FIVE YEARS OF THE “INCLUSIVE CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE” PROJECT

From December 2023 to January 2024, a media campaign was conducted within the framework of the “Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care” project, aiming to raise public awareness about the importance of early inclusion of children in the preschool education system, the increase in capacity and accessibility of the preschool education system through the construction of new, and the adaptation and reconstruction of existing facilities, as well as the significance of introducing new program concepts in kindergartens.

For the past five years, the “Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care” project and the implementation of the “Years of Ascent” concept have been improving the accessibility, quality, and equity of preschool education for every child from birth to 6.5 years old, especially for children from vulnerable social groups.

With the support of the World Bank, €47 million has been allocated for the project, with the main activities including the construction of new and the extension of existing facilities, adaptation and reconstruction of existing facilities to expand capacity and improve conditions for the implementation of educational work in kindergartens, as well as the improvement of the competencies of professional staff for the application of modern pedagogical approaches in working with children.

About 224,000 children of preschool age and their families, preschool institutions and over 22,000 practitioners, local communities (units of local self-government, institutions of education, health and social care), state administration institutions in charge of preschool upbringing and education will benefit from the project.

An important part of the project is the continuous improvement of the knowledge and skills of professional staff for the application of new program concepts, which has been attended by 95% of educators so far, and all public preschool institutions have received mentoring support. The expertise of staff in the areas of digital competencies, quality assessment of preschool education, and the application of an inclusive approach in education has been improved. Activities are underway to improve the programs of all 16 higher education institutions that educate preschool teachers.

The organization of Parenthood Fairs across Serbia aimed to support families and children and contribute to raising awareness about the importance of early inclusion and integration of children into the preschool education system. The Parenthood Fairs are an example of a new and direct way of communication between parents and institutions at the local level, during which parents had the opportunity to learn through educational and interactive workshops how to improve their parenting skills and why kindergartens are a good environment for their children’s growth. Additionally, these events aim to provide parents with important information about the rights and services offered by local institutions, establishments, and organizations in one place.

So far, through the “Inclusive Childhood Education and Care” project:

Nine kindergartens have been built in 22 local self-governments, with 14 more facilities under construction, which will provide almost 4,000 new places for preschool children.

Over 250 adapted, renovated, and equipped educational rooms for almost 5,000 children.

400 rooms equipped with ICT equipment and low mobile furniture.

Almost 22,000 practitioners trained to apply the “Years of Ascent”.

Projects funded in 34 local self-governments.

Increased accessibility of kindergartens for almost 4,000 children from vulnerable social groups.

You can follow the project on our Facebook page “Veliki ljudi od malih nogu”, and video materials available on our YouTube channel.

For more information, join and follow the Viber group “Veliki ljudi od malih nogu”.