When mom and dad go to work

Katowice has been consistent in the implementation of its pro-family policy. Even though we increase the number of places available in public nurseries, the demand is still high. We reached for the EU funds to create in the city further, much needed, places of professional care for the youngest in order to help parents return to work and reconcile professional duties with the care and upbringing of children. In total, we gave parents as many as 240 places for their children.

Using the support of the European Funds, new Branches of the Municipal Nursery were established in Zawodzie, Osiedle Tysiąclecia and at Boya-Żeleńskiego Street. We extended the exiting Nursery Branch in city center. Our activity was not limited to creating new places only. We put a strong emphasis on the provision of proper care, education and upbringing for children, adapted to the needs of our little ones. Since an increase in diagnosed emotional disorders in young children has been observed in recent years, we have prepared a package of additional classes that enabled the contact and work with a psychologist. They consisted mainly in supporting development through psycho-motor and cognitive training, fairy tales therapy, and relaxation. The fact that both a speech therapist and a teacher worked with children at an early stage of their development, made it possible to diagnose early dysfunctions and correct them effectively.

A comprehensive pro-family policy should not exclude direct supported aimed at parents. We paid special attention to fathers, encouraging them to get involved in the care, education, and development of their children as far as possible.

In the project, we have also accounted for expectations of some parents, concerning alternative care form involving co-funding of the employed babysitter’s remuneration. This applied to 50 children who were not covered with the nursery care. Thanks to us, their parents did not need to resign from their professional duties. The interest in our project exceeded our expectations. Even at the implementation stage, further parents contacted us in order to join in and participate in the project. Many parents inquire about further editions of the project.

I wanted to return to work after maternity leave. We analysed various options with my husband. Everybody in our families is professionally active, so we did not want to burden anybody with additional duties. And we just could not afford a nanny. The nursery was the most rational solution. We were only left with the question: municipal or private and how much will it cost?

Finally, we chose for Pola a municipal branch of the nursery in Katowice, where free places for children co-funded with the EU funds were created. When we are at work to realise our plans and dreams, when we strive for professional fulfilment, our daughter stays in a friendly and safe place, under good care. I can honestly say that this is a perfect solution for us. I am a neuro-speech therapist by profession. I know how important it is to socialise the child from its youngest years. The Katowice nursery was the best possible choice for me. I am happy with the care, empathy, patience, and great tenderness that the personnel has for our children. As a non-standard option, I could use the opportunity to talk to a psychologist and pedagogue. The parents could also talk to a speech therapist.

Did I have doubts at first? Yes, like all parents do. Pola is strongly attached to us. I was worried that the stress resulting from the separation from me would increase it. As a breastfeeding mother, I was also worried if Pola would accept the lack of breastfeeding and if the meals would be good for her, would she like them. There were many various questions in my head. However, my doubts disappeared quickly. My daughter had no bigger problems adapting to her new surrounding and even at the weekend she is ready to go to the nursery. She likes her new friends a lot and has her favourite teachers. She has also acquired new skills, for example she is much better at eating by herself now. These are small steps that parents are waiting for and are happy to see.

In September, we started the final nursery education year with Pola and it’s a pity that this stage will soon be behind us. I am convinced that this time will benefit us in the kindergarten.