New Creche for children, age 0-3, in Elbasan

Today we inaugurated the new Creche No.4, for children 0-3 years old, the first one in the city built and equipped according to standards. This new creche will provide quality care, development and education services for infants and children with the aim of developing their skills, access to early learning and successful transition to kindergarten and school. The construction, equipment and functioning of this creche is one of the interventions in the field of Early Childhood Development and Education, that Save the Children is implementing in the framework of the project "Towards inclusive education for all preschool children in Albania". financed by the Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation and Save the Children and implemented in partnership with MEDPAK association, University of Bologna, Elbasan and Korca,  and in cooperation with the Municipalities of Elbasan and Korca. 

Through this project we are Improving and providing access to care, development, learning and education for all children 0-6 years old, with special focus on children with disabilities; We are raising the capacities of Primary Health Centers, Education and Social services staff, educators and teachers in creche and kindergartens; We have supported 26 Primary Health Centers with child development monitoring equipment; didactic materials and toys for 5 creches and 4 kindergartens; We are supporting the payment of food for children in need in creches and kindergartens, as well as providing informative sessions for parents and organizing open days in the community. So far, about 3300 children 0-6 years old have benefited from the project implemented in Elbasan Municipality.

For the first time in the region,  in the new creche will be piloted the new Curriculum, which is developed by Save the Children in collaboration with the University of Korca and Elbasan, that will serve to educators to improve the development and learning services for 0-3 year old children. Psychosocial service for children and their families is another new services to be offered for the first time in this creche.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mr. Fabrizio Bucci, Ambassador of Italy, Mr. Nino Merola, Director of the Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation, Mr. Gledian Latatja, Mayor of Elbasan, Ms. Anila Meco, Director of Save the Children, authorities from regional office of education, social service and health, representatives of civil society organizations and parents.

At the end of the ceremony, Save the Children Country Director and the Mayor of Municipality of Elbasan signed the official handover of Creche No.4 and its transfer to the management of the Municipality of Elbasan.