The project aimed to support kindergarten and nursery teachers by strengthening their mental well-being, resilience and professional skills. Teachers face high levels of stress, emotional demands and undervaluation, as well as difficulties in communicating with parents, which affects their motivation and the quality of education. The project gave them practical tools and knowledge to deal with these challenges. We focused on 3 key areas: Building mental well-being and resilience - we introduced strategies and 6 methodologies to support their well-being. Strengthening competencies by equipping them with practical skills and resources, we have tried to increase their self-confidence and job satisfaction. Improving teacher-parent relationships is often a challenge - we have developed training materials and a guide to help teachers establish clear, respectful communication. We have created a manual on mental well-being, multimedia resources and a campaign to improve the social image of kindergarten teachers, to make them feel appreciated, resilient and better prepared to carry out their profession.
The "Wellbeing at Kinder" project addressed the growing challenges faced by preschool and nursery teachers, particularly regarding mental health, well-being, and job satisfaction. Early childhood educators often experience stress, burnout, and lack of recognition, which impacts their motivation and the quality of care they provide. Key identified needs included: - High stress levels and burnout due to emotional exhaustion and increasing social expectations. - The impact of COVID-19, which worsened mental health issues and weakened social bonds. - Lack of psychological support and resilience training, essential for maintaining motivation. - Challenges in teacher-parent communication, often hindered by growing parental expectations. - Low public perception of preschool educators, highlighting the need to enhance their social status and professional image. By tackling these issues, the project improved the well-being of teachers, ultimately enhancing the quality of early childhood education, in line with EU priorities.