ČAČAK – UNDER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INCLUSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE (ECEC) PROJECT

In Čačak, another grant winner, the implementation of the Inclusive Preschool Education Project is currently underway.

“We are proud that our local municipality is part of a large and important project for Serbia and is one of the 34 local municipalities in Serbia that received funds for the realization of the project at the local level, amounting to 4,837,444 dinars. It is especially important that the state, the Ministry, the City of Čačak, children, parents, educators, social care institutions, non-governmental organizations, health services and media participate in achieving the project goal”- says Ivana Vukajlović, project team member and project coordinator on behalf of PU “Radost”. According to her, in this way, the implementers of the project want to point out the importance of inclusive preschool education and to reach every family.

The program includes the formation of a mixed group of children from three and a half to five and a half years of age from socially sensitive categories, who will attend kindergarten completely free of charge. It is realized in the kindergarten “Bambi”, in the afternoon, in the period from 15:30 to 19:30. This kindergarten is one of the eight that are in the network of PU “Radost”, in which, in the same period, the preparatory preschool program is realized, in two groups.

“That was the reason for us to decide for the kindergarten” Bambi “, because that is exactly the inclusion in the right sense of the word, for children from socially sensitive categories to be included in preschool education with other children,” said Vukajlović. “For these purposes, the room in the kindergarten was adapted, painted, additionally lit, equipped with new furniture, didactic materials, joinery was replaced…” Vukalović highlights that entire PU “Radost” team took part in this activity, including teachers and support staff, Kindergarten management, professional service…

At the beginning, a project team was formed, appointed by decision of the mayor of Čačak, Milun Todorović, and the team included representatives of all relevant institutions and project partners.

“I must point out that this team consists of nine great professionals in their respective fields, and together we have managed to overcome not an easy task,” said Vukajlović, adding: “We have mapped families and SWC have provided us with significant assistance as have the presidents of the local communities. We have formed a mobile team, which visits families, and consists of a project coordinator, representatives of PU “Radost”, SWC, Health Center, and if necessary, other members of the project team. After the formation of the group and the departure of the children to the kindergarten, they are subjected to regular educational work, like all other children “, says Vukajlović.

The partners in the realization of this project are the City of Čačak, PU “Radost”, CSR, PU “Moje detinjstvo”, Dom zdravlja, Association MNRO, as well as ŠOSO “1. Novembar”.

Source: Čačanski glas