Dušníky Kindergarten

Why did we decide to support this project?

The kindergarten team impressed us with their long term, strong cooperation with parents and the wider community. The teachers started the garden transformation using their own skills and willpower. Their exceptional commitment and their ability to successfully complete the garden renewal led us to support their efforts. The foundation provided guidance on how to use fundraising, including a public campaign, to secure the necessary funding, and offered consultation support. The kindergarten then successfully organised the campaign and the foundation matched the amount raised from donors.

Due to the cooperation with the foundation, the kindergarten secured funding for the next phase of the garden transformation, and gained both the tools and know how that can help finance future projects.

More about the transformation

The impulse for the transformation was a wish to use the garden every day and further expand opportunities for children to spend time outdoors. The garden was transformed in several phases, so that each step could be prepared and changes could be functionally tested to identify what further changes would be needed..

First, the non‑functional elements were removed, they were replaced with a new nest swing and spring riders. A growing zone with raised beds was then created, built in 2023 during Earth Day celebrations; children planted herbs and strawberries there.

The next phase was planting shrubs with edible fruit and improving the slopes, including clearing space, installing coconut netting, planting perennials and shrubs, and mulching. The gazebo was renovated and the garden shed was completed, which children decorated with a meadow kingdom motif. A paved area was created at the entrance and a composter with a viewing window was added for learning about nature.

More elements were added for different types of activities, including drawing boards, a basketball hoop, a wooden xylophone, a relaxation deck, balancing posts, and an insect hotel; with the filling prepared by the children as well. A rose bed was created, along with steps in the slope, a natural fire pit with benches, and a sensory path in the shape of a butterfly.

The transformation also shaped the kindergarten’s community life. The teachers accompanied the project with a charity run called Run4Fun, using the proceeds to purchase benches for the fire pit. On 10 May 2024, the kindergarten held a tree planting celebration in the garden and invited all donors and volunteers who had supported the garden transformation.