Providing equal opportunities for all: preschool education programme in Jelgava (Latvia)

Latvia

Jelgava kindergarten„Rotala” (Jelgavas Pirmsskolas izglītības iestāde ‘’Rotaļa’’)

Lacplesa street 5, Jelgava, LATVIA Phone: 63083102 E-mail: rotala5@inbox.lv http://www.jip.jelgava.lv/izg_pirmssk.php

Governmental

Preschool education establishment "Rotala" has 12 groups, of which two are rehabilitation groups. Establishment is attended by 288 children, of whom 18 are children with special needs (14 children are divided in 2 rehabilitation groups and 4 children are included in mainstream groups). The kindergarten implements several preschool education programs, including special education program for children with physical disabilities. In “Rotala” there are 65 employees, of which 33 teachers and support staff professionals: psychologist, speech therapist, physiotherapist, masseuse, ergo-therapist, music therapist. Each rehabilitation group has 2 preschool teachers and 2 nurses. These specialists provide also individual classes for children.
„Rotala” is working with the „Step-by-step” methodology, which since year 1997 is introduced to preschool and primary education in 30 countries. In Latvia teacher certification started in 2004. Currently there are 69 certified teachers working in Latvia, including several pre-school teachers in "Rotala". As the result this program teaching skills of teachers working with children with special needs are being sophisticated. Teachers in their work take into account the child's individual development, in provide early diagnosis and identify the necessary forms of assistance. Personnel pay large attention to ensuring supportive environment for the child's overall development, also rehabilitation of children with physical disabilities.

Program aims to provide pre-school children with the necessary skills taking into account their abilities, strengthen the health, and facilitate communication and cooperation skills, preparing children for social integration and mastering elementary education. To reach the goals of the program each child has individual plan, based on which teacher and support personnel specialists’ provide targeted diagnosis, research, rehabilitation and correction work. Children with special needs in daily life are together with all other children walking, in parties, and sporting events. Once a week there is also and “integrative day” when children with special needs from rehabilitation groups are taking part in the respective age mainstream group. Inclusive education helps to achieve better results in social development. It has the role in developing social skills and building a sense of belonging to peer environment.

Teachers, support personnel professionals and parents are cooperating to support development of children with special needs to ensure their successful inclusion into society.
Since 1993 a 1group for children with CBT - 8 students is operating in Jelgava. In 2003 with financial support from Jelgava City Council and the International Rotari club's a group for children with severe mobility disability (wheelchairs, paresis and paralyses) was opened, which had 10 children. To offer wider opportunities for children's development with state grants and local financial support children’s swimming pool was opened in 2005. The number of children in group reached 18-19. Pre-school program includes 17 children with disabilities, 19 children with speech disorders, 15 children with posture disabilities.

There is active parents support group “Saules berns” in Jelgava, which is administrated by “Rotala” special education teacher Irena Domniece, who is also mother of “a special child”. Support group meetings attended by children with special needs - parents, grandparents, tutors, as well as friends, teachers, etc. people who are genuinely interested to help integrate children into society. It is a community where you can share experiences and gain information that helps to better understand themselves and their behavior in different situations in contact with t "special child", to better understand children's own thinking and actions, as well as feelings other family members. Closer cooperation has been built up with different pre-primary institutions in Latvia, which takes over the practice. Such as Valmieru, Dobele, Daugavpils, etc. The institution cooperates with Pärnu (Estonia) preschool education institutions; also institution was attended by guests from Sweden and Norway. Administration specialists participated in the international conference on integration education in Ukraine and Lithuania. There is a good cooperation with Jelgavas 1st boarding school’s administration and teachers. As a result of collaboration we found opportunity to open a school class for children with severely limited mobility (wheelchairs).

pre-school education, inclusive education