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| Children have access to learning and play facilities that would not otherwise be available |
| Photo: Mr. B. Neeleman |
Normally children from SOS Children's Villages attend the local kindergartens. However, in countries and regions where pre-school facilities do not already exist or are inadequate, SOS Children's Villages build their own.
These kindergartens offer children from both the SOS Children's Village and the local neighbourhood access to early learning and supervised play facilities that would not otherwise be available.
The teaching methods employed, and the games and toys used at SOS Kindergartens, are based on the educational theories of Friedrich Fröbel and Maria Montessori, They take into account the cultural norms of the country as well as provide emphasis on the children’s natural creativity and development at their own pace.
The daily kindergarten program contains two important parts: free play and activity. During free play, the child can choose what, with whom, how long and where he or she wants to play. This enables them to learn how to decide for themselves, according to their own choice and imagination, without a MUST. Through play, they also learn the necessary rules of community life.
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| SOS Kindergartern Programs include both Free Play and Activity time |
| Photo: Mr. J. Fernandez |
The goal of the daily activity time is to familiarize the children with their environment. Through carefully prepared activities, they learn how to handle materials under the guidance of their educators. Intellectual, emotional and social development is encouraged and behaviour and senses are trained.
In addition to regular kindergarten activities, pre-school programs designed to stimulate young children in line with their talents are provided in order to prepare them for primary school. The focus is on social, intellectual and motor skills development through play. Additional coaching programs are also available for children with special needs.
There is great emphasis on careful staff selection to ensure that the children are given the best possible care. All applicants are invited for an interview and have to take an admission test. Final selection is based on the results of both the test and the interview.
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| Kindergartens are a great place for children to learn to play together - building friendships |
| Photo: Ms. C. Mathisse |
Wherever necessary, SOS Children's Villages offers teaching courses for successful applicants, which include theoretical lessons, teaching practice and examinations. Educational advisors are employed as consultants for SOS Kindergartens and run the basic and in-service training for the kindergarten teachers. Continuous training is also provided for kindergarten staff where required.
The availability of suitable classrooms, games and toys ensures that the children are given the appropriate conditions for developing their social, intellectual and creative skills. The kindergarten building also often serves other groups from the SOS Children's Village in the afternoons and can host a variety of different activities.