We help migrants and refugees build life in Poland

Daycare Centers for Migrant Children in Poland

Description

The Ocalenie Foundation has been a prominent player in the Polish NGO sector for over 20 years, consistently providing support to migrants and refugees in nearly every aspect of their lives. This includes assisting with basic interactions with authorities, addressing housing challenges, offering legal, career, and psychological counseling, as well as providing Polish language courses and tutoring for children.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 dramatically reshaped the migration landscape in Poland. With funding from international NGOs and EU government sources, Ocalenie significantly expanded its operations to meet the growing needs of Ukrainians fleeing war.

Challenge

Even though migrants in Poland continue to face urgent needs, not only for integration but also for broader support, major donors tend to pull back after the initial two years of a conflict. This financial pressure poses a serious risk to one crucial aspect of the Foundation’s work - the daycare centers for migrant children.

Children, particularly those from Ukraine, face significant challenges such as sudden displacement from their homes, families, and communities, instability, feelings of alienation, stress, language barriers, limited school integration, financial struggles, inadequate housing, and digital exclusion. In this context, providing day care is essential for their overall development and integration.

Our Response to the Challenge

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ocalenie Foundation launched several initiatives to protect and support children fleeing the war. Currently, our intervention efforts focus on temporary day care centers in Warsaw, which serve both educational and integration purposes. These centers offer a space where children can play, develop skills, and explore their interests while receiving support in Polish language learning.

Key features of the Foundation’s day care centers include:

• Multilingual staff and volunteers
• Polish language classes (10 hours per week, divided into age groups)
• Artistic workshops (5 hours per week)
• Individual homework assistance
• Psychological and speech therapy for children and families
• Emotional development programs
• Additional activities such as outings, half-day camps, and themed events

These centers provide a safe space for learning, growth, and enjoyment, allowing children to develop socially, emotionally, and educationally. For parents, they offer essential childcare support, enabling them to pursue work or rest.

By supporting the child, we often get to know the entire family, usually the mother. Every family’s story is unique and complex, with each child having different needs. Our caregivers frequently encounter situations where mothers bring their children to daycare, and the children are reluctant to stay. In such cases, we encourage mothers to take advantage of our comprehensive range of services—including psychological, legal, and language support—to help both themselves and their children adjust to the new situation.

Current Situation

Due to recent financial challenges, we have been forced to scale back some operations, leaving just one daycare center in Warsaw, which has been running since 2022. In the second half of the year, we plan to open a new center in Warsaw and introduce additional educational programs for younger children in Łódź.

Summary

Daycare centers for migrant and refugee children in Poland play a vital role in their education and integration, while also providing peace of mind for parents. These centers offer a safe, supportive environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. Despite the financial pressures, the Ocalenie Foundation remains committed to ensuring that these services continue in the long term, offering crucial support to migrant children and their families.