History. When and how was the kindergarten established?

Swedish company Flextronics based in Tczew, opened the daycare in July of 2001. Employees of the company wanted to open a daycare/preschool for their children with Swedish language. They placed an ad in the paper for an experienced preschool teacher with the knowledge of Swedish. I applied for the job and I was hired. I took a risk and after 20 years of employment in the government preschool system I accepted their offer.
At the beginning I had 12 children under my care. I was allowed to organise the preschool in my own way. I bought furniture, toys, teaching materials, etc.

Have you been given by Flexotronics any specific standards or guidelines to follow?

Yes. I had to follow the Swedish curriculum. At first I used method of Maria Montessori. At that time there were two teachers at the kindergarten who spoke both English and Swedish. In this form the kindergarten functioned for 1,5 year. Eventually, employees of Flextronics ended their contract and they left Poland. Since I was offered to take over all of the equipment and materials I decided to open a fully licensed daycare facility for children on my own. I called it Bocian Kindergarten.

How parents learned about the facility?

Parents learned about my facility mainly from friends and from international organisations, consulates and the Swedish Protestant Church.

Program. What is the weekly or monthly schedule like?

We work according to a monthly plan. There are four groups of subjects covered each month. It is mainly based on four seasons and subjects related to them. In December we discuss different customs and traditions in different countries related to Santa Claus, gifts, Christmas Eve and Christmas Tree.

Which major objectives differentiate Bocian Kindergarten from standard kindergartens?

Every week we have trips, tennis lessons, calisthenics and music classes. We adapt programs to each age group. We emphasize the necessity of individual approach to every child.. The main difference in our program is that children do not learn English in a conventional way, but as a communication tool. In spite of the age difference children form one group. Parents always accompany them during trips organised by Bocian.

What role do the parents play in the kindergarten?

Parents play an active role in the kindergarten. Some of the mothers do not work, nevertheless their children come to the kindergarten to spend time with other children and not to feel alienated in the foreign country.
In spite of the relaxed atmosphere prevailing at Bocian we do have strict rules regarding mealtimes, naptimes outdoor and indoor activities, playtime, etc.

What are the criteria for acceptance to the Bocian kindergarten?

The only relevant factor is the age of the child. We never had children younger than 2 years old here at the kindergarten. The number of children cannot exceed 12. It is important that child wants to stay at the center. So far we have had a good response; children like the place instantly, they do not cry and some of them don’t even want to go home. This is the biggest satisfaction for me. I know that children like me and feel comfortable here.

Foreign languages. Do foreign children learn Polish at Bocian?

One of our oldest employees ( the cook) who had worked at the government preschool for the past 30 years doesn’t speak any foreign languages and children learn basic phrases from her. We have children from different countries so they learn foreign languages from one another.

Future growth. Cooperation with other facilities?

We have contacts with the American School in Gdynia; children who graduate from our kindergarten continue their education there. Since I started the kindergarten the nationality of the children had changed. We have children ages 2-5 and only one of them is from Sweden.
I work together with the Swedish Consulate, the Protestant and Evangelistic Church. We meet at holiday gatherings, for example during the holiday of St.Lucia which is celebrated every year in Sweden.

Thank you for the interview.