How It All Began
Školička u lesa was born out of a very personal need. We were looking for a place for our own children — an environment where their natural rhythm, individual needs, and curiosity would be respected. A place where relationships and a sense of safety would matter more than performance, and where children could experience daily contact with nature.
In 2016, we opened Školička u lesa. Over time, a community of families formed around it — families who shared similar values and expectations. Growing interest led us, in 2019, to open an additional group and gradually expand the kindergarten into the form it has today.
From the very beginning, spending as much time outdoors as possible has been essential to us. The garden, the nearby forest, contact with animals, and everyday activities in a natural setting are a natural part of each day. During the colder months, outdoor time is complemented by targeted care for children’s health and immunity, including the use of a salt sauna.
Školička u lesa has grown together with the children who have passed through it — and it continues to evolve. It remains a place where professionalism meets humanity, and where every child is given space to grow at their own pace.
Who We Are Today
We are a family-run kindergarten in Ostrava, combining a calm and safe environment with a professional approach to early childhood care and education. We create a place where children can develop at their own pace, in harmony with their individual needs and with respect for their uniqueness.
We care deeply about children feeling well — both physically and emotionally. We support independence, healthy movement, relationships with others, and natural curiosity. We believe that strong foundations are built where there is calm, trust, and meaningful boundaries.
How We Think About Children and Upbringing
We see every child as a unique individual, with their own pace, needs, and way of learning. The foundation of our work is the relationship — a sense of safety, trust, and acceptance. It is within such an environment that children can naturally grow and gain confidence in themselves.
We do not see mistakes as failure, but as a natural part of learning. We take emotions seriously — they are important signals of what a child is experiencing and what they need. We guide children in recognizing their emotions and gradually learning how to work with them.
A respectful approach does not mean a lack of boundaries. On the contrary, we set clear and understandable limits that provide children with support and a sense of safety. The adult’s role is that of a guide — someone who supports the child while also giving them space to explore the world in their own way.
The Environment in Which Children Grow
We see the environment as an essential part of upbringing. It influences how children feel, how they understand the world, and how independently they are able to act. That is why we ensure it is clear, stimulating, and at the same time calm.
The kindergarten is surrounded by a large garden and naturally connects to a nearby forest. Being outdoors is a regular part of the day, not a special occasion. Children have space for movement, exploration, experimentation, and quiet observation of nature. Through contact with the natural environment, they learn to see connections, respect both living and non-living things, and care for the world around them.
Indoor spaces are adapted to children’s needs. They are functional, clear, and thoughtfully arranged to support independence, orientation, and calm play. Children find play corners, learning materials, and spaces for shared activities. The environment is designed to encourage initiative while also providing a sense of security.
We understand the space itself as a “quiet guide” — it does not create pressure, but offers possibilities. Children choose their own activities, while adults support and gently guide them through the process.
How We Support Learning and Development
We understand learning as a natural process arising from experience, play, and everyday situations. Children learn through what they live, discover, and repeatedly try in different contexts. We do not rush, test, or compare. We give space to curiosity and inner motivation.
We place great emphasis on movement and body awareness. The natural terrain of the garden and forest, movement-based games, and calm activities support healthy physical development, coordination, and resilience. Care for health also includes the use of a sauna with halotherapy and aromatherapy, which we see as support for children’s immunity and overall well-being.
Equally important to us are relationships and social skills. Children learn to cooperate, communicate, resolve everyday situations, and respect the needs of others. We guide them toward empathy, consideration, and the ability to be part of a group without losing themselves.
The adult acts as a guide throughout this process — offering stimuli, creating a safe environment, and responding sensitively to the needs of individual children. Independence is encouraged, while support is always close at hand when needed.
Educational Approaches and Inspirations
We do not follow a single educational approach dogmatically. We recognize that every child and every group is different, and we choose what makes sense in a given context and moment.
We draw inspiration from a respectful approach, elements of Montessori pedagogy, forest education, and insights from modern developmental psychology. These perspectives help us support independence, intrinsic motivation, a healthy relationship to learning, and a healthy relationship to oneself.
We do not see individual principles as a set of rules, but as tools. We observe what truly benefits children and adapt our way of working accordingly. Meaningfulness, sensitivity, and the ability to respond to children’s needs here and now are essential to us.
The Role of the Adult in the Kindergarten
We see the adult as a guide who creates a safe framework and conditions for a child’s natural development. Not someone who controls every step, but someone who observes, listens, and responds to children’s real needs.
Teachers and caregivers support children’s independence, offer meaningful activities, and help them navigate situations that arise in everyday group life. They are a source of support in moments of uncertainty as well as joy, helping children find their own solutions.
Clearly set boundaries are an important part of a child’s sense of safety. Within them, children can move freely, try new things, and learn responsibility for their actions. Adults maintain these boundaries calmly, clearly, and with respect.
Cooperation with families is natural and important to us. We share information, listen, and seek a common path so that children experience continuity between home and kindergarten.
Practical Operation of the Kindergarten
Školička u lesa consists of two children’s groups.
Školka Rajská is intended for children approximately from four years of age to preschool age.
Školka Eldorádo provides care for younger children, roughly from one and a half to four years of age.
We work with smaller groups to ensure an individual approach and sufficient space for each child’s needs.
Children are cared for by a stable and experienced team of teachers and caregivers who accompany them through everyday kindergarten life. We place emphasis on continuity of relationships, a calm environment, and close cooperation within the team.
The kindergarten is open ten hours a day, from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and offers various attendance options according to the needs of families.
Documents for Download
- Programme of Care and Education – Školka Rajská
- Programme of Care and Education – Školka Eldorádo
- Operating Rules – Školka Rajská
- Operating Rules – Školka Eldorádo