Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka (Pediatrics Clinic)

1. Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka(Pediatrics Clinic) School and Kindergarten in Hospital Alenka Valerjev, prof. Elementary school “Kantrida” Rijeka, 5th. March 2009.

2. Work of school and kindergarten in hospital is based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Republic of Croatia being its signatory • Some of the rights are the basis of our teachers’ work:- every child has a right to respect and inherent dignity - every child has a right to information he/she can understand- every child has a right to emotional support- every child has a right to play and learn- every child has a right to choose and to make decisions

3. CHCR – Pediatrics Clinic (Children’s Hospital) in Rijeka has been a home for school and kindergarten departments for over 60 years (1945.) • Hospital complex is situated in a quiet city area, surrounded by a Mediterranean park • Vast park (1,5 km) is the favourite spot of little patients and their parents

4. School and kindergarten are a part of holistic and multidisciplinary approach of the hospital • We aim at helping every hospitalized child and their parents in overcoming difficulties caused by hospitalization and illness • When possible, we provide opportunities for playing and learning

5. These children do not miss out on regular school curriculum and good social communication is achieved with all age groups • Little patients staying in hospital for a longer period of time (i.e. due to traumas, chronic or malignant diseases etc.) finish the class at our school • Such approach and programmes familiar to children create a feeling of safety and facilitate return to their schools upon recovery

6. School and kindergarten teachers play a large and active role as they organize a number of benefits and cultural events thanks to great support of medical staff. These activities are fun moments for our children, but also help raise public awareness • School is organized according to the programme of Ministry of Science, Education and Sports

7. Teachers work with children in hospital rooms, living rooms and hospital school cabinets (i.e. IT cabinet, school library with more than 1200 titles)

8. Kindergarten teachers use didactic toys and games • when playing with younger children

10. A cabinet and a large playroom within the hospital is at their disposal • School and kindergarten are well-equipped thanks to donations of various charities and City government

12. All these facilities are available to children and their parents • Didactic resources are suitable to children’s needs • In 2006, the Children’s Hospital received a UNICEF International recognition – ‘For a Smile of a Child in Hospital’, as a result of long and extensive education of the whole staff

13. Children from Rijeka, Primorsko-goranska County, Istria, Lika and Dalmatia come to Children’s Hospital • Work of our school and kindergarten, along with their humane approach, has been recognized over the past 60 years in other hospitals in Croatia • Since 2000 a dozen hospital schools have been established • We are a H.O.P.E. member

14. Thank you for your attention…