohjolanrinne (Pohjolankatu 8) school.

Option 3: One primary and secondary school will be abandoned. In addition, the placement of sixth-grade students in primary and secondary schools will be investigated. According to the project group's decision, this will examine the abandonment of the Herajoki, Lasitehta and Pohjolanrinne schools.

Riihimäki currently has ten kindergartens, three middle schools and six elementary schools. This figure does not include Peltosaari Elementary School, which the city council decided on March 16, 2026, to close starting from the next school year.

The project team requests statements from city institutions

Next, the project team will request statements on updating the service network from the Vitality Board, Technical Board, Welfare Division, Youth Council, Disability Council and Elderly Council. The institutions are requested to provide their statements no later than April 19, 2026.

Each institution is asked to express its views from the perspective of its own task. Proposals for statements will appear on the agendas of the institutions' upcoming meetings in the city. on the kunta2.riihimaki.fi service.

In addition to the requests for opinions, the city will organize hearings for various parties in the spring. The city will inform city residents about the participation opportunities when the schedules are finalized. In addition to websites and social media, communication is carried out, among other things, through the student administration system Wilma and the early childhood education digital service system Daisy.

Decreasing number of children reduces government transfers

The service network study is based on the significant decrease in the number of children in Riihimäki, which will reduce the government transfers the city receives in the coming years and thus increase the need for economic adjustment. The study is a key part of the preparation of the city's stable economic program.

In the study, the service network refers to the network of daycare centers, preschools, and elementary and middle school locations.

More information about the city's service network can be found at From the Service Network Report websiteThe page includes, among other things, the project group's meeting notes.