First Lady Cecilia Morel launches kindergartens that will open during the summer vacation for the children of working mothers.
The program is called “Vacaciones en mi Jardín” (My Kindergarten Vacation) and will operate in 97 kindergartens throughout Chile, which will remain open during the summer vacation.
The main aim is to avoid the difficulties that working mothers face during the summer when there is no care available for their children.
For many people, summertime is synonymous with relaxation but for some heads of household it is a time of intense work, particularly for those who work in the tourism industry or seasonal farm work. It is also a complicated time for low-income families who rely on the free meals that are provided by Fundación Integra’s kinergartens.
This foundation, of which First Lady Cecilia Morel is the President, identified this issue and looked for a solution. The result is the “Vacaciones en mi Jardín” (My Kindergarten Vacation) program which will involve 97 kindergartens opening during the summer throughout Chile. This will benefit 4,700 children and their families. These centers will be open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m..
The ethos of this program focuses on play and will be staffed by a specially trained team of pre-school teachers in association with professionals from Servicio Pais (National Community Service Program). The difference between this program and previous programs is that this summer there will be a greater emphasis on play, recreational activities, more educational resources, diaries for communicating with parents to strengthen links with home and above all a strong desire to make the children really feel like they are on vacation.
Cecilia Morel highlighted the work of the pre-school teachers who are behind this project. “One of the aims of this government is to create jobs, particularly for women. This is the reason why we are opening these kindergartens, so that women can go to work safe in the knowledge that their children are playing and learning in capable hands. In addition, these children will be learning how to lead healthier lives, they will be doing physical activities instead of being bored at home with relatives or watching television. And this is precisely the aim of our Elige Vivir Sano (Choose to Live Healthily) program, which aims to teach Chileans to live healthier lives from a young age.”
“Vacaciones en mi Jardín” has a team of pre-school teachers trained in nutrition, health and child protection. The program also includes a nutritional plan for the children and free sun-block so that they can make the most of being outside. The program was launched at the Raúl Silva Henríquez kindergarten in the municipality of La Cisterna, where the children were also able to enjoy an exhibition by the entomologist Alfredo Ugarte of reptiles, insects and arachnoids.
“The summer vacations are the time to live the unique experiences that will make up your childhood memories. This is why our proposal is based on play, recreation and well-being so that these children really feel like they are on vacation”, explained Sergio Domínguez, Executive Director of the Fundación Integra.
To find out which kindergartens are taking part in this program, see the “Vacaciones en mi Jardín” section of the foundation’s website at www.integra.cl.
Association with Servicio Pais (National Community Service Program)
In September 2011, the Fundación Integra and the Fundación Superación de la Pobreza (Foundation for Overcoming Poverty) agreed that for the summer of 2012, professionals from Servicio Pais would participate in the Fundación Integra’s “Vacaciones en mi Jardín” program. As a result, volunteers will be sent to 6 day care centers in 5 municipalities in the Valparaíso, Bío Bío and Araucanía regions to start their community service work in these pre-school settings.