To support the directors of all public preschool institutions and educational advisors of school administrations, in cooperation with UNICEF and through component 2 of the project Inclusive Preschool Education and Care, in the period April – May 2023, 9 two-day consultations on the topic “Organization and management of the institution” were successfully implemented. Directors of preschool institutions (PU), educational advisers of school administrations, and principals of primary schools (primary schools) – presidents of municipal principals’ activities took part in the consultations.

The first day of counseling, for PU directors and educational advisors, was dedicated to the areas of quality: Organization and management of the institution and Professional learning community. First, the directors of preschool institutions, 4 each in the morning and afternoon sessions through the prism of the Quality Standards for the work of preschool institutions, presented examples of inspiring practice to their fellow directors. The directors’ presentations showed how their activities contributed to the development of the quality of the institution’s work in different domains – who supported them all in the process of change, what challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. Examples of inspiring practice were presented to their fellow directors by Tanja Jovanovic, director of the preschool institution from Zajecar, Milka Simic, director of the preschool institution from Kragujevac Vanja Milutinovic, director of the preschool institution from Zagubica, Biljana Gajic, director of the preschool institution from Cukarica, Jelena Selak, director of the preschool institution from Odzak, Snezana Bulatovic, director of the preschool institution from Kula, Marija Starcevic, director of preschool institution from Velika Plana, Suzana Simeunovic, director of the preschool institution from Cacak, Radmila Arandjelovic, director of PU from Rakovica, Ana Lacarak, director of PU from Backi Petrovac and Jasmina Bouali, director of PU from Zemun.

Presentations of examples of inspiring practice at the forums that followed were the occasion and initiator of discussion and exchange between the participants, principals, and educational advisors, and an opportunity to ask the principals who presented their practice additional questions. At the end of the day, the directors were given guidelines for preparing a presentation of their practice to colleagues, at various meetings of the horizontal exchange between the directors.

The second day of counseling, in which, in addition to educational advisors and directors of PU, the presidents of the municipal assets of primary school directors took part, was dedicated to the transition from preschool institutions to elementary school. After the presentation of the training “On the common path of learning” which was intended for and was attended by expert associates from primary schools and teachers – coordinators of professional councils for class teaching, the participants created Action Plans to support children and families during the transition from kindergarten to elementary school.

The last block of counseling was an opportunity to look at the challenges faced by the actors of PU and primary schools, as well as children and families in transition, and to think about ways to overcome them. A significant insight is that it is important to include parents as partners in the development of plans. Conferences were held in Belgrade, Nis, Novi Sad, Valjevo, Kragujevac, Cacak, Vranje, Zrenjanin, and Vrnjacka Banja, and about 270 participants took part in them. The participants expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to strengthen themselves professionally and improve their competencies through exchanges with colleagues.

You can see the photos here.

In Kragujevac, in the “Ciciban” Kindergarten, on Saturday, June 10, 2023. the sixth Association Fair was held in the organization of the Ministry of Education and the City of Kragujevac, within the project “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care”.

The parenting fair, during which 16 workshops for children and parents were held, was opened by Assistant Minister of Education Dr. Milan Pasic in the presence of Dusan Aleksic, President of the City Council for Education of the City of Kragujevac and Sanja Jakovljevic, Director of PU “DJurdjevdan”.

“The inclusion of all children, especially those from vulnerable social groups, in the system of preschool upbringing and education is the key to healthy and happy growing up.” Through the Inclusive preschool education project, we have so far organized parenting fairs in Cacak, Sombor, Vranje, Loznica, and Novi Pazar, which were visited by more than 2,000 parents with their children. I am glad that the Parenting Fair is also being held in Kragujevac today, and on this occasion, I remind you that we recently signed a contract for the construction of a new kindergarten in the settlement of Erdec, which will provide 270 new places for children in Karagujevac,” said Assistant Minister of Education Dr. Milan Pasic.

During the fair, visitors could get information about services and types of support for families with children provided by more than 20 institutions. Also, this was an opportunity for them to learn how to improve their parenting skills through various educational and interactive workshops, as well as to participate in creative, research, sports, and other activities.

“The parenting fair as part of the Inclusive preschool upbringing and Education project, of which the city of Kragujevac is a participant, is an opportunity for parents to be informed in one place about the importance of early inclusion of children in the system of preschool upbringing and education, to consult with social workers, psychologists, health workers and other experts who work with children from the earliest age”, said the member of the Council for Education in Kragujevac, Dusan Aleksic.

“Listening to the needs of parents and children, we will continue to provide the best possible and adequate conditions for staying in preschool education and upbringing institutions, so that educators and parents, and especially children, feel safe, beautiful, and happy with their friends in kindergartens,” he said.

The parenting fairs are part of the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” Project, which is organized by the Ministry of Education with the support of the World Bank and in cooperation with local governments.

You can see photos from the Parenting Fair here.

From February to March 2023, 3 expert consultations with educational advisors were held on the topic of quality assurance of the methodology of external evaluation of preschool institutions.

From September 1, 2022, all preschool institutions are obliged to implement the new program concept. The Quality Framework adopted in 2018 was revised (it meets the requirements of the new program concept) and has not been applied until now.

The counseling sessions were held in Novi Sad (educational advisors of schools: Novi Sad, Belgrade, Sombor, and Zrenjanin), Nis (educational advisors of schools: Nis, Kragujevac, Leskovac, Krusevac, Zajecar, and Jagodina), and Cacak (educational advisors: educational advisors of schools: Cacak, Valjevo, Pozarevac, Kraljevo, Uzice, Kosovska Mitrovica I Novi Pazar), and 79 educational advisors from all schools attended.

On the first day of counseling, the educational counselors prepared for the visit to the kindergarten through the presentation of forms for observing activities in the kindergarten and a package of additional instruments and auxiliary materials, created within the Project (following the Rulebook on the quality standards of the institution’s work).

They also created an activity plan with the division of responsibilities to provide feedback from the role of a “critical friend” to the kindergarten manager, who will objectively assess the quality of the kindergarten’s work.

Part of the preparation included familiarization with the specifics of the kindergarten they will visit, as well as research reading of 4 manuals/guides created to support practitioners in the quality application of the new program concept: A manual for documentation, Guide for arranging the space in the kindergarten, Guide for developing a theme/project with children, Strategy for the joint development of specific children’s programs following individual children’s programs.

On the second day of counseling, full-day visits were made to selected kindergartens in preschool institutions, in which educational counselors divided into 4 groups (7-8 counselors each) had the opportunity to apply the revised Quality Framework and as “critical friends” gain insight into the quality of kindergarten work in two quality areas: Family educational work for children and support for children. On that occasion, the educational counselors joined 2 groups of children of different ages in pairs, where they followed the implementation of the program of educational work, i.e. the work of the educators in the group, and gave them brief feedback.

After that, they visited the common rooms of the kindergarten (external and internal), analyzed pedagogical documentation (Thematic/project portfolio and Children’s portfolio), conducted interviews with professional associates and managers, educators, and parents, and distributed surveys to them. Before leaving, kindergarten representatives were given feedback on the quality of kindergarten work in two areas.

In the course of 3 consultations, educational advisors visited and observed the work of the following kindergartens from the point of view of a “critical friend”: Novi Sad – preschool “Nasa radost”, kindergartens: Krcko Orascic, Vilenjak, Cvrcak i mrav, Zlatokosa, Nis – preschool “Pcelica”: Cvrcak, Plavi cuperak, Brodic, Petar pan and Cacak – preschool “Radost”: Bambi, Radost, Majski cvet, Bosko Buha. 

On the third day of counseling, educational counselors worked on harmonizing grades at the level of standards and indicators in two areas of work quality, analyzing the results of surveys and interviews, triangulating quality evidence at the area level, and creating a report on the quality of work for each kindergarten.

After the completed report, upon returning to the school administrations, the heads of the school administrations sent reports to all the visited kindergartens, written from the role of “critical friend” who gives a different perspective on the work of the institution, and who can be useful to practitioners in a more objective assessment of the quality of work in their kindergarten.

All counseling participants expressed their satisfaction after the three-day work, during which they had the support of 4 mentors/managers for the implementation of OP (experienced professional associates). In addition, educational advisors from all school administrations, together with directors of preschool institutions and directors of elementary schools – presidents of municipal assets, participated in the two-day consultation “Organization and management of the institution” which covered topics in the field of quality, management, and organization, and the transition of children from kindergarten to elementary school.

The implementation of the new program concept is a complex, demanding, and long-term process that requires further support from practitioners in preschool institutions. After the completion of the Project, the professional and advisory support that can be provided by educational advisors was recognized as very important support.

You can see other photos here.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Education Zoran Kasalovic and Mayor of Novi Pazar Nihat Bisevac attended on 05/27/2023. to the parenting fair at the preschool institution “Mladost” in Novi Pazar and the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of a new garden.

With the laying of the foundation stone in Stevan Nemanja Street in Novi Pazar, the construction of the new children’s combination of the institution “Nase dete” begins, which will provide 270 new places for preschool children, which will be ongoing. More than 210

million dinars will be invested in the construction of the new facility, which will cover 1,900 square meters.

“By constructing a new building, we are investing in the future – we are creating conditions for the admission of new children to the preschool education system because we are paying special attention to increasing the inclusion of children in preschool education,” said Zoran Kasalovic, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education.

“The Ministry of Education advocates for the early and equal inclusion of children, especially those from vulnerable social groups, in the preschool education system. We believe that this is the foundation for the healthy development of future generations through socialization, learning, and play. This is the fifth Parenting Fair organized by the Ministry,” he said.

During the Parenting Fair, 14 workshops for parents and children were held and various educational institutions were presented, as well as local self-government institutions such as – preschool institutions: “Mladost”, “Stevan Mokranjac” Music School, “Dositej Obradovic” National Library, Association of Psychologists Novi Pazar, Sports Association Novi Pazar and Association for School Sports Novi Pazar, Center for Social Work Novi Pazar, as well as the Recycling Center of the public utility company.

Visitors to the Fair, around 400 parents with children, had the opportunity to find out in one place about their parental rights, as well as about the services and support provided by the mentioned institutions.

Parents had the opportunity to improve their parenting skills through various types of workshops, as well as to participate in various creative activities together with their children.

“We invite all parents to visit the Parenting Fair in Novi Pazar and familiarize themselves with the opportunities available to them. We believe that this will be an opportunity for useful discussions and education and that it will contribute to a better and healthier community,” said Nihat Bisevac, mayor of Novi Pazar.

“The parenting fair is an event that is extremely important for all parents, and especially for those who are looking for support in the upbringing and development of their children. At this Fair, parents will be able to get acquainted with the latest trends in the field of parenting, as

well as to be informed about the services available to them within local institutions.

This Fair is an opportunity for parents to meet experts from different fields, exchange experiences with other parents and get advice on how to best support their child in his development. “Also, this is an excellent opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the rights that belong to parents, so that they can exercise their rights and react promptly in case of need,” he said.

The Parenting fair and the construction of a new building in Novi Pazar are part of the “Inclusive preschool education and care” project implemented by the Ministry of Education, with the support of the World Bank, which aims to improve the availability, quality, and conditions of preschool education.

You can see other photos here.

Contracts on the building of two new gardens in Arandjelovac and Alibunar were signed today at the Ministry of Education, as well as a contract on the extension of the existing building in Pecinci. The contracts were signed on behalf of the local governments by the president of the municipality of Arandjelovac Bojan Radovic, the president of the municipality of Alibunar Zorana Bratic, and the president of the municipality of Pecinci Sinisa Djokic.

State Secretary Zoran Kasalovic was present at the signing and showed that investing in education was and remains one of the priorities of the Ministry of Education.

“Through the construction of new gardens and the addition of existing ones, we support parents and children. We believe that supporting the development and education of children from the earliest age is very important and that it is the basis for their further education, but also for a happy childhood and future. That is exactly why we are dedicated to working on it through the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project, said Zoran Kasalovic.

With the construction of a new kindergarten in Arandjelovac, which will cover an area of ​​about 810 square meters, 120 new places will be provided for children who will be divided into 6 groups, while the new kindergarten in Alibunar will provide 220 new places for children who will be divided into 11 groups, and the area of ​​the new facility will be about 1450 square meters. About 87 million dinars have been set aside for the construction of a new facility in Arandjelovac, and a budget of about 156 million dinars has been planned for the new kindergarten in Alibunar.

“The municipality of Arandjelovac thanks the Ministry of Education for the trust that has been shown in us to implement such an important project, which will enable the enrollment of many children from the waiting list in preschool institutions. Through systematic work in the construction of new buildings and the extension of existing ones, we enabled the enrollment of all children in kindergartens.

Despite the significant increase in the number of employees on the territory of our municipality in the enrollment year 2022/2023. again we had a certain number of children on the waiting list. For these reasons, the construction of new Preschool institutions “Duga”, with a capacity of up to 120 children, is a project of essential importance. We are convinced that the excellent cooperation we have with the Government of the Republic of Serbia will continue in the coming period, to the satisfaction of all citizens of the municipality of Arandjelovac,” said Bojan Radovic, president of the municipality of Arandjelovac, on the occasion of the signing.

“The construction of a new kindergarten has multiple significance and influence on the development of the social community in the municipality of Alibunar, where the emphasis is on the carefree and quality education of children in a modern environment that the new facility brings with it.” It is also important to note that conditions will be created for the expansion of existing capacities, and new employment of professional staff in the inclusion of children. We can proudly say that this will be the most significant project that will be implemented in our municipality in the field of education in recent years,” said Alibunar municipality president Zorana Bratic.

The extension of the existing building in Pecinci, which will provide an additional 560 square meters, will expand the capacity for 80 new places. Preschool children will be divided into 4 groups. The investment is worth about 56 million dinars.

For the municipality of Pecinci, this is one of the most significant investments, because it solves one of our pressing problems – the lack of space in the kindergarten. This problem is most pronounced in Pecinci and Obrez. With this investment, for which we signed the contract today, we will solve the problem with the space in Pecinci, and soon we expect the beginning of the reconstruction of the kindergarten in Obrez, which would solve the problem practically in the entire municipality. All of this would not have been possible without the support of the President of the Republic and the Government of the Republic of Serbia, to whom we are grateful for their understanding of the needs of the citizens of the Pecinci Municipality,” said the President of the Pecinci Municipality, Sinisa Djokic.

The Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the World Bank and with the support of local governments, is implementing the project of building new and upgrading existing kindergartens within the project “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care”. This project, in addition to capacity expansion, pays special attention to the improvement of preschool education and care through the introduction of the New Foundations of the Program, as well as the knowledge and skills of professional staff through mentoring support and training for about 12,000 educators. An important aspect of the project is communication and support for families with young children, especially families from vulnerable social groups.

You can see other photos here.