Starting from March, the mSzkrab will start functioning. It is a place where Wrocław University of Technology students and doctoral students will be able to leave their children under the care of child minders. The renovation of the children’s club in the T4 dorm at Górnickiego St. 22 is almost completed.
“We are currently finishing the recruitment of child minders.” – says Kamil Nawirski from the MANUS Foundation that will be running the University children’s club. “We still have to buy all the equipment: bed-clothes, toys, and teaching aids. Commissioning of the rooms is currently in progress and when it is completed we will have to obtain permissions from the Sanepid (Sanitary and Epidemiological Station) and the fire department. Once all the safety standards are met, mSzkrab will be enlisted in a register at the Municipal Office. Only then can we officially start working.
The club is designed for children of the age of 1-3. It will be possible to leave a child here for a maximum of 4 hours, 3 times a week. “We opted for a rotational system, so that as many children as possible can be benefit from the services.” – says Nawirski. He adds that the rooms can accommodate up to 24 children. The staff of the club will be composed of the manager (who will also involve in taking care of the children), six child minders, and volunteers, e.g. students of pedagogy. “We are planning a moderate fee, as we are aware of the financial possibilities of young parents, and especially students.” – assures the MANUS Foundation President.
mSzkrab will be open from 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Saturday. If necessary, the working hours can be adapted to the requirements of the parents. In order to benefit from the service one has to register on the mszkrab.manus.pl website (it will start working soon) and sign an agreement. “Food will be provided by a catering company. Upon reserving a place, the parent will be able to choose a menu that offers the child’s favourite dishes.” – says Nawirski.
The renovation of the rooms commenced in September 2013 and cost over 900 000 PLN. “The idea of organizing such place for children occurred to me in 2010 when I and the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs were visiting Dresden. In the Studentenwerk dorm we saw a place where students could leave their children under supervision for a couple of hours. We wanted to implement this idea at our University but only in 2011 were the legal regulations modified so that it became possible.” – says Kamil Nawirski.
The mSzkrab children’s club has an area of almost 300 sq. metres. It includes two large rooms designed for play and rest, a dining room, a kitchen, two cloakrooms, a toilet room adapted to the needs of the youngest children (with a baby changing table and shower), a separate toilet room for persons with disabilities, and crew rooms for the staff.
The building of the club neighbours a fenced outdoor playground with a slide, a swing, and a sandpit.
The website with the registration system will be launched at the end of February. More details available here.
Iwona Szajner
Translation: Dariusz Więcławski
|