To ensure that every child can attend kindergarten, the Polish city of Żory built a brand new, architecturally stunning school with the support of EU funding.
New school means more children can attend kindergarten in Żory, Poland
- 04 October 2019
I am proud that we have created a building that is tailored to the needs of children and creates the perfect conditions for their development. The kindergarten looks beautiful and contains modern, environmentally friendly solutions.
To better provide for its youngest citizens, Żory has built a new, state-of-the-art kindergarten. The EU-funded project has the capacity to serve up to five preschool classes, or about 125 children. The one-storey building features several unique design aspects, including rounded walls and a rooftop garden for outdoor classes. The building is equipped with adapted entryways and toilet facilities, to accommodate disabled children.
The school uses the Montessori method, an approach to early childhood education based on the scientific observations of children. The project purchased the didactic materials required by this approach and ensured teachers were trained in using the Montessori method.
Revitalising a neighbourhood
After a local kindergarten closed due to technical issues and a large kindergarten-age population, Żory lacked educational space. Many children were not being admitted and had to be placed on a reserve list. Forecasts predicted continued population growth, which meant the problem was only going to get worse.
The new school is located in Kleszczówka, an up-and-coming neighbourhood popular with young families. The architecturally striking building serves as the centrepiece of the neighbourhood’s revitalisation. Having the school near the families that use it makes it easier for working mothers to achieve a work-life balance, thus making the neighbourhood even more attractive to young families.
Award-winning design
The project is the recipient of numerous awards. In 2017, it was named Best Education Building by the Association of Polish Architects. In 2018, it was recognised as the Best Eco-Friendly Public Sector Building at the PLGBC Green Building Awards. It received the distinction of being named one of the best investments in Poland during the 2018 TOP Municipal Investments competition. The school has been featured in several Polish television programmes. One named it the most beautiful kindergarten in Poland.
Video
http://telewizjatvt.pl/zorski-newsroom-24-10-2017/Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Increasing the accessibility of pre-school education centres by building a kindergarten in the Kleszczówka district in Żory” is EUR 1 213 855, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 565 709 through the “Śląskie Voivodeship” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period.