Within the project „Support to the Development of the Preschool Online Learning Community”, implemented by the CIP-Center for Interactive Pedagogy with the support of UNICEF and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, experts in preschool education created a series of seven video trainings.

Within the first two types of training, participants have already had the opportunity to further educate and adopt practical and theoretical knowledge in the field of social and emotional learning of preschool children and support for social and emotional learning in educational work with preschool children. Through video and audio presentations of good practices, short theoretical lectures and practical assignments, employees were able to get answers to many questions and find new creative ideas for professional development within the institution.

The third training in a row, which deals with digital tools in the function of professional development, is currently underway. Digital competencies of educators and pedagogical application of digital tools, safety of children on the Internet, are just some of the topics covered by this educational content. In addition to the video training Digital Tools in the Function of Professional Development, participants are also provided with professional materials that they can download at any time, as well as the manual Children in the digital age.

After the implementation of this training, the realization of four more is planned:

► Supporting the well-being and resilience of preschool children

► Educating preschool children by providing support and establishing rules

► Support for families with preschool children from vulnerable groups

► Creating stimulating opportunities for the development and learning of children up to the age of three

All materials are available on the VIDEO TRAINING page, the website of the Inclusive Preschool Education Project.

After the implementation of training for project proposals within the second cycle of the Grant Program, which was attended by representatives from 22 municipalities, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia announced a competition at the end of 2019 and invite for project proposals to 27 municipality’s rankings. In the second cycle, municipalities that expressed interest in participating in the first round but did not receive a grant for various reasons were also invited, as well as new ones that were lower ranked on the list.

17 municipalities submitted their project proposals, and in the period from December 3^rd to January 20^th 2020, the Grants Approval Committee reviewed, evaluated, approved and returned for review all the submission of proposals according to the adopted procedure. After the final evaluation, it was proposed to finance the projects of 14 local governments. An official decision was soon made to award grants to finance projects to the following municipalities: Bela Palanka, Vladimirci, Vranje / Vranjska Banja, Velika Plana, Zitoradja, Krupanj, Knjazevac, Odzaci, Prijepolje, Ruma, Smederevska Palanka, Sombor, Titel, Cacak.

So far, a total of 34 local governments have funded projects under the grant program.

Funding for these projects has provided significant benefits for all children and their families, the local community, and the state administration in charge of preschool education.

All information of public importance related to the implementation of the grant program can be viewed here.

The implementation of Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care project of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development is underway, which aims to improve the availability, quality and conditions of preschool education for all children.

Through the project, support will be given to preschool children and their families, and especially children from socially and economically vulnerable social groups. Preschools, local communities, health services, centers for social work and others will also benefit from the project.

The construction of kindergartens, financing of projects of local communities, professional development of educators, improvement of an educational practice with parents are some of the most important elements of the project. There are also project activities within the grant program: adaptation of premises, procurement of minibuses, programs for inclusion of Roma children and many other activities that are carried out in order to increase the coverage and inclusiveness of preschool education.

The municipalities of Cukarica and Palilula are one of the many that are included in Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) project. They have been awarded grants for the implementation of local projects. In accordance with the projects, preschool institutions in these Belgrade municipalities carry out activities aimed at supporting parental competencies, including children in the system of preschool education through various programs and building peer relationships through play and interactions of children and parents.

Preschool Čukarica ​​started the project “Dad, Mom, play with us” in November 2019. Short quality programs have been created at two locations, for children aged one to 5.5, who have not been included in the system of preschool education so far.

In the kindergarten St. Sava, the educator, in cooperation with children and parents, developed a short program “We knit stories“. Empowering parents to spend quality time with their children and encouraging children independence and self-confidence, were the main ideas of this initiative. The workshops, which explored the areas of handicrafts, movement, and creative expression, were also attended by uncles, aunts, grandmothers, brothers and sisters. The 12 children were enrolled in the program, and 12 parents stayed.

In the kindergarten Gorica ​​in Sremčica, good practice has been established in the development of short quality programs for all children who are not in the system of preschool education, with special reference to Roma children. One of such activities is the “Igroteka” program, in which 18 children were enrolled and 15 workshops were realized. At the beginning of this program, all children and parents from the kindergarten were involved in the humanitarian action “Make another friend happy“- by collecting toys and clothes, they supported the inclusion of children from the vulnerable population in the kindergarten.

Workshops were also organized within the “Baby Program“, which is intended for infants aged 6-12 months.

On the other hand, preschool Palilula, as part of the promotion of the project “Growing up together”, worked on involving all parents in the activities of the local community and all children in preschool education programs. At the Education and Teaching Tools Fair, they presented a set of activities planned by the project program. Visits to settlements inhabited by a large number of families who are not involved in the daily actions of the local community were organized, and on that occasion, 37 children were enrolled. Similar activities continued after the state of emergency was lifted. Representatives of the preschool institution used this situation to revisit the settlements and educate and inform families on the topic of Covid-19 virus.

In addition take a look at gallery. 

After the abolition of the state of emergency in the country, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia continues with the implementation of activities that were planned before the introduction of emergency measures.

Within the project, press conference was planned as well as realization of the media campaign Support. We remind you that the first part of this campaign was realized during April, and the main communication channels were social networks and online portals. In addition, the TV spot Support was broadcast on national frequencies. The goal of this campaign is to raise public awareness of the importance of the role of parents and guardians in a child’s development.

This time, during July, billboards and buses throughout Serbia will carry the main messages of our project. In health centers, parents will have guides at their disposal, that deal with the topics of stimulating parenting, providing them with practical advice, and all citizens will be able to read more about this topic in the daily press.

Also, in the same period, a press conference will be held where representatives of the Ministry and Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Project will talk about the most significant results of the project that were achieved in the previous period and future activities. The connection between the current and future Education Strategy and the project will also be discussed.

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