Daycare centre for children "Happy 18" is a public organization, it exists since 1977. It is generally considered as a part of early childchood education for 3 - 6-year-old children.

Children are divided into four groups in terms of age (3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old, 6 years old), around 30 pupils each. So daycare centre offers its' services to around 120 children in total.

It is situated in the centre of Szczecin, has its' own playground surrounded by trees and houses. There are 19 employees, 9 of them are highly qualified and experienced teachers, 10 - helpers and management staff. It is opened from 6:30 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. five days a week (Monday - Friday) ten months a year (September - June).

Work is divided into two shifts, morning shift: 7:00 - 12:00 and afternoon shift: 12:00 - 5:00. During every shift there is always one teacher and one helping-worker in each group. Work in each group has its' own specific character - in groups of younger children (3 - 4 years old) it is more caring and playing, in groups of older children (5 - 6 years old) it is more teaching.

Main goals of the organization are:

- to support children' personal and social development by using their individual potential and possibilities,

- to create helpful environment that will increase cooperation and communication with parents,

- to prepare young citizens to live active in United Europe, saving their national identity and presenting world in most creative, multisensual way.

Apart from regular activities, the daycare centre offers many interesting forms of education for children such as rhytmics, corrective and compensatory gimnastics or dance. Twice a week children attend English lessons.

Our building includes 4 big and spatial teaching rooms (they are also playrooms and diningrooms for groups), gym, library, kitchen, management spaces and outdoor playground.

The Daycare centre takes part in many local, regional and national programms supporting new, effective forms and methods of work with children.

Our organization cooperates with local community - orginises meetings concerning local activity for children (in cooperation with local community and parents), supports cultural and sport activities in our region. Our children attend concerts, theatre plays and meetings with interesting people (policeman, doctor, etc.), they also take part (and win!!!) in many local and regional competitions.

EVS project is a first step in planned for the next year "European actions". International cooperation is a great challenge and chance for us and for a volunteer to present our cultures and level of tolerance. Children can learn that natural contact with people from other countries is possible, that world does not end at their hometown and it is worth exploring. The daily company of a volunteer will be for us a motivation to learn foreign language and will support process of European integration in our local community.

LOCAL COMMUNITY - GEOGRAPHICAL ENVIRONMENT

Szczecin is a port city situated in north - west part of Poland (30 km from Polish - German border, 150 km from Berlin, 100 km from the seaside). It's a capital of the West Pomerania Region, broad and open gate in the southern Baltic Sea.

Szczecin - for centuries - has provided a centre from which Europe's transit routes have crossed from west to east and from north through the Balitc to the south of Europe. It is a city of merchants and travellers, enjoiyng an unique geograpfical location from sailors' point of view. Of its entire area, 24,4% is water: arms of the Odra River, Lake Dabie, a network of port cannals and channels, the southern part of Zalew Szczecinski, Lake Glebokie, Lake Szmaragdowe and some smaller water courses meander and connect with ponds situated in enormous green areas of the city in Arkonski Forest.

There are several cultural centres such as cinemas, theatres, museums, The Pomeranian Dukes' Castle. A various attractions - pubs, student clubs and galleries are a quarantee that everyone can find something interesting here. It is also quite a big students' city - many colleges such as the University of Szczecin, Technical University, Agricultural Academy or Medical Academy and several private colleges are located here.

Although Szczecin is a great tourist attraction, many tourists visit the city (and West Pomerania Region) and many different cultures meet here, it still has its' own atmosphere and you can realy taste the "Polish way of living" living here.  

A volunteer will actively participate in all actions in the daycare centre, the support from the teachers will always be provided. He/she will work in one of four groups (chosen by himself/herself) and help our teachers and workers in present educational and organizational work five or six hours a day by:

- playing with children in groups or individually,

- organising educational actions (such as singing and dancing, writing, painting, drawing, making things, etc.),

- preparing teaching materials and decorations,

- organising childrens' free time,- organising and preparing small events and meetings with parents.

A volunteer will also help in preparing and dividing meals, feeding younger children, dressing up and changing younger children.

A volunteer will be occasionally asked to take care of a child with special needs.

A volunteer will have a chance to plan his/her coming working week according to his/her own ideas, needs and interests - always consulted with a project mentor or coordinator and concerned on work with children. There will always be a teacher who will lead a volunteer, ready to help and advise. Teachers of different groups have basic knowledge of English, German or Russian language. In terms of communication problems - there will be an English teacher twice a week, additional support - if needed - will be given by a person from coordinating organization.

A volunteer will have a great opportunity to develop her/his social skills by working in our opened - minded community. He/She will have a possibility to overcome his/her fears and stereotypes. He/she will be also a new impuls for children and our local community, his/her stay and work with us will be a great chance of getting to know other nation and other culture. He/She will also have an opportunity to integrate with other international volunteers staying in Szczecin on EVS projects.

The Daycare centre has no experience in hosting projects.

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=58000338410