Parents enrich children’s lives at Veerise kindergarten

Parents at Veerise kindergarten have founded a nonprofit organisation to enrich children’s play and support physical activity and healthy lifestyles, ERR reported.

Gerly Kedelauk, the organisation’s founder and an active parent, said on the Raadio 2 programme R2 Päev that parents had approached the kindergarten’s management before the last academic year and proposed working together to improve children’s lives.

In the autumn, parents collected donations and equipped a cooking room, where children learned to prepare food under adult supervision. They also bought enough ski equipment for about half a group, as well as equipment for a teacher so they could take part in sports.

In the spring, the parents organised a charity concert and dinner. While adults attended the event, the children had a disco in a neighbouring building. The money raised was used to improve the kindergarten’s outdoor area through volunteer work.

Veerise kindergarten development manager Ülle Jurtom said the year had been exceptionally active. She said the project had not only improved the play area but also encouraged parents to communicate and strengthened cooperation within the community.

Jurtom said it was unusual for parents to work with a kindergarten so actively.

Kedelauk said the kindergarten also had a children’s council, which gave its views on what should be changed or improved. The children requested skis and football goals.

“Children’s opinions are important. After all, who are we making these things for?” Kedelauk said.