«Aren’t our children just like the others?»: Parents in Balovne demand kindergarten reopening

A kindergarten in Balovne that has been out of operation for several years. Photo: Roman Volynskyi

The kindergarten in Balovne, Mykolaiv region, has been closed for four years in a row. Even after the installation of a modular shelter in 2023, the institution was not reopened. Today, preschoolers study online.

This was reported by parents and local authorities, according to «Suspilne».

Before the full-scale invasion, about 70 children attended the kindergarten. Currently, 34 children are studying remotely, said Svitlana Garkusha, the director of the institution.

A kindergarten in Balovne that has been closed for several years. Photo: Roman Volynskyi

A kindergarten in Balovne that has been out of operation for several years. Photo: Roman Volynskyi

The Kostiantynivska Hromada has eight pre-school education institutions, but only the kindergarten in Balovne operates remotely. It does not have a basement, which could be used to equip the simplest shelter.

According to the village head Anton Payentko, the modular concrete shelter installed in 2023 met all the standards and had the relevant approvals from the authorities. However, in 2024, the requirements changed, and now the structure is not suitable for use.

«At that time, these buildings fully met all the requirements of DSTU and DBN. They passed the tests: there was a conclusion that this structure could be used as the simplest shelter. Moreover, it was agreed with the Ministry of Education and the State Emergency Service. But for some reason, in 2024, these structures are no longer subject to the same SES requirements,» complains Anton Payenko.

A shelter in a kindergarten in Balovne that has not been opened. Photo: Roman Volynskyi

A shelter in a kindergarten in Balovne that was never opened. Photo: Roman Volynskyi

As an alternative, parents were offered to take their children to the kindergarten in Kostiantynivka by school bus.

«There are all the conditions, there are two groups, and these children could study in one of the groups. But for some reason, the parents refused. I think it may take some more time before we get to the point where we will bring the children here to us,» the village head is convinced.

The families refused because they would like to take their children to Mykolaiv or Matviivka, but the community does not provide transport.

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«Our parents tried to ask the head to return our Balovne school bus to us. We would refuel it, we would drive it. And we were told: «No, this bus takes children to Nova Odesa. So our children are not the same children!» says Iryna.

Parents emphasise that kindergarten is necessary not only for education, but also for the socialisation of children.

«We really need the kindergarten now, because children want to socialise. I think that during these even 4 hours, the children received some knowledge. I mean, the teachers taught them something, told them about something, maybe there would have been some speech therapy sessions.»

Kateryna brings her two-year-old son to the playground, but the boy has almost no one to play with.

«We come to the playground, there are no children, there is no such communication with small children. There is no access to a kindergarten in the village, although it is spacious, large, and has teachers. There is everything for this, but the shelter does not meet safety standards,» said Kateryna.

Another resident, Oksana, believes that the money was wasted on the modular shelter.

«I am very angry because the money was wasted. The children have been staying at home for two years now, and the issues are not being resolved. It seems like we are banging our heads against the wall. There is a shelter, but the kindergarten is not working. Well, it's not right. Where have the funds gone? Who will bear the responsibility for the fact that it is no longer suitable,» said Oksana.

Currently, the village council is preparing new design and estimate documentation and is looking for donors to build a full-fledged shelter.

Earlier it was reported that in Mykolaiv, police launched an investigation into a closed shelter that teenagers could not get into during the air raid.