Social inclusion, jobs, education and training in Sárkeresztúr, Hungary have been boosted with the expansion and development of the town's branch of the Aranyalma kindergarten. The project has increased the capacity of the kindergarten so as to give all local children of kindergarten age the chance to attend, improved the quality of the infrastructure and enhanced the institution's overall environment.
- 01 February 2016
The existing 377 m2 building was refurbished and extended by construction of a new 853 m2 section housing four classrooms and essential service facilities. As a result, the building can be easily transformed into a multifunctional community space enabling it to host celebrations and other events, as well as educational and cultural programmes for families.
The project has led to the creation of two new jobs which are key to achieving the aim of ensuring provision of integrated education for children of all abilities along with catch-up training for those who need it. The teachers help the children with their everyday development and the new colleagues assist them with speech therapy and speech correction.
Energy efficiency measures to cut expenditure
Energy efficiency measures have been taken, including modernisation of heating and lighting and installation of external insulation, and the children have been introduced to selective waste and battery collection. This should reduce pollution, develop an environmentally conscious attitude among children and their parents and cut the institution's energy expenditure.
Future plans include organisation of a programme for families on healthy living. In line with the objectives of the national health programme, the centre aims to present and disseminate information on harmful effects of smoking, drug and other addictions and correlation between healthy eating and regular exercise.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Extension of the Aranyalma kindergarten in Sárkeresztúr” is EUR 365 000, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 328 000 from the Operational Programme “Central Transdanubia” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.