Seventh project meeting

Project partners from participating kindergartens, Waldorf School and the Municipality of Příbram travelled to Hoorn take part in the next project meeting which was held in Hoorn from 15 May to 18 May. At first, the group visited the city of Amsterdam where they got to know local traditional flower markets. During a boat ride, they tasted traditional cheese and hot drinks and learnt about customs in Holland. On the following day the group visited a day centre where they were acquainted with the organisation of after-school activities for children. The children presented a cowboy dance, showed their toys and garden which was equipped in a natural style – with pallets, wood, willow tunnel etc. The children looked really satisfied and showed how they make mosaics from mirror or how they play games on computers.  

Our next visit was in a kindergarten. The most surprising moment was that 4 year old children help to prepare snack for 6 months old babies. Every kindergarten teachers looked after 5 children at the age ranging from 6 months to 4 years. Kindergartens in Holland are paid. Women have only 10 weeks of maternity leave after that they usually start working again. Mothers usually work part time when their children are small. On the next day we visited an elementary school which is for children from the age of 4 to 12. At school we really appreciated that everybody was very friendly and nice. We also liked that interpersonal relationships and communication plays an important role in education.     

Last but not least we had a chance to visit a community centre. This centre was really special to us as it is a place where generations can meet. From the youngest children attending kindergartens to the oldest ones – pensioners. This is what we miss in the Czech Republic. The community centre is based on the work of volunteers and it offers a large scale of opportunities – a children´s club, a second-hand shop, a library, extra lessons for slow learners, club for teenagers etc. Our stay in Hoorn was really challenging and we realised that education in Holland and the Czech Republic are quite similar.