A children’s room was opened at the Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution, with 90 square metres of colourful space for educational, creativity-developing, and beneficial skills-building activities for the children of community members and to gain practical experience of Pre-School and Pre-Primary Education study programme students.

Turning an idea into a result

When Vice Director of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution dr. Mindaugas Misiūnas initiated the idea of establishing a children’s room, and a team of administration and Department of Education of the Faculty of Arts and Education took care of its realisation, it was very important that the children’s room not only would comply with the amendments to the Law on Fundamentals of Protection of The Rights of the Child adopted by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, according to which from 2023 of January, state institutions employing 100 or more employees must equip children’s rooms for short-term (usually up to 3 hours) care, but also would be fully safe, functional, meet the current educational trends and the needs of children and families.

“The opening of the children’s room is an important event even for the Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution’s community because from now on their little ones will have the opportunity to spend quality time with their parents, while they are at work. Thank you to the management of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution, the Head of Department of Education Asta Jakimavičienė, and the entire team of the department. I would also like to thank social partners for their support and help,” says Jolanta Bareikienė, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education.

A celebration for the little ones

The official opening of the children’s room at Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution, which took place on 16 March, was a beautiful celebration. Many community members gathered with their curious little ones, who actively participated in the activities of the opening celebration programme, led by energetic lecturer Audronė Vizbarienė, Rasa Čižauskaitė, who never lacks a good mood, and students of the Department of Education.

Children played fun familiarisation games, sang songs, and danced. At the opening celebration, children were visited by unexpected guests: a jellyfish that came from the depths of the ocean, which invited the little ones to dance a mood dance together. Also two best friends – a donkey and a cow came to the party and sang a funny song about a cow that doesn’t know how to ride a bicycle. After the energetic start of the celebration, the children were invited to rest a little and engage in other activities, such as drawing with coloured sand, doing robotics, and testing the interactive floor. They explored all the toys that have taken up residence in the room and the educational tools that encourage children’s creativity, experiences, and discoveries. These activities evoked good emotions, aroused curiosity, and were interesting for the kids.

A message of gratitude

“Thank you very much to the entire Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution team for their help, advice, and practical ideas. Thank you to the social partners – Renata Drulienė, Head of the nursery-kindergarten “Girinukas”. Thank you to everyone who participated in the opening ceremony of the children’s room and suggested playful names for it, a fun stage awaits – to choose the best name,” says Asta Jakimavičienė, Head of Department of Education.

The children’s room will be open from Monday to Friday. On weekdays until 12:30 p.m., students of the Pre-School and Pre-Primary Education study programme will study and implement practical activities there, and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the spaces of the children’s room will be dedicated to the children of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution employees. During the school holidays, the children’s room will be open for the little ones all day.