Early childhood education teacher Salla Katajapelto, a University of Helsinki alum, is the deputy director of a daycare centre and runs a pub quiz in the evenings. Amidst everything going on in her life, she finds that working in early childhood education gives her a sense of meaning.
Some find purpose in life through work, others through leisure. Still others, like Salla Katajapelto, enjoy a variety of activities. She is an early childhood education teacher, the deputy director of a daycare centre, a tango singer and a pub quiz host.
She runs a weekly pub quiz at Street Bar in Helsinki's Kallio district, which offers a welcome contrast to her work at a daycare centre. Many take the quiz quite seriously, so few come along drunk.
"I run a quiz concept called Baaripähkinä (Bar Brain Buster). I started doing it for a bit of extra cash, but now it's not really about the money. I enjoy taking the mic, and many of the regulars have become good mates I love chatting and catching up with."
A University of Helsinki alum, Katajapelto graduated from the Faculty of Educational Sciences as an early childhood education teacher in 2013 and a Master of Arts in Education in 2020.
She completed the final year of her bachelor's degree quite literally with a newborn in her arms.
"The atmosphere at Siltavuorenpenger was really child-friendly. It showed in the way I was always allowed to bring my baby to class. We sat in on lectures together, and I even did presentations with the little one in tow."
Dodging a career in early childhood teaching only to land in one
Rather than stumbling into early childhood education, Katajapelto almost actively avoided it. For years, she looked for another option. Her sister was already a teacher in the field, and Katajapelto kept wondering: Shouldn't I come up with something a bit more original?
She spent several years working first with adolescents and then with younger children. After a year in a daycare centre without formal training, it became obvious: she was most drawn to working with preschool-aged children. That's when Katajapelto applied for bachelor's studies in early childhood education at the University of Helsinki.
She wanted the pedagogical qualifications for a job that felt like the right fit.
"I believe the University really gave me a strong theoretical foundation in pedagogy. At the bachelor's stage, I wasn't focused on my career path, and I didn't begin my master's studies with the intention of becoming a daycare centre director. But now that's where my path appears to be leading."
In Finland, the qualification for early childhood education teachers is a Bachelor of Arts in Education. It is also possible to complete a Bachelor of Social Services in early childhood education at a university of applied sciences. Katajapelto wanted to build on the skills she had gained during her bachelor's by pursuing a master's degree.
"Over the years I used to wonder what I'd become when I grew up. But now I firmly believe I've developed such solid expertise in early childhood education that it wouldn't make sense to change careers at this point."
Katajapelto describes how cutbacks have impacted her sector: qualified staff are hard to find, and dwindling resources often drive even highly motivated professionals to other careers.
"But at least here in Helsinki, the situation with qualified staff is gradually improving. For instance, new training pathways have been introduced to help people qualify for the sector. It's great news, as we really need more people in early childhood education, and quickly."
The Act on Early Childhood Education and Care, set to be amended at the start of 2030, requires each group of children to have at least two academically educated employees.
The qualifications for an early childhood education teacher can be obtained, for example, through blended learning.
New role as tennis coach for young players
Katajapelto herself has recently added a new role, albeit one personal rather than professional, to her already packed schedule. On top of everything else, she's now coaching junior tennis players.
"I began playing tennis myself, and when my club learnt what I do for a living, they asked me to supervise the youngest group of players. I agreed because I wanted to support my club and help children enjoy a great start to their hobby."
Katajapelto believes that time is never an issue when something truly interests you.
A few years ago, before turning 40, she really thought about what makes her job appealing.
"I went through a bit of a mid-life moment, asking myself why I do what I do. Frank Martela says in his book that happiness comes from meaning. That's when I realised my work is really meaningful and that I'm in the right field."
