Headmistress Irena

The thought that I would like to devote to working with children occurred to me when I went on the experience-gaining trip after my school-leaving exam. As an au pair and a nanny later, I spent a wonderful five years in English and German-speaking countries, which I like to think back to. Having returned, I majored and graduated in Management for Public Sector at the University of Ostrava.

When our twins were born in 2013, I discovered a Montessori approach and started looking for a nursery that would fulfill my expectations in this direction as well. I greatly liked the forest nursery concept but missed the quality facilities there. And so, the idea of having my own kindergarten arose.

When we discovered a house “in the paradise”, the nursery’s future was decided. I enrolled in a Nanny Training Course and obtained a “Preschool Montessori Pedagogy” certificate. I have been broadening the scope of my knowledge in the pedagogy field ever since then.

My biggest hobby is currently my children Hanička and Ondrášek, with whom we are always busy because there’s so much to explore :-).

Teacher Dominika

Working with children has been one of my dream jobs since childhood. As time passed, the list of dream jobs was becoming shorter and shorter. I realized that being a fairy, an environmentalist, or a detective wouldn’t be the right choice, and so it was decided. I wanted to be a preschool teacher. I stood by it and tried to reach for it all the years until I left the University of Ostrava holding my diploma and smiling from ear to ear. After that, it was only enough to find a nursery I would like, and hurray to work. When I came across the webpage of our nursery and then saw it with my own eyes, it was decided. The nursery has become a place for me where I look forward to being every day, where there’s nature, animals, and a garden within arm’s reach; and my job content is to return to the good old days of childhood, and get to know, observe, explore, learn, smile, feel, experience together with children; and last but not least, rejoice in their happiness with them.

Then, at one moment, you realize that you actually spend your time barefoot in the grass, being in a beautiful environment and enjoying a nice atmosphere. You play, sing, and draw, and you are paid for it as well.  

You realize you have kiddies around you, who can boost your energy and help you see “a boa constrictor digesting an elephant, instead of a hat”. And what else can you give them in return for it than repeat and enable them to fulfill the words by A. de Saint-Exupéry: “Try your best to be happy …”

Teacher Daniela

I come from a railway family so I used to believe in a railroader career. But when dreams do not come true they are usually replaced by others. So I started to focus on art. After finishing secondary grammar school I went over to study the History of Art and later even Foundry Industry.

During this stage of life, I got pregnant and when my daughter was born I knew that working with children would be my cup of coffee. At the end of maternity leave, I was attending a training course for Educator Assistants for several months and during it, I occasionally had a chance to lend this kindergarten a hand. I must confess that I have always secretly wished to work here.

And these dreams have come true, I work here as a nanny now. And when I am not at the kindergarten? I take care of my awesome children, I bake cakes for my children and family or you can find me relaxing in nature playing disc golf.

Teacher Dorka

Since I was a child I was always very playful and creative and the love for games of all kinds has not left me to this day.

I have been struggling with the decision of my career choice, so after Grammar school, I simply enrolled in multiple Universities and ended up studying Law. Soon I realized that this was not the way to go.  Advocacy was too dry for me and it was clear that I needed a job where I could play and be creative. I have been traveling and working abroad for a couple of years, as an Aupair among others.

My path led me back to the Czech, which I took as a sign to finally decide how to carry on with my life. A job in kindergarten was an obvious choice. As I love nature, I find the concept of forest nurseries the perfect way to plant seeds of love in children in today’s fast-moving times. I have passed my Nanny Training Course and found out there is a spot waiting for me in this nursery. As of now, I am planning to devote myself to working with children to the fullest.

Nanny Andy

I attended a general high school that opened many doors for me in the future.

Even during high school, I had the idea in my mind that I wanted a job where I could utilize my potential, not just the knowledge from school but also from self-education. Although I applied to universities, I somehow felt that a year of intensive English language study would give me much more. And it did. I concluded my studies with a Cambridge exam and also focused on education in the field of fitness and nutrition during the year.

From the very first moment I learned about working in a forest preschool, I was very enthusiastic about the whole concept and the pleasant team. Initially, I came here to help with the children and train mothers in the afternoons. That was the moment when another path opened up for me. I completed a course for Child Caregivers, and since then, I have been working in the preschool. It’s beautiful to see how we all grow and progress together every day.

Teacher Nikol

Working with children was my dream since I was a child, so when it was time to choose a high school, the choice was clear. I chose the Middle School of Pedagogy, specializing in preschool and extracurricular education. During my studies, I would spend summers at children’s camps, where I worked as a leader for the youngest children.

After successfully completing my high school education, I started working at a state nursery school, where I ended up in a Montessori class. I fell in love with this alternative approach and knew I wanted to work and improve in this field. I therefore completed a one-year Accredited Montessori Course in Vyšehrádek Elementary School in Prague.

After three years at the state nursery school, I felt that I needed a change. I stumbled upon Školička u lesa by chance, but after reading through their website, I felt that their philosophy was very close to me and that I would be happy to be part of the team. I went to an interview and it clicked 🙂

Teacher Katka

Education has always interested me, and one of my university applications was intended for the Faculty of Education. In the end, I chose to study International Development Studies because this field combined other areas of my interest – geography and humanities. Nevertheless, my passion for education persisted, and during my studies, I started working in a non-profit educational organization. I began as a lecturer in global development education. Over time, I also got involved in project management and the creation of a blended-learning course for teachers. I enjoyed this work so much that I started studying for a pedagogical qualification to fully dedicate myself to it in the future. Between my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, I tried living in France, where I also gained experience as an Aupair.

I am a person with a lot of interests, including travel, languages, books. I enjoy organizing community and educational events and am also passionate about a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

After completing my studies and moving to Ostrava, I was looking for a way to apply my skills, and I hope I have found the right place in the Forest Preschool. 🙂