A Review of Preschools in Bolesławiec

We visited Bolesławiec preschools for our readers ahead of this year's recruitment. We were invited to six public preschools and the private Oxpress preschool. We give all of them the highest possible rating for professionalism and their friendly atmosphere.

Most of the preschools have undergone renovation and thermal modernization. The playgrounds are or will be well equipped (some are only waiting their turn for renovation). There is no shortage of toys and teaching materials. The rooms are bright, colorful and new. Each preschool has its own unique character.

One shared advantage of the preschools should be emphasized: their professional staff. The teachers have high qualifications, most often a master's degree or bachelor's degree. They continue their education and participate in numerous workshops to improve their work. The teachers are praised both by employers and by parents. They use modern methods and forms of working with children. The directors also emphasize good cooperation with parents. Special integration events, games, festivals and even theatrical performances are organized so that parents can participate in preschool life.

All public preschools in Bolesławiec implement the nationwide “Optimistic Preschool” program. Its aim is to develop children's optimism and self-esteem, interests and talents, as well as the ability to talk about their feelings. The program for optimistic preschools is designed so that, through appropriate praise and ways of explaining failures and successes, children develop a balanced image of themselves, a sense of confidence and faith in their own abilities.

We have prepared the first current overview of municipal preschools, providing the number of groups, the quality of their facilities, the condition of the buildings and playgrounds, and the additional activities on offer. The directors listed the advantages characteristic of each facility.

Municipal Public Preschool No. 1

50 Jana Pawła II Street
tel. 75 73289 88
mariola.bakalarz@op.pl
www.mp1boleslawiec.szkolnastronapl,

• A detached building on a large green area, in the middle of a housing estate. A new playground will be built in April 2011.
• Five groups for 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds – 130 children
• Open Monday to Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed in August 2011.
• Own kitchen. No cafeteria. Cooperation with parents of children with allergies or special diets.
• Additional activities: English and rhythmic movement classes (for an additional fee). Finding competitions and promoting talented children. Classical music concerts once a month. Trips for Children's Day, competitions and joint projects carried out with the Municipal Police, the Police and MZGK.
• Listed advantages: Thermal modernization of the building; cooperation with municipal institutions, involving children in city life. Traditional trips for Children's Day. Participation in numerous educational projects. Organization of festivals.

Municipal Public Preschool No. 2

17 Mikołaja Brody Street
tel. 75 73228 65
miejskie.przedszkole.publiczne.2@neostrada.pl
www.mpp2boleslawiec.szkolnastrona.pl.

• A detached historic villa with a large yard in the city center, on a quiet street. The playground is large and well equipped.
• Four groups for 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds – 129 children
• Open Monday to Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed in August 2011.
• Additional activities: English and rhythmic movement classes (for an additional fee). Classical music concerts once a month. Speech therapy classes for children with speech impediments as part of preschool classes (free of charge), and corrective gymnastics. Participation in the “All of Poland Reads to Kids” campaign.
• Own kitchen, no cafeteria. Cooperation with parents of children with allergies or special diets.
• Listed advantages: Modernization of all rooms. The preschool is housed in a beautiful historic building. It is large, with spacious rooms. Preschool monitoring. Speech therapy and corrective gymnastics paid for from the preschool budget.

Municipal Public Preschool No. 3

5 Ceramiczna Street
tel. 75 73484 10
mpp3bc10@op.pl
www.mp3boleslawiec.szkolnastrona.pl.

• The preschool is located in the building of Primary School No. 3, in separate rooms. It is outside the city center, in a quiet area away from busy streets. In the schoolyard, it has a small, fenced and well-equipped playground.
• Two combined groups for 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds – 60 children
• Open 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed in August 2011.
• Catering. No kitchen or cafeteria. Cooperation with parents of children with allergies or special diets.
• Additional activities: English, dance classes, rhythmic movement and speech-rhythm classes (for an additional fee). A speech therapist comes once a year and examines the children; the parents propose the date. Classical music concerts once a month.
• Listed advantages: Cooperation with the school and familiarizing older children with it. Participation in school life, including assemblies and events. Located in a quiet, peaceful area away from the city's noise. Children move from preschool to first grade without stress because they know the building, neighborhood, pupils and teachers.

Municipal Public Preschool No. 3 Branch

42a Dolne Młyny Street
tel. 75 73456 64
mpp3bc10@op.pl

• A detached building on a large green area near a housing estate, with a very large and well-equipped playground.
• Three combined groups for 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds – 75 children
• Open 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed in August 2011.
• Catering. No kitchen or cafeteria. Cooperation with parents of children with allergies or special diets.
• Additional activities: English, dance classes, rhythmic movement and speech-rhythm classes (for an additional fee); a speech therapist comes once a year and examines the children, with parents proposing the date; classical music concerts once a month.
• Listed advantages: Good facilities: a new, very well-equipped and large playground, thermal modernization of the building, and rooms for additional activities.

Municipal Public Preschool No. 4

9 Sądowa Street
tel. 75 73225 76
bkuciel@op.pl

• A detached building in the city center with a new, safe playground, including external monitoring and certified equipment, providing a place to rest among greenery.
• Five groups for 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds – 135 children.
• Open Monday to Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed in July 2011.
• Own kitchen. No cafeteria. Meals adapted to the recommended diet indicated for the child.
• Additional activities: English, rhythmic movement, swimming lessons and classical music concerts once a month (for an additional fee). Free additional activities: educational therapy, speech therapy, German, corrective gymnastics, art classes, and religion classes for older groups at the parents' request.
• Listed advantages: German and corrective gymnastics provided within the preschool budget. Swimming-pool classes. Its location supports cultural and health education through direct participation in activities offered by institutions neighboring the preschool, including the Municipal Library, the Museum of Ceramics, BOK-MCC, MDK, the State Music School and MOSiR. Primary-school teachers rate the children's preparation for compulsory schooling highly. The children participate in numerous nationwide and local competitions and educational and upbringing programs, winning prizes and distinctions.

Municipal Public Preschool No. 5 (with nursery groups)

16b Zygmunta Augusta Street
tel. 75 73226 61
mppwboleslawcu@onet.eu
www.mpp5boleslawiec.szkolnastrona.pl.

• A detached, modernized building on a large green area near a housing estate. A new playground is planned.
• Five groups for 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds.
• Open Monday to Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed during one of the summer months.
• Own kitchen. Cooperation with parents of children with allergies or special diets.
• Additional activities: English and dance (for an additional fee). Participation in an environmental program. Foreign trips as part of a partnership program with neighboring cities. Participation in numerous educational programs, including the “Clean Air Around Us” anti-smoking campaign.
• Listed advantages: Excellent facilities, including a modern kitchen and renovated building. The children's rooms are equipped with modern equipment and toys. The preschool has existed since 1977 and is an institution with traditions.

Municipal Public Preschool No. 6

2 Piotra i Pawła Street
tel. 75 73223 68
mpp6boleslawiec@interia.pl

• A detached building with a green area in the city center, on a quiet street. A playground is planned.
• Four groups for 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds – 100 children.
• Open Monday to Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed in July 2011.
• Own kitchen. Cooperation with parents of children with allergies or special diets.
• Additional activities: English and rhythmic movement (for an additional fee). Cooperation with the Forest District and trips to Osieczów, including the forest nursery. Cooperation with local television, where preschool children appear regularly.
• Own kitchen and separate dining room; children do not eat in the classrooms. Cooperation with parents of children with allergies or special diets.
• Listed advantages: A home-like atmosphere, small and cozy rooms, and the preschool's own cafeteria where children socialize. Participation in numerous educational programs.

Municipal Public Preschool No. 7 with groups for children with disabilities

5 Górne Młyny Street
tel. 75 73440 26
mppsiedem@gmail.com
https://www.mpp7boleslawiec.szkolnastrona.pl/.

• A detached building with a green area and a very large, well-equipped playground. In a quiet area.
• Four groups for 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds – 100 children, and two groups for children with disabilities – 40 children.
• Open Monday to Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed during one of the summer months.
• Own kitchen. Cooperation with parents of children with allergies or special diets.
• Additional activities: English and rhythmic movement (for an additional fee). Cooperation with the Forest District, visits to the forest nursery, and nativity plays performed for residents. A wide range of events. The groups for children with disabilities employ a psychologist, speech therapist and rehabilitation specialist. The specialists hold office hours and meet with the parents of all children.
• Listed advantages: The only preschool for children with disabilities in the city. Specialist office hours. Participation in educational programs. A nice, large playground.

Oxpress Private Preschool

22 Tyrankiewiczów Street
tel. 75 73250 55
oxpress@op.pl
www.oxpress.edu.pl.

• A detached building in the city center integrated with a private primary school. No playground. Activities take place in a gymnasium.
• Four groups for 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds, with the possibility of creating additional groups.
• Catering. No kitchen. Cooperation with parents of children with allergies or special diets.
• Open Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed during one of the summer months.
• Additional activities: Ceramic workshops, with work in clay, held every two or three weeks; English for four 45-minute lessons per week; sports activities; rhythmic movement combined with dance; corrective gymnastics; speech therapy, including individual therapy; outings to cultural centers, including the cinema and theater in the city, with admission costs covered by the preschool.
• Listed advantages: A speech therapist is available to provide individual speech therapy, as is a school pedagogue. The school nurse provides preventive healthcare. Additional activities are included in the tuition fee. English, six lessons per week. Small groups of up to 20 people. In the preparatory class, there are also swimming lessons twice a week, 45 minutes each. The program and educational profile implemented at the preschool continue at Oxpress Private Primary School.

Grażyna Hanaf