Non-public preschool in Grzegórzki
"Pod Gwiazdkami"

My goal was to create a preschool where I would want to send my own child—a place founded on kindness, respect, and partnership, in cooperation with parents and the whole team.

At the center, I place the child’s harmonious development: physical, emotional, social, and cognitive. We care about healthy, simple food, natural materials, limiting plastic, and an aesthetic, calm environment that supports concentration and inner quiet.

The daily rhythm, repetition, adults’ example, and as much time outdoors as possible are all very important. Our garden is a space for free play, observing nature, and building physical and emotional resilience.

We base education on activity, play, and experience. I believe that play is the child’s work—it is through play that they develop cognitive, social, and emotional competencies. Our task is to support children in building self-confidence, the ability to dialogue, cooperation, and responsibility.

I aim for balance—so that intellectual development does not dominate the needs of the body, relationships, and emotions. The preschool period is unique and unrepeatable. We want to give children a solid foundation for further education and life in a changing world.

How it began

For 26 years I have served as a preschool director. Earlier, for many years I worked as a preschool teacher, consistently developing my competencies and seeking the best path in working with children.

I am a graduate of the Pedagogical University of Kraków (Master’s degree in preschool and early childhood education). I deepened my interest in alternative pedagogies at the University of Warsaw, where I completed a three-year program at the Institute of Applied Social Sciences, specializing in Waldorf education.

I also completed studies at the Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology of the Kraków University of Technology, earning the title of Education Manager.

I co-created a pedagogical innovation and the author’s “Integrative Family Group Program.” In 1999, I won the competition for the position of director of Municipal Preschool No. 27 in Kraków. In 2004, after the institution’s transformation process, the Non-Public Preschool “Pod Gwiazdkami” was established, which I have led to this day.

She has been associated with the preschool “Pod Gwiazdkami” since December 2017. She currently works as a group teacher, and previously gained experience as a co-teaching support teacher, supporting children with diverse educational and developmental needs.

She completed pedagogy (preschool education and early childhood education) and social work at Ignatianum University in Kraków. She expanded her qualifications with postgraduate studies in pedagogical therapy with art therapy and in special education in the field of education and therapy for people on the autism spectrum. She is a contract teacher.

In her work with children, creative activity is especially close to her. She gladly uses music-making and elements of drama, which help children express emotions, build confidence, and discover their abilities. She believes that free play is a natural path to learning — it is through experience and relationships that children best come to know the world.

She is inspired by alternative pedagogy trends and communication in the spirit of Nonviolent Communication. In her free time she reads, is interested in anthropology, practices yoga, learns to swim, and most enjoys spending time on walks with her family.

Ms. Magda is a preschool teacher with many years of experience working with children. She treats her work as a passion that brings her great joy and satisfaction.

She has versatile qualifications that enable comprehensive support for children’s development. She is a special educator, a sensory integration (SI) therapist, a social skills training (TUS) coach, a hand therapist, and has training to work with children on the autism spectrum. Thanks to this, she can approach each child individually, noticing both their needs and potential.

In her work, she places special emphasis on relationships, mindfulness, and development through play. She believes that the most valuable gift you can give a child is time and presence. She supports children in acquiring new skills, developing interests, and building confidence, accompanying them in discovering the world.

Privately, she leads an active lifestyle — she is passionate about mountain hikes and travel. She is interested in art and natural medicine, valuing a holistic approach to development and well-being.

Ms. Justyna is a certified teacher with 30 years of experience. From the beginning of her professional path, she has been associated with the same institution, which she treats as a second home and with which she has a strong emotional bond.

She completed preschool education with early childhood teaching and speech therapy, which allows her to comprehensively support children’s development. She gets special satisfaction from the fact that today she can care for the children of her former pupils — she sees this as the most beautiful proof of trust and the meaning of her work.

In her daily work she focuses on calm, patience, and a kind atmosphere. She gladly introduces creative solutions and collaborates with the team to create a place that is safe, inspiring, and full of joy. Working with children is for her not only a profession, but above all a passion and a source of daily satisfaction.

Ms. Krysia is a certified teacher and a graduate of the Pedagogical University in Kraków in Preschool and Early Childhood Education. She has always known that working with the youngest is her place — the choice of her professional path was natural and obvious.

In her daily work she gladly shares her passions with children: music, literature, and theater. Together they read books and discuss them, listen to various music, sing, and play with their voices. As a long-time choir singer she happily weaves vocal elements into everyday activities. She accompanies children on the recorder, kalimba, or ukulele, encouraging creative expression. Dance and para-theatrical games are a constant element of her work, bringing lots of joy and freedom to preschool life.

She continually develops her workshop to support children even better in discovering and developing their passions, and to assist parents. Working with children gives her great satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment.

Ms. Kasia is a certified teacher with many years of experience in preschool education. For over a decade she has supported the development of the youngest, treating her work as a passion and continually seeking new paths of professional improvement.

She completed social care pedagogy with a specialization in pedagogical therapy at the Pedagogical University of the National Education Commission in Kraków (master’s studies). She then obtained qualifications in preschool education (Ignatianum University in Kraków), sensory integration (Higher School of Humanities and Economics in Brzeg), and special pedagogy — education, therapy, and support for people on the autism spectrum (Swietokrzyska Higher School in Kielce). She also completed a qualification course in hand therapy and fine motor disorders, level I and II.

She is especially close to sensory integration, which allows her to better understand children’s needs, especially those experiencing difficulties in everyday functioning. In her work she emphasizes an individual approach, active methods, and lots of movement enriched with sensory elements, believing that it is precisely through movement that the brain develops most effectively.

She draws inspiration and energy from travel, mountain hiking, and contact with nature. She tries to pass on respect for nature and attentiveness to its beauty to children as well, helping them find joy and calm in it.

Ms. Ola has been associated with the preschool “Pod Gwiazdkami” since 2015, when she first appeared here as an intern during her studies. Since 2019 she has worked as a preschool teacher.

She completed studies in pedagogy with a specialization in psychoprophylaxis of disorders and development support, as well as preschool and early childhood pedagogy at the University of the National Education Commission in Kraków.

In her work with children she especially values their natural curiosity about the world and sincerity, which remind her every day of what is truly important in life. Watching her pupils become more independent and discover their first passions gives her great satisfaction and a sense of meaning in her work.

She has always been close to children — even before it became her profession. Already as a child, she naturally took on the role of caring for younger ones, and over time the need to accompany children in their everyday discoveries turned into a conscious choice of her career path.

She completed studies at the Pedagogical University in childcare for ages 0–6, and then a master’s degree in preschool pedagogy. She has systematically expanded her education, treating professional development as a process. She also completed postgraduate studies in special education and in the education and therapy of people on the autism spectrum, which allows her to respond more attentively to children’s diverse needs.

In her work she combines responsibility with a sense of humor and creative energy. She affectionately calls children her “Hens” — and they know perfectly well that this term means closeness, acceptance, and a good relationship. She is with children “for real,” without artificial distance, remembering that she has a little person in front of her.

Theatre holds a special place in her work — both as a passion and a natural form of contact with children. She happily prepares performances, creates sets and costumes, and involves children in the whole creative process. In her daily work she uses drama, movement, and storytelling, believing that it is through action that children most fully express emotions and develop their abilities. She regularly participates in theatre training, including in the field of shadow theatre.

Children are her greatest source of inspiration. Working with them gives her a sense of fulfillment, drives her to act, and brings a lot of joy and satisfaction. At the same time it teaches humility, patience, and attentiveness to another person’s needs. She treats every child’s smile as the most beautiful reward, believing that warmth and kindness shown to children always return doubled. With commitment and care she accompanies the youngest in their everyday discovery of the world.

She is a graduate of master’s studies in Early Childhood and Preschool Education with pedagogical therapy, which provide a solid foundation for her teaching and educational work.

She also completed postgraduate studies in:

• special education — education, therapy, and support for people with autism spectrum disorders,
• pedagogical therapy and diagnosis with elements of art therapy.

The knowledge and competencies she has gained allow her to comprehensively support children’s development, adapt working methods to their individual needs, and create a safe and friendly environment that supports harmonious emotional, social, and cognitive development.