The Najdihojca Ljubljana Kindergarten received the national recognition Apple of Quality 2017 for its success story in the Erasmus+ programme in the field of school education.

In the justification of the award the Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Mobility and European Educational and Training Programmes (CMEPIUS) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia, presenting the award, wrote among other things:

»With the project Kindergarten for the 21st Century the Najdihojca Ljubljana Kindergarten took us through a one-year project with a topical theme. A professional worker who participated in the mobility programme learned how to use participatory methods in conflict resolution and for other social issues in kindergartens. And above all, she found an appropriate way of motivating other practitioners in the kindergarten to use the method which is one of the more demanding tasks in the final phase of the project.

Indirectly children were also involved, as the method is intended for them, and parents, to whom the method was presented on various occasions. After the use of the mentioned method positive reactions to solving conflict situations have been observed in children, that is why this method continues to be built upon, it is also used on children with special needs, and the kindergarten is sharing its knowledge with organisations beyond Slovenia’s borders through the Strategic Partnerships Project.

In the Najdihojca Kindergarten the working atmosphere has improved with the newly acquired knowledge, it is promoting the understanding of social, linguistic and cultural diversity, and all this is improving the opportunities for professional development, motivation and satisfaction in everyday work of teachers, which affects the wellbeing of children, as well.«

The Najdihojca Kindergarten with its project Kindergarten for the 21st Century is inspiring and expanding horizons, it is stepping out of the box, improving the quality of work of individuals and highlighting the significance of cooperation and common values.

Sincere congratulations to the kindergarten staff on the remarkable achievement.