Educational Center of Kindergarten Telecí

Kindergarten Telecí

• Number of classes: 2
• Number of children: 35
• Certification in the Eco‑school and Creative Play programme.

The kindergarten team has been working together for four years and shares a common passion for nature, the local environment, outdoor activities and a respectful approach to children.

The nursery is unique not only in its philosophy, but also in being part of a primary school with which it shares a common direction — environmental education. In 2021, the teachers, children and parents joined our grant challenge and started to work intensively on the transformation of the school garden. This process has led to the creation of a new school curriculum: The Garden on a Journey of Discovery, which reflects natural learning in contact with nature.

The school emphasizes outdoor learning, discovery, creation and observation. Here, children develop respect for nature, a love for their home region and community, responsibility, creativity and the ability to work together. The transformation of the garden and nursery has been made possible by the strong support of parents and the local community, who are actively involved in the care and development of the garden.

What we did

We helped the nursery create ideal conditions in the garden for children's ecological education, while embracing its family‑like character. The space has naturally become the heart of the picturesque village of Pardubice, fitting beautifully into its surroundings.

We used the proven concept of the four elements, which invites children to engage with the garden using all their senses. A favourite is the element of earth, where children can crawl through tunnels and dig in the sand, with wooden logs for ground contact. Water is represented by a pond, to be expanded with a system of troughs and water mills, and collected rainwater supports herb and perennial beds. Children can enjoy the air on swings and hammocks, accompanied by chimes and weather stations. The fire element will soon be brought to life with a fire pit and an outdoor oven.

More about the transformation

The garden underwent several structural and conceptual changes during the transformation. We removed old play elements, cut down aging trees, and planted new ones. The space was enriched with compost and raised garden beds. A major success is the continuation of popular community events regularly held in the garden—these have not only strengthened community ties but also helped raise additional funds for further improvements.