Czech preschools expect quite a high level of cooperation from the parents — they expect parents to be independent during the daily schedule and get information, take part in seasonal events in preschool, provide material help (financial contribution to buy hygienic products — toilet paper, tissues etc.). Many preschools have a parent association which takes care of the preschool premises (yard work, Christmas decorations etc.) and community development.
- Most preschools have a notice board where they display all of the relevant information about the preschool calendar, field trips dates and a list of after school activities. If there is a notice board in your preschool it is important you continuously read it.
- Most preschools communicate with parents via email or a special application (LYFLE, NAŠE MŠ, Twigsee, Webooker, Správa MŠ etc.). If your preschool uses such an application make sure to ask your teacher at the beginning of the year to show you how the application works, where you can submit your child’s absences, where you can upload/download pictures. Most applications only have a Czech version but it is fairly easy to use them. Do not hesitate to ask the educational staff in case you need help with anything. Most preschools do not have Whatsapp or Viber groups for parents.
Most preschools offer voluntary after school activities (kroužek). Children need to specifically sign up to these activities. They are either organized by the preschool teachers (e.g. pottery, singing, yoga) or in cooperation with other organizations or external teachers. Parents need to pay for after school activities separately (from preschool tuition and food allowance), the price differs depending on the particular activity. You can find a list of preschools, search by location here:
Preschools in the Czech Republic use different kinds of pedagogical approaches. Montessori or Waldorf preschools are very popular. Open-air preschools are also numerous — they put emphasis on forest pedagogy, children spend most of the time outdoors all year-long and there is a wooden house or a tent instead of a regular building.
Similar information, advice and tips can be found on the website Inkluzivniskola.cz.