Kėdainiai Kindergarten "Puriena" has applied for this project in order to become a learning organisation that aims to meet the higher quality requirements of European education and to meet the main long-term objectives of internationalisation: to improve the knowledge of the English language and its practical application; develop intercultural communication and cooperation competences and professional motivation; get acquainted with the educational activities of other pre-schools in the international context, different educational methods and tools, adopt and transfer their good practices; enhance existing international partnerships and look for new opportunities for cooperation, participate in international projects, initiate and organise international activities; promote international mobility of the staff by involving new teachers without international experience, in order to provide professional experience and to improve intercultural awareness. Participation in this project is very useful and relevant as it contributes to the professional development of staff and managers of the institution and to the promotion of lifelong learning through the development of innovative and practical skills.
Nowadays international cooperation and cultural awareness have become an integral part of our education and professional development. The rapid development of cooperation with EU institutions and interpersonal relationships brings out the need to take part in international activities. Due to various geopolitical changes, there are also an increasing number of children coming from mixed-culture families, or who have been granted temporary asylum as a result of the current situation in Eastern Europe. Therefore, the teachers and administration must be able to understand the changing environment, make appropriate responses, and choose the right educational methods and activities. Before taking part in this project, our nursery-kindergarten faced two major challenges – lack of confidence while communicating English and insufficient experience of intercultural communication. So, the participation in this project was expected to improve the general, professional and intercultural competences of the pedagogical and administrative staff of the institution. It was also expected to help to meet the challenges of the modernizing society by acquiring the knowledge and experience of foreign institutions, as well as taking over their good practice. The knowledge and competences acquired by the teachers are important for the project participants, the institution and, most importantly, for our pupils.