Soon, starting from March, the students and doctoral students of Wroclaw University of Technology who have children aged 1-3 will be able to leave them in the club and go to important lectures or a meeting with the promoter. The mSzkrab will start functioning — a daily children's club.
It is the first such place in the city, created at the university.
"The club was created for student parents who do not have anyone take care of the child, and they have to go to the exam, see the promoter or go to the dean's office," says Marika Adamska, the coordinator of mSzkrab project from Manus Foundation.
The idea of creating such an institution was conceived in 2010, during the visit of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and student government representatives in Dresden. In the dorm they saw a place where students could leave their children for some time under the care of child minders and they decided to create a similar place in Wroclaw. Intensive preparations took more than two years.
"The most important was a good-sized locale, which was provided by the university, which also decided to take care of the renovation and provided some of the equipment for the kitchens and bathrooms. We took on the task of collecting toys, folding beds, potties, bedding, etc. Things that are essential for the functioning of the children's club," emphasises Marika Adamska.
The club is located on the ground floor of the dorm (where the students live with their children) of the University of Technology at Górnickiego street. It has an area of 300 square metres and there are two large rooms designed for play and rest, a kitchen, a dining room, bathrooms, a social room, and a storeroom. At the moment the final acceptances from the contractor are in progress, as well as complementing the rest of the fittings, i.e. bedding and toys. The latter are needed most, especially the building blocks, art equipment and educational games. Then the facility will be declared at the Municipal Office (Urząd Miejski).
The students will be able to leave their children in the club three times a week for a maximum of five hours. Of course at a date which suits them, but it will have to be reserved a week earlier, because of the need of providing the child with food (catering) and the number of carers (6-7 of them).
When the club is open, it will accommodate up to 24 children. "There is a great interest about the club," admits Manus Foundation.
The fees for leaving a child in the club aren't known yet, but Marika Adamska assures they won't be high. The parents will have a possibility to buy cheaper carnets.
A valid student or doctoral identity card is essential in order to benefit from the service. One also has to register on the mszkrab.manus.pl website (it will start working soon) and sign an agreement. From that moment the parents may leave the child in the club after choosing the date in advance.
Eliza Głowicka
