Representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development visited the preschool institution “Ljubica Vrebalov” from Pozarevac on the occasion of marking the 110th anniversary of this preschool institution. The realization of educational work within this institution began back in 1911 with only 13 children, on the initiative of Danica Radosavljevic, then a retired teacher.

PU “Ljubica Vrebalov” today is a modern institution that with its efficient organization, fostering teamwork and openness to learning, cooperation with family, local community and all partners in the environment, participation in relevant projects and initiatives – continuously provides and improves conditions for quality preschool upbringing and education.

The activity of the institution is realized in 91 educational groups (in 11 facilities of the preschool institution) with over 2200 enrolled children.

Through research work in the institution, professional development, and engagement of all employees, it contributes to the affirmation of activities and building the identity of the institution as a learning community for children, educators, parents and other adults.

Since September 2020, the institution has been carrying out activities in the function of applying the new program concept – “Godine uzleta”, with the support of the Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care project. In the period from June to September 2020, parts of training for educators were realized, which empowered about 80% of educators from the institution to implement the new Preschool Curriculum Framework. In the period May/June, mentoring support ends, and from October 2021, the institution is involved in the application of the model of Professional Learning Communities, ie in the process of horizontal exchange and development of reflective-social practice. 

As part of the celebration of the Day of the Institution, a visit to the kindergarten “Majski cvet” in Kostolac was realized, which was chosen as the core of change in the implementation of the new Preschool Curriculum Framework, and then children and employees from the kindergarten “Majski cvet” and “Bambi” presented segments of their work to their peers, colleagues and guests in a pleasant atmosphere. The visit was also attended by representatives of the local self-government with the mayor of the City of Pozarevac, Sasa Pavlovic.

The Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development made a decision that the program of professional training for employees in preschool education called: SNOP: Professional associates as bearers of change get the status of a program of public interest.

The Institute for Pedagogy and Andragogy of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, within 2nd component of the Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care project, and on the subproject PLUS – Development of training, mentoring and horizontal learning system for capacity building in the application of the Preschool Curriculum Framework – ”The Year of Ascent” , developed training for those who create changes in practice inside preschool institutions. The training is based on theoretical starting points harmonized with the modern understanding of the nature of practice change and the concept of the Preschool Curriculum Framework- ”The Year of Ascent” and represents a significant form of professional development of practitioners and support for their professional development as reflective practitioners.

The goal of the training is to empower change practice holders, professional associates and directors to guide change through the development of democratic, inclusive and reflective practice in preschool.

 The specific objectives of the training are:

1. 1. Understanding the nature and process of change.
2. 2. Strengthening competencies for the transformation of the institution’s culture into a learning community through a continuous process of change.
3. 3. Strengthening the capacity to develop the quality of preschool practice, as a democratic, inclusive and reflective practice.

The authors of the training are: Dragana Pavlovic Breneselovic and Zivko Krnjaja – Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade.

The first parts of training, planned for preschool institutions that started the implementation of the new Preschool Curriculum Framework in September 2019 (11) and in September 2020 (22), will be realized in the following terms: June 21 and 22, 2021, 24 and 25 June 2021 and 06 and 07 July 2021.

The number of training participants from each of the 33 preschool institutions was established on the basis of the number of professional associates and on the basis of the number of kindergartens- the core of change in a particular preschool institution.

We expect that the training will further empower principals of preschool institutions and professional associates to further lead the change initiated after the training for the implementation of the Preschool Curriculum Frameworkand mentoring support, and develop them in accordance with the context in which the change occurs.

Today, in the Assembly of the City of Belgrade, a solemn ceremony of signing the Agreement on adaptation and equipping of premises in preschool institutions between the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, the City of Belgrade, Novak Djokovic Foundation, and four Belgrade preschool institutions – PI “Vracar”, PI “Dr Sima Milosevic”, Zemun, PI “Decji dani”, Stari Grad, PI “Perka Vicentijevic”, Obrenovac was held.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, the City of Belgrade and the Novak Djokovic Foundation will jointly provide 22 new adapted and equipped rooms for 500 new children of all ages in kindergartens in four Belgrade municipalities by the beginning of the new school year. Children will thus have the opportunity to start the new school year in newly equipped premises with new furniture, toys, and didactics, and to develop intellectually and prepare for future schooling through creative work.

Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Branko Ruzic said that the Ministry, through the Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care project, strives to increase the number of places in preschool institutions and the quality of the preschool system, having in mind children from vulnerable social groups. Mayor of Belgrade, Zoran Radojicic added that between  seven and eight million euros will be set aside for arranging, adapting and equipping kindergarten premises in Belgrade, while Maja Kremic, national director of the “Novak Djokovic Foundation” expressed satisfaction that the Foundation was given the opportunity to and resolute partners “works together to achieve the mission of the Foundation – that by 2030 every child in Serbia has access to preschool education and quality education.

See photos here.

Thanks to the funds of the Grant Program within the project of Inclusive Preschool Education and Care, which is implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, with the support of the World Bank, the City of Sremska Mitrovica has been implementing the project “Child Inclusion and Early Development” since 2019. On that occasion, Milan Pasic, Assistant Minister for Preschool and Primary Education, visited Sremska Mitrovica and handed over the car keys to the preschool institution “Cuperak” in Laćarak, which will be used for field visits and family visits by the mobile interdepartmental team.

 “We donated a car, which is mobile and will be able to transport children and parents for the implementation of activities and workshops that are realized within the project. We believe that this is one step in improving the system of preschool education. In this way, more children and parents will be included and educated, “said Assistant Minister of Education Milan Pasic. He expressed satisfaction that Sremska Mitrovica is participating in all three components of the Project through the construction of the facility, the implementation of the Grant Program and the implementation of the new program bases in preschool institutions.

The mayor of Sremska Mitrovica, Svetlana Milovanović, pointed out that this project includes children from preschool institutions in Laćarak and Mačvanska Mitrovica, because we have the largest Roma population and children who need help in this form.

“This car will help us a lot in the implementation of our project, so that we will be available to everyone who needs help. We will be able to reach all remote places in our municipality. That is our goal, to be available and provide help to those who need it, “said the mayor of Sremska Mitrovica.

Inclusive programs aimed at caring for and stimulating children in early childhood are the basis of progress, and are especially important for children who come from insufficiently supportive family environments.

You can watch the video here.

Preschool institution “Bosko Buha”, kindergarten “Mali Princ” within the Project of inclusive preschool education organized a trip to the lake “Mika Alas”.

Children from the regular groups of the “Mali Princ” kindergarten and children enrolled in the “Rastiliste” program had the opportunity to socialize, fish, learn experientially through activities about sport fishing, ecology, responsible behavior in the environment.

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These activities are realized as a result of networking, cooperation and support of city municipality of Palilula. The local community of Palilula takes care of the youngest ones in this way and makes all children have the same opportunities for learning and development.

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