Childhood memories are the strongest: the sweetest candy or the worst tears we remember over the years. Quite often those memories are associated with kindergarten, which is the first step in “adult life”. Every child requires care and warm attitude, so preschool workers for the quality of their duties need to have a good professional training and a set of personal qualities, which includes the ability to take care of the kids, the ability to empathize and inspire. Нalyna Shymanska, head of DOW № 39, told Zhytomyr.Travel about the work you love, the achievements of the team and their students

«When I worked as a teacher, my senior mentors said: if you manage to go down to the level of children, you will succeed. Went down and came out of it (Laughs). I love children, I love to contact them, I believe in them. Is the process “believe in the child — give her wings — these wings to see her beautiful, tall, smooth flight” — this is the meaning of my life»

«I never thought that I would work in kindergarten — I saw myself as a primary school teacher. After graduating From Korostyshiv pedagogical College, she entered our Zhytomyr pedagogical Institute, and then worked for three years at school. Life so developed that I came on a little to kindergarten (wanted to be near the son who was ill), and was carried away because it appeared in the elements»

«Three years I worked at school, three years as a teacher, then three years as a Methodist, and in 2001 I became the head of DOW No. 39. When I came to the kindergarten, he was too poor and unknown. People worked well, but were afraid to declare themselves. We saw that we have good inclinations, and began to declare itself: took part in absolutely all actions which were carried out in the city. And I am very pleased that two years in a row-in 2014 and 2015 – we won in the nomination “Best institution of the year”. We have awards of all levels: city, regional, all-Ukrainian»

«March 1, 2019, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary: in 1969, at this time, our University was converted from primary school № 19. I want to make an unforgettable holiday for parents and children, for veterans and those people who put their heart into preschool education, in our kindergarten»

«There are no random people in our team, the team is powerful and competitive. Our teacher in 2013 was the winner of city, regional competitions and became laureate of Ukrainian contest “Teacher of the year”. We presented the experience of the institution at the international forum “innovation in modern education” and were awarded a silver medal. Methodical manual “Universal didactic games for children from 2 to 6 (7) years”, which presents the practical experience of using the author’s games educators institution, approved by the Ministry of education. For this manual works a lot of kindergartens in the country, it is in every methodical study of the region. Now we are preparing for the X international exhibition “Modern educational institutions 2019”, where we will present our own methodological developments»

«When I retire, I will write a book. Chukovskyi’s book “from two to five” is a little outdated – there are many words that can be called archaisms. We have other children now. They keep up with the times, and stories about them can be told endlessly»

«I like to reboot in the nursery. When I get so tired that it seems that I have no strength left for anything, I go to the nursery group… This year all the girls from the nursery dream of becoming ballerinas. I recently showed a girl how to spin. Now all the girls in this group are circling»

«When you need to switch the attention of children, we tell them: “Children, take pictures.” All! The tears are wiped and the children begin to pose: they become both — they know that we will send photos to their mothers on Facebook»

«In 2014, in the Wake of a surge of patriotism, we have developed a wonderful project, through which we introduce children to the city in which they were born. Zhytomyr for kids begins with a kindergarten, and then it expands: here we walk the streets, now we have a whole city in front of us, which has its glorious traditions. Every year we go with children to the monument to Shevchenko, to the tank and the Eternal flame. We have signed an agreement with the Museum of Cosmonautics: together with its employees to the 100th anniversary of this unique location, we have prepared a tour, which is viewed by children from all over Ukraine. We participate in almost all the events held by the Museum of Cosmonautics»

«We wrote a book about outstanding personalities who are directly related to the kindergarten. In this book, stories about cyborgs who defended Ukraine, the life story of Serhii Yakimov, who soon he will fly to Mars and see what’s there. Sergei has been working on himself for many years, on the program — he will be the first to have a ticket to Mars, and he will be the first to report to us about whether there is life on this planet. Maybe we will visit our graduates (laughs). We have a story about Igor Vishnevsky — a former graduate who is now engaged in our garden. Every year pages are added to the book. However, there is a sad page dedicated to the Pope Melchakov glib: dad boy 2014 killed under Stepanskyi, and we now can bathe Gleb in love»

«We also have a guardian of the garden — Tamara Oliinik, who has long been the Chairman of the Regional Council of women…Tamara organized for us an event dedicated to the work of Ivan Slush-gave us his three-volume with the author’s signature. Brought a wonderful Ukrainian towel and told about the Museum of Rushnyk in Adrushevskyi district, where we will go. It expands our horizons – shows Zhytomyr region as a Shrine, which we need to discover»

«I took place as a mother, as a teacher, I think that as a leader (Laughs). I have a good team, because one in the field-not a warrior. You can plan a lot, but the most just do not implement — should be a team. At one time I learned to work in a team and I think I taught others. Child development orders, parents have development. Age from one to seven is the most fertile, and in tandem with parents, we are moving towards a common goal-to raise happy children»

Translated by Aliona Matushevich