The profile of the kindergarten

English-Polish Kindergarten OLIVER was founded in 2000 in Ząbki near Warsaw by Dorota and David Smithson - an English-Polish couple - and from the very beginning it has been promoting early learning of the English language among children.

Apart from teaching the language, we are also very careful to prepare children for school education in the best possible way. In our everyday work we use, among other things, author's programmes by Professor Bronisław Rocławski "Glottodydaktyka" (Glottodidactics) and by Professor Ewa Gruszczyk-Kolczynska "Dziecieca matematyka" (Children's maths), which introduce children to the world of sounds, letters and numbers; we also use elements of developing physical activity by Veronica Sherborne, the play pedagogy of "KLANZA", creative thinking, etc.

Moreover, English-Polish Kindergarten OLIVER cares about artistic development of its pupils by shaping their artistic sensitivity, creating conditions for the development of their imagination and fantasy as well as plastic, musical and physical expression. This is reflected in various activities offered by the kindergarten, such as: rhythm, music education and plastic classes, dance classes, theatrical workshops, corrective gymnastics, etc.

Our aim is to bring up children who will be courageous, self-confident and open for changes, as these features will help them enter the adult life. (Several of our pupils have taken part in TV commercials; our children also participate in programmes produced and broadcast by Polskie Radio BIS.)

The aims and objectives of kindergarten OLIVER

The main educational and didactic objectives of our kindergarten include:
. taking care of children and their safety ,
. assisting in the individual development of the child, using its natural abilities, shaping child's attitudes in relationships with other people, with the world and life,
. bringing the psychical and physical development of the child to a level enabling it to begin school education,
. assisting parents in taking care of the child and in bringing it up,
. taking into account the individual needs of the child,
. trying to provide equal possibilities for children, strengthening their confidence in themselves and in the possibilities of success,
. creating conditions developing children's independence, taking responsibility for themselves and their closest environment,
. shaping observation skills, helping to understand phenomena which take place in the child's natural, social, cultural and technical environment,
. making children aware of the presence of other cultures and communication forms, developing general knowledge about the world by everyday contact with a language different than their own - i.e. English, arousing cognitive curiosity, encouraging to study things and to express their own thoughts and feelings, developing artistic sensitivity by creating conditions for the development of their imagination and fantasy as well as plastic, musical and physical expression.

Pedagogical staff

The kindergarten employs qualified young educators who completed their MA studies and postgraduate studies (such as speech therapy, re-education, etc.) , who also have licences to conduct classes of Glottodidactics by Professor Bronisław Rocławski, Children's Maths by Professor Ewa Gruszczyk-Kolczynska, speech therapy, or re-education. The headmaster of the kindergarten is mgr Renata Kaliszewska, a pedagogue with many-years experience in working with children, aware of all their needs and preferences. The pedagogical staff support children's mental and physical development as well as their abilities and interests on an everyday basis. The staff respect children's rights and their dignity. The teachers tenderly care for each and every one of their pupils and stay in good relationships with their parents. Parents, on the other hand, have the possibility to meet their child's teacher every day.

How the kindergarten works

The activity of the kindergarten includes taking care of children between 2,5 and 6 years of age. The groups do not exceed 15-16 children. The kindergarten is open from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm (Ursynów), 6,45 am to 6.00 pm (Białołęka). This is to suit the needs of the majority of working parents, who, with no additional stress, can get to us to take their children.

Home-made meals
Meals are prepared in our place and served five times a day, with no limitations (so-called seconds are popular). The meals are varied so that children with special taste can find something for themselves, too.

1. Breakfast: 9.00-9.30 am.
2. First course: 11.00-11.30 am.
3. Second course: 12.30-1.00 pm.
4. Afternoon snack I: 3.00-3.30 pm.
5. Afternoon snack II: 5.30-6.00 pm.

At the very beginning of our activity we decided to serve second course an hour after the soup, as it is actually impossible for a small child to eat a two-course dinner at a time.

In order to rule out any dangers, we have completely eliminated beef from our pupils' diet. We also offer a special diet for children suffering from any food allergies. Drinks are available for children at all times (also outside the fixed meal-times).

After-dinner rest
This is usually associated with the necessity to go to sleep - but our children can choose between resting, sleeping or playing, which allows them to relax and quiet down in a way which suits their characters best. During this time children can play, look over books or go out to the playground.

English groups
The english groups language classes and activities are conducted throughout the day, alternatively with classes and activities conducted in Polish (for example, plastic and music classes are held in English), moreover activities such as walks, playing in the garden and eating meals are also treated as a chance to learn English.

Monthly tuition fee is zł 1550 - the price includes glottodidactics classes, learning English during 50% of the child's stay in the kindergarten, rhythm education, corrective gymnastics, plastic, ceramic and dance classes, "the theatre game", a theatre play and concert once a month, all-day board, stay between 7.30 am. and 6.30 p.m.

More information about language classes More information about language classes

Additional, paid activities include: the services of a speech therapist, psychologist and excursions outside the kindergarten.