Happy kindergarten for everyone

Summary

The “Happy Kindergarten for Everyone” concept - encompassing teachers and staff, pupils, and their families - is vital for fostering lifelong learning, emotional wellbeing, and social development from an early age. The approach is built on three equally important pillars: the wellbeing of educators and staff, parental engagement, and the holistic development of children. A key focus of the project is also the integration of European values into preschool education, laying the groundwork for inclusive, empathetic, and democratic learning environments.

“A happy kindergarten is where everyone first learns to be kind, to share, and to see that everyone belongs - just like in Europe!”  

Topic(s) addressed

• Inclusion and Diversity

Teachers, parents and children learn that everyone is different - and that's something to celebrate.

• Empathy and Respect

Focus on teaching to listen to and to hear every child and treat everyone with kindness.

Target group(s)  

• Direct target groups: preschool teachers and children
• Indirect target groups: pupils' parents

Methodologies used

In the “Happy Kindergarten for Everyone” Erasmus+ project, teaching and learning approaches were designed to reflect child-centred, inclusive, and value-driven education, in line with both early childhood development principles and core European values.  

The methodology placed children at the heart of learning, with a focus on emotional wellbeing and personal growth. This was supported by child-centred, project-based, and thematic approaches, along with collaborative and reflective practices. Professional exchange among staff reinforced a strong culture of teamwork and ongoing improvement.

Innovation environment

In the “Happy Kindergarten for Everyone” Erasmus+ project, the learning environment plays a key role in supporting innovative teaching and learning. It is designed not only as a physical space, but also as a flexible, emotional, and social environment where children can thrive, explore, and grow in line with European values.  

The project emphasises an emotionally safe and nurturing atmosphere for both children and staff; flexible, child-centred spaces that also offer a comfortable environment for teaching and non-teaching staff; multisensory and creative zones enriched with a wide variety of educational materials; outdoor and nature-based learning combined with informal collaboration among teaching staff; and the role of the teacher as a co-learner and facilitator, embedded within a whole-school approach.

Teachers’ role

Teachers are one of the main direct target groups in this project, with key roles that include creating a safe and nurturing environment to support pupils’ wellbeing, encouraging inclusive practices, and promoting joyful learning while building positive relationships. At the same time, teachers are the heart of a happy kindergarten, and it is essential that school administrations prioritise creating a positive and supportive working environment for both teaching and non-teaching staff.

Impact and output

The expected outcome of the project by 2027 is the creation of a comprehensive “Happy for Everyone” kindergarten model. Between 2023 and 2025, efforts are focused on fostering a happy environment for both teaching and non-teaching staff. In 2025–2026, the focus will shift to creating a joyful and supportive school environment for children, and 2026–2027 will be dedicated to engaging and supporting pupils’ parents and families.

The project is expected to have a significant impact on school communities, including an improved school climate, greater family engagement, and smoother transitions to primary school. At the local community level, the initiative aims to foster increased community cohesion, greater public support for early childhood education, and a stronger sense of civic pride and identity.  

A joyful, inclusive kindergarten becomes a symbol of a caring and forward-looking community, enhancing its public image and overall appeal.

Learn more about the project

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