Principles Types Advantages Difficulties and Solutions Conference: „Support of Families in accordance with the Statement of Policy of the Czech Government“ – November 30, 2010 – Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic, PhDr. Tereza Vošahlíková - – FOREST KIDERGARTENS

PRINCIPLES forest kindergartens develop children's skills according to the curriculum valid for preschool education year-long outdoor stay in any weather conditions primary educational environment generally in a forest facilities in the form of a casual shelter, various types of facilities (tipi, cabin...) optimal number of children 15, accompanied by at least 2 adults (educator + assistant) mutual confidence among educators, children, and parents is fundamental education programme based on situations, spontaneous games, and direct child experience Conference: „Support of Families in accordance with the Statement of Policy of the Czech Government“ – November 30, 2010 – Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic, PhDr. Tereza Vošahlíková - –

a)independent forest kindergartens b)joint forest kindergartens c)ordinary kindergarten programmes implement various forms of forest kindergarten elements (e.g. project weeks in forests, regular “forest days” etc.) TYPES Conference: „Support of Families in accordance with the Statement of Policy of the Czech Government“ – November 30, 2010 – Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic, PhDr. Tereza Vošahlíková - –

INDEPENDENT FOREST KINDERGARTEN Šárynka (Ekodomov, o.s.) Start of the operation: September 2009 Facilities: yurt and chuck-wagon Group: 14 children + 2 educators Operation: 3-day and 2-day groups 9 am – 14 pm (lunch and rest) opportunity for afternoon activities 3times per week Conference: „Support of Families in accordance with the Statement of Policy of the Czech Government“ – November 30, 2010 – Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic, PhDr. Tereza Vošahlíková - –

Lesníček (MŠ Semínko, o.s.) Start of the operation: September 2010 Facilities: Kindergarten Semínko, caravan Group: 15 children + 2 educators Operation: 2 days per week 8 am – 12 pm (with or without lunch) PILOT PROJECT OF MEYS JOINT FOREST KINDERGARTEN Conference: „Support of Families in accordance with the Statement of Policy of the Czech Government“ – November 30, 2010 – Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic, PhDr. Tereza Vošahlíková - –

ADVANTAGES Flexible and low-cost starting or termination of the operation of a forest kindergarten Initial investment: casual facilities, standard equipment, promoting - up to CZK Community character Forest kindergartens join children, parents, and municipalities through a regular outdoor programme and numerous public events Children’s skills development Health (immunity, exercise), independence, confidence, cooperation, knowledge of the location Conference: „Support of Families in accordance with the Statement of Policy of the Czech Government“ – November 30, 2010 – Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic, PhDr. Tereza Vošahlíková - –

DIFFICULTIES AND SOLUTIONS Legislation The Degree on Preschool Education and other legal regulations based on the notion kindergarten = building but but forest kindergarten = outdoor class SOLUTIONS: Amendment to the legislation adding a forest kindergarten as a type of an educational institution type - Ministry of the Environment working group - grounds: Forest Kindergarten Association, Pilot Project of MEYS, foreign experiences Conference: „Support of Families in accordance with the Statement of Policy of the Czech Government“ – November 30, 2010 – Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic, PhDr. Tereza Vošahlíková - –

DIFFICULTIES AND SOLUTIONS Funding Existing initiatives are private – parents bear expenses Unequal access for socially and economically disadvantaged families The highest costs comprise educators’ earnings SOLUTIONS: Co-financing of the costs: Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports + municipality