The Biškovec facility of the Varaždin Children's Garden marked 40 years of operation on Thursday. The anniversary was celebrated with a special children's programme, a gathering of current and former staff, and a kindergarten-style lunch and cake.
The 40th anniversary was attended by the Mayor of the City of Varaždin, Dr. Neven Bosilj, the Director of the Department for Social Affairs, Danijela Vusić, the acting head of the Department for Construction and Public Utilities, Martina Cesar-Klemen, the director of the Children's Garden, Helena Vidović, the head of the Biškovec facility, Andreja Parlaj, the director of the 3rd Primary School, Anica Vragović, and retired and current staff.
Approximately €400,000 was invested in the renovation of the Biškovec building, with additional investments in interior design and equipment. Mayor Neven Bosić stated that the renovation of the kindergarten was completed a little over a month ago, and that the kindergarten has now been fully renovated, both energetically and internally. He highlighted that new playgrounds have been purchased, more are on the way, and that all playgrounds in the outdoor area have not yet arrived.
The renovation included the complete replacement of the external windows, and modern heat recovery ventilators were installed. The building moved from a class E to an A+ class energy rating, with energy savings of over 60 per cent achieved in energy consumption. The mayor announced that investment in Varaždin's kindergartens would continue, noting that work on the extension of the kindergarten in Gortanova Street was progressing, and that the city was preparing for the extension of the building in Dravska Street. The aim is to welcome the new school year with capacity that should be sufficient for the needs of pre-school children in Varaždin.
The head of the Biškovec facility, Andreja Parlaj, thanked the city for the significant investment in their facility over the past year. She stated that they had received a beautiful shell in which pearls reside. She also thanked the former staff who had paved the way for the Biškovec facility, as well as the current colleagues, the director, and the expert team of the Children's Garden.
Biškovec is one of nine facilities of the Varaždin Children's Garden and is one of the smallest. Currently, 42 children are enrolled, distributed across two mixed groups, aged three to five and five to seven. The director of the Children's Garden, Helena Vidović, highlighted that the Biškovec facility has been systematically invested in. Last year, equipment for the development of children's motor skills and socio-emotional development was purchased through projects funded by the Ministry, and this year an energy renovation of the building was carried out.
Vidović stated that the Biškovec facility was almost ready, with two new playgrounds that have already been ordered and will be installed soon. According to her, there are still a few minor details, such as the renovation of the floors and the dining table, for which she hopes the issues will be resolved within a year. The further development of the facility could also include a new nursery group, and the Children's Garden highlights that there is a need for this in the area. Parents with children of nursery age are currently most likely to use the facilities in the Alley or in Kozarčeva Street.
