During April, the third media campaign LITTLE STORIES FOR BIG PEOPLE was implemented, as a part of the Project Inclusive preschool education.

Through this series of educational stories we learn how valuable moments spent with children at their earliest age are and how important communication and emotional exchange between parents and children is. Parents who respond with acceptance and praise to certain behaviours give the child an emotional incentive to develop in that direction.

Also, through these stories we learn that by creating a daily routine, proper nutrition, exercise, staying in the open space and playing together, children are taught healthy life habits, learn to take care of themselves and others, be responsible and ready for life. Parents worry about their safety but do not inhibit their freedom and independence.

This series provides support to parents by reminding them of the rights guaranteed by law and that can be achieved in the health and social care system. 

The stories also aim to highlight the importance of preschool education and care on the development of children, as well as to contribute to the development of an inclusive society.

As a part of the Project of inclusive preschool education which is realized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development in partnership with the Novak Djokovic Foundation, two more working rooms in kindergarten on the territory of Pancevo are equipped from the World Bank loan.

The city of Pancevo has seen a large influx of populations in the past few years, with several new factories opening, which is dragging on immigration for families with young children.

Preschool facility “Decija radost” performs its work in 20 kindergartens attended by over 2,900 children from 1 to 6 years old. Due to lack of capacity, there are 379 children on the waiting list.

The preschool administration is seeking to include as many children whose families are recipients of welfare benefits and 26,000 are currently enrolled in kindergarten children who attend preschool for free.

The new, equipped space will be able to accommodate 40 children in two groups. Kindergarten “Ljiljan” is included in regular educational groups of children with hearing impairment.

The property has two working rooms (for two mixed groups), toilets and supporting rooms and is equipped according to the needs of children, educators and in accordance with the new basics of preschool education programs.

In addition to furniture that has been selected and adapted to the age group, the room is equipped with new toys, carpets, lacy escapes, ribbon curtains, painting easels, books and necessary disposable materials.

In the new groups on the territory of Pancevo city, 40 new children aged 3 – 5.5 years are enrolled and the premises are equipped according to the needs of our youngest inhabitants.

Other photos can be found here.

On Wednesday, the 6^th of April 2022. the Reading Corner for children on pediatrics opened in the premises of the clinic in Klisa. The reading corner is equipped within the project “Together in Inclusion – for the Benefit of Children of Novi Sad” implemented by the City Administration for Social and Child Protection in partnership with preschool “Radosno detinjstvo”, Center for The Production of Knowledge and Skills, Center for Social Work of the City of Novi Sad, Health Center “Novi Sad” and ” primary and secondary education school “Milan Petrovic” with the students dormitory.

The project is funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, which is from 2018, taken over by the the Inclusive Preschool Education and Education Project has been implemented, with the help of a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). From the funds of this project, the City of Novi Sad received grant (grants) in the amount of RSD 4,300,000.00, to finance the local project “Together in Inclusion – For the Benefit of Children of Novi Sad”,

Dr. Ljerka Popov, Assistant of Director for Health Activities of the Health Center of Novi Sad welcomed the attendees and and the corner itself opened with short exposures by Anamarija Vicek, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Dr. Lidija Tomas, Head of the City Administration for Social and Children’s Protection of the City of Novi Sad, and Dr. Vesna Vuleković, Head of Health Care.

In The Reading Corner there were books for children from the earliest age – from baby books to picture books for preschoolers. Behind the opening of “Reading Corner” is an effort to raise awareness that the health care system has a role not only in health care and monitoring the progress of children, but also in monitoring the overall development and raising the quality of incentives a child has in their nearest environment.

With this project, the City Administration for Social and Child Protection works with partners to improve the availability of preschool services for children from sensitive social groups; contributes to achieving equal opportunities for learning and developing children from sensitive social groups, provides support to families for the development of parental competences, and strengthens the capacities of institutions and organizations in the City of Novi Sad to provide services to children and families from sensitive social groups.

Other photos can be found here.

The third parenting fair was held at the ‚‚Sunce” kindergarten in Vranje on Saturday, the 26^th of March. This project activity is jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and the city of Vranje within the project of inclusive preschool education, with financial support from the World Bank.

At the opening of the Parenting Fair in Vranje, Assistant Minister for International Co-operation and European Integration, Aleksandar Jovic thanked the city administration and local partners for their exceptional engagement and pointed out the importance of early inclusion of children in the preschool programme, especially children from sensitive groups.

‚‚The early inclusion of children in the preschool program from all, especially sensitive groups, increases their chances of joining the education system and society in general tomorrow, under equally quality conditions learning, playing, socializing and gaining experiences that will contribute to their development, achievements and happiness”, Jovic said, adding that this is also the goal of all components of the Project.

This fair had the highest attendance ever – the fair was visited by more than 400 parents and children who participated together in educational, creative, research, sports workshops and other activities. Families with small children, especially families from sensitive social groups, as well as families whose children are not included in the system of preschool education and education had the opportunity to receive all information about their rights directly in one place, as well as on services provided by local institutions – city of Vranje, Preschool “Nase dete”, Home of Health Vranje, Center for Development of Local Social Welfare Services Vranje, Music School “Stevan Mokranjac”, School for Primary and Secondary Education ,”Vule Antic” and Center for Social Work Vranje.

That kindergartens are a good environment for children was agreed by the deputy mayor of the city of Vranje, Zorica Jovic, who said on this occasion: ‚‚All this shows that all of us share the same belief. Kindergartens are a good environment for children, a good basis for their social and intellectual development. All children deserve equal conditions for their upbringing. So, let’s all come together, do everything we can to provide them with the future they deserve.”

She also emphasised the importance of socialisation for their further development: ‚‚Children through play and companionship, get first impressions of the beauty of growing up together, playing and laughing in the company of their peers”, as deputy mayor Zorica said.

See the gallery with the remaining photos here.

As a part of The project of inclusive preschool education, which is realized by the Ministry of education, science, and technological development in cooperation with foundation Novak Djokovic from the loan of World Bank, it has been adapted and equipped 3 working rooms on the territory of municipality of Zemun. Preschool ‚‚Dr Sima Milosevic” implements educational program in 32 facilities, as well as in 6 spaces in primary schools where the half – day preparatory preschool program is implemented. Currently, 4 711 children are attending the facility, while there are 870 children on the list for whom the Application for Admission has been submitted. The preschool is making great efforts to encompass as many children as possible from sensitive social groups. According to the documentation so far, 5 families receive monetary welfare, and in addition to that number of children, another 924 children are exempt from payment on some grounds – children with developmental disabilities, children without parental care, the third and every subsequent child in the family, as well as children attending a half – day preparatory preschool programme. The new, equipped space will be able to accommodate 75 children. The property has 3 working rooms (three mixed groups), toilets, spacious corridors and supporting rooms, a new playground and is equipped according to the needs of children, educators and in accordance with the new basics of education. In addition to furniture that has been selected and adapted to the age group, the rooms are equipped with new toys, carpets, roll curtains, lacy escapes, painting easels, books and necessary disposable materials. In the new groups on the territory of Zemun municipality, 75 new children aged 3 – 5,5 years are enrolled and the premises are equipped according to the needs of our youngest inhabitants.

See the gallery with the remaining photos here.