This is me, under construction!

Kirkjuból preschool in Garðabær was opened in November 1985. It is divided into three departments for 64 children. The oldest children, age 4-5 years are in one department, the 3-4 years old are in another and the youngest children 1 ½ - 3 years in the third.

Kirkjuból emphasizes Respect, Friendship and Kindness.

These terms guide the teachers in their daily work and should be seen in the relationship between children, parents and teachers.

Respect is the foundation of good communication. Respect is reflected in communication, behavior and also in the atmosphere of the school. We want children to learn to respect themselves, gain a positive self-image, show other people respect and take good care of the school environment.

Friendship is highly important and as human beings we are social, we learn from others and with others. Good friends respect each other, help and show tolerance and compassion.

Kindness and affection guide how children and teachers treat each other. We have a positive attitude, a smile, a warm attitude and good relations. It is important that children and staff feel comfortable in the preschool.

The preschools vision is that children have different skills and strengths. They also have different needs and interests that are respected. They all need to feel safe and to feel that they belong in the group. The main focus is on building a learning community in Kirkjuból and to work on the children’s strengths by looking for what they can do and help them in a positive, constructive way with joy in mind.

The philosophy and values ​​of the Icelandic National Curriculum for preschools is what guides Kirkjubóls work. It is based on six fundamental pillars on which the curriculum guidelines are based. These fundamental pillars are:

• literacy,

• sustainability,

• health and welfare,

• democracy and human rights,

• equality,

• creativity .

Each of the fundamental pillars derives from laws on preschool, compulsory school and upper secondary school. The fundamental pillars refer to social, cultural, environmental and ecological literacy so that children and youth may develop mentally and physically, thrive in society and cooperate with others. The fundamental pillars also refer to a vision of the future, ability and will to influence and be active in maintaining society, change it and develop.

Kirkjuból has a quality system based on ISO standards, which ensures professionalism and that employees know what is required of them. The system includes the quality policy of the preschool.

In 2009 it was decided to implement Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences.  According to this theory, children learn through language, logical-mathematical analysis, spatial representation, musical thinking, and the use of the body to solve problems or to make things.