M.Sc. Zuzana Veverková
Innovator
Forest Kindergarten Radovánky
Czech Republic
Environmental
Rural Areas
Remote rural areas
The innovation journey
The Forest Kindergarten Radovánky was established in 2013 as part of the ESF project “Creating Tools for Improving Family Policy among employers in the Liberec and South Moravian Regions”. Later, it was financed by parents’ and sponsors´ contributions. The kindergarten had 4 employees.
Children naturally learn to recognize values by staying and moving outside every day, learning that freedom does not mean “doing what I want”, but also taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions. By moving in nature, children develop versatility and an interest in nature, they are provided with enough space for their energy and playfulness, and this greatly supports healthy physical and psychological development.
After ten successful years, the operation of the forest kindergarten terminated. Its activity was interrupted due to the anti-COVID measures and has not been resumed since the original children have grown up and their parents stopped engaging in this activity. Among other things, it turned out that the parents of rural children are not very interested in their stay in nature.
The innovation impact
Preschool education is important not only for educational reasons, but it is also crucial for the socialization of children. Alternative forms are suitable for parents who are not satisfied with the standard method or who are looking for other options for their children. It enriches the offer and, last but not least, teaches children a relationship with nature and basic environmental and ecological principles. Activities of this type cannot function without financial or non-financial support from municipalities and regions.
The sustainability of such facilities is always a big task and requires a constant supply of ideas, funds and interest from parents and politicians. If this interest vanishes, perhaps due to a smaller number of children, the project may be terminated, which is certainly a pity. However, within LAG, the Education in Motion initiative, aimed at improving regional education, continues. Some 40 kindergartens in the region are involved.