Description
OURANIO TOXO II comes as a response to the ever increasing demand for working and unemployed parents to find suitable day care services for toddlers, but also child care for after school hours. The project seeks to provide enabling environments for low-income families to maintaining jobs and a family, but also to minimize the risk for social exclusion though: daycare services for children aged 5-12 years old offered in the after-school hours during the school year and for the whole day during school holidays. Services provided at the Nicosia Municipality Multinational Foundation include educational and recreational activities such as support for homework, theater and English Language classes, sports activities, outdoor excursions, and discussions on multiculturalism and diversity. In-Home Quality Day-Care programme for toddlers and preschoolers aged 2-5 offering: 1.Physically safe, cognitively challenging and emotionally nurturing environments. 2. Time for uninterrupted play. 3. Trust in the child to be an explorer and self-learner. 4. Involvement in activities that allow children to become an active participant rather than a passive recipient.
Summary of project results
The objective of the OURANIO TOXO II project addresses the lack of child day-care services for working parents but also unemployed parents especially mothers looking for work. As such, the project provides: • Day care services to 26 children aged between 5 to 12 years old, during after school hours (1.05pm – 6.00pm) throughout the school year, as well as for the whole day (7.30am –6.00pm) during the school holidays (Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays). • In-Home based toddler and preschooler care services for children aged from 2 up to 5 years of age from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm during weekdays. Four such in-home facilities were selected: a) an in-home facility for toddlers aged 2-3 months old, and b) an in-home facility for preschoolers aged 3-5 years old. The project met or exceeded its targets as follows: 1. Produced all progress and financial reports foreseen by the EEA Grants Agreement 2. Produced an evaluation reports presenting added value and sustainability of project actions 3. Enrolment in the after school child care program as well as in the school holiday period of 26 children exceeding the target value of 22 4. Provision of training for in-home toddler and preschooler caregivers to 10 children. The target value of 12 was not reached as it was difficult to find certified caregivers. However demand for services is very high. 5. Organized and information seminar for the 1 in 5 campaign which was attended by more than 40 parents and children (additional activity). 6. Acquired publicity for project activities and results with 7 placements, articles and participation radio talk shows. 7. Compiled a guide for social entrepreneurship (additional activity). 8. Project action continues after the end of funding by EEA Grants.
Summary of bilateral results