Preschool education has always been an extremely important stage in the formation of a child. It is during this period that the foundations of social skills are laid, emotional intelligence develops, and basic knowledge and ideas about the world are formed. In peacetime, preschool education provides stability and comfort for children, creating conditions for their harmonious development. However, in the conditions of war, the importance of preschool education acquires special importance. It becomes not only a learning tool, but also an important psychological resource that helps children overcome stress, restore a sense of security and stability.
During the war, thousands of Ukrainian children lost the opportunity to attend regular kindergartens. Ruined educational institutions, forced resettlement, lack of qualified personnel and others have created a situation where access to education has become a serious problem. In response to this, in Ukraine, it was decided to implement an innovative approach — the launch of mobile kindergartens, which will provide educational services to children with the help of specially equipped vehicles.
The Ministry of Education and Science, on the instructions of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, developed the relevant project of the Regulation on mobile kindergarten. According to the plans, mobile kindergartens will be able to function both in the format of educational services in a vehicle and through mobile teams of teachers who will work in specially adapted stationary premises. About this reported Deputy Minister of Education and Science Yevgenia Smirnova, who oversees preschool education. According to her, on June 6, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the new Law of Ukraine “On Preschool Education”, it was signed by the President on July 5, but it will enter into force on July 7, 2025. The law provides for various types of kindergartens to improve access to education, including: mobile kindergartens, family kindergartens, mini-kindergartens, special institutions for children with special needs, child development centers, and preschool centers.
This initiative aims to provide access to preschool education for children living in hard-to-reach or war-affected regions. The concept involves the creation of educational spaces in vehicles, equipped with everything necessary for the education and development of children. In such buses, it is planned to place play areas, educational materials, areas for creativity and recreation. In October 2024, the first “kindergarten on wheels” has already started operating in the Kherson region.
So, from July 7, on the third year of the war in Ukraine, other mobile kindergartens will start operating.
However, the introduction of this idea caused a significant wave of criticism among Ukrainians, which is reflected in theirs comments on Facebook. Education workers and parents express doubts about the effectiveness of mobile kindergartens. The main argument of critics is that this form of education can be a temporary solution that will not replace permanent institutions. In addition, questions arise regarding the safety of children on buses, especially in the event of escalation of hostilities. There are also concerns about whether there will be enough qualified teachers to work in such conditions and whether all educational standards will be met.
