UNICEF

Establishment of ECEC Play Hubs in Slovak Republic to support Ukrainian refugee children

About the project

The project has been implemented since 1 June 2022 as part of the UNICEF Emergency Response to the outbreak of war in Ukraine. It focuses on mobilising local communities in Slovakia to provide quality and inclusive early childhood education opportunities for young children and their families.

The most significant achievements of the programme in July 2022 – August 2024:

40.602 children participating in the activities
6.240 adults participating in the activities
more than 4.300 workshops conducted
almost 500 Ukrainian refugee children enrolled in schools and kindergartens
484 education professionals and paraprofessionals trained
71 Play and Learn Corners established at schools and kindergartens across Slovakia

UNICEF on collaboration with Škola dokorán – Wide Open School, n.o.

The collaboration with Škola dokorán – Wide Open School has been excellent, achieving results that are contributing to ensuring access to formal and non-formal education (including early learning) and provision of learning materials for Ukrainian and host community children. Furthermore, the partnership integrates sound, technical expertise from experts of Matej Bel University and good practices and experiences from abroad to elevate the quality of inclusive approaches in formal and non-formal learning settings (Play and Learning Hubs, Play and Learn Corners). The engagement of parents and caregivers is also a key success, creating safe spaces for establishing communities of trust, mutual respect, care and support for both Ukrainian and host parents/caregivers.

Source: 2024 Programme Document Amendment

Overview of the Programme:

Component 1: Increased coverage with early learning opportunities for children aged 0-12 with the focus on the most vulnerable Ukrainian refugees and host communities

Play and Learning Hubs in 10 localities equipped with didactical play and learning materials
Needs Assessment for each locality
Workshops for children and caregivers (e.g. learning support, creative, art & sports workshops, reading clubs, mothers’/parents’ clubs, Slovak and English language workshops, psycho-social support, intergenerational learning, workshops in libraries, galleries, museums, sports grounds, theatres etc.)
Parental engagement and parenting support programmes
Supporting enrolment of Ukrainian children in Slovak primary schools and kindergartens

Component 2: Capacity building – development of educational programmes and delivery of trainings

Development of 4 new innovative early learning programmes:
- Learning through play
- Reading programme – “The adventure of reading”
- Toys and books library corner
- Discovery Days
Training modules for innovative early learning programmes developed and accredited for further roll out
Pedagogical leadership established & training of trainers developed and master trainers trained
Trainings provided to primary school, kindergarten and school club teachers, as well as other professionals and paraprofessionals
Learning exchanges and visits

Component 3: Play and Learn Corners in primary schools and kindergartens and Discovery Days Programme

71 Play and Learn Corners established in primary schools and kindergartens with the highest number of children from vulnerable target groups
Almost 300 primary school and kindergarten teachers trained on project-based learning and innovative pedagogies in primary education
More than 1 100 children attending Discovery Days – interactive hands-on child-centred educational programme

Component 4: Monitoring and evaluation of quality of programmes – identification of good practices

Study on quality of learning opportunities across:
- Early learning programmes
- Play and Learning Hubs
- Play & Learn Corners

Component 5: Experience and knowledge sharing

Model inclusive education centre capacitated for sharing best practices (with a focus on Roma inclusion)
Guidebooks on inspirational practices for innovative, inclusive pedagogy developed and promoted
Sharing of best practices at national and international conferences + social networks, networks of professionals and paraprofessionals
Vytvorenie nástrojov a mechanizmov na zdieľanie skúseností prostredníctvom odborných komunít na výmenu praktických skúseností (communities of practice).

Publications

Learning through play in early childhood
Reading programme – “The adventure of reading”

Where to find us

Prešov