As part of the "Step forward" EU project, the Kindergarten "Mali istraživač" started with education to strengthen the capacity of educators and professional associates to work with children.

The first education entitled "Awareness of the naturalist in yourself" refers to the acquisition of knowledge and skills of educators and pedagogues in the field of proper influence and care for nature and the environment. The education consists of a total of 10 topics/units, of which 2 topics have been covered so far during February and March, and 12 educators and a pedagogue participated in them. The acquired knowledge and skills will serve as the basis for the development and creation of the new "Little Naturalists" program, the goal of which will be to develop a proper relationship with nature, from an early age in children, and coexistence with nature.

The second professional interactive education entitled "Implementation of the curriculum and raising the quality of life of children in an institutional context" was attended by 22 educators and 5 professional associates. The education contains a total of 6 modules, and so far, during the past 2 months, educators and professional associates have listened to the 1st module entitled "Research of kindergarten practice from the practitioner's perspective - change strategy" through 2 meetings. The expected outcomes of the education are: a more successful understanding of complex situations arising from practice, the development of educators' readiness to accept the role of researchers and to create new knowledge created in practice, a joint approach to solving problems arising from practice, a higher level of competence in the interpretation of professional experience, a better perception of gaps between of what is said and what is applied in practice.

The total value of the "Step forward" project is HRK 2,935,003.01, and the project is funded by the European Union from the European Social Fund.

The purpose of the project is to contribute to the harmonization of the business and family life of families with dependent members by providing the service of extended working hours of kindergartens from the existing 10 to 12 hours of educational work, avoiding duty groups, and through continuous educational work, in the period from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm.

The main expected results that will be achieved by the project are:

• introduced the service of educational work in extended working hours for 217 children
• strengthened capacities of all professionals and educators to work with children
• improved material conditions of accommodation and residence of children
• developed and produced 5 new special programs that will further enrich them
• educational work

Additional information about the project is available through the following contacts:

Kindergarten "Mali istraživač"

Ljiljana Vukšić, director, project manager

Mobile: 099 444 888 1

E-mail: ravnatelj@mali-istrazivac.hr