Community

When we opened our kindergarten in 2004, we knew from the very beginning that we did not want it to be merely a place where children of hard-working parents were left during the day.

There is an African proverb which says that it takes a village to raise a child. We believe this just as strongly today as we did in those first days. A kindergarten should be a place where the whole community – parents, children, and every member of staff – supports each child in developing their unique personality and growing into a responsible, confident, and sociable individual.

The long history of our kindergarten has given rise to deep and cherished traditions. Over the years, Saulės Gojus has built a rich culture of celebrating and commemorating important occasions.

• Community Day marks the birthday of Saulės Gojus in early autumn and brings our entire community together in celebration.
• Our flea markets, organised at least twice a year, are a joyful way of sharing items and giving them a new life.
• Christmas evenings offer families an opportunity to gather, enjoy cosy moments together, and share in the anticipation of the most joyful and luminous time of the year.
• On 13 January, we honour those to whom we are forever grateful for the freedom we enjoy today.
• During Shrove Tuesday, we feast on home-baked pancakes, cheer for Lašininis or Kanapinis, ride in a horse-drawn carriage (if we are lucky enough to have snow), burn Morė, and celebrate in colourful, playful masks.
• On 16 February, we celebrate the birthday of our state with joy and pride. And on 11 March, we mark Lithuania’s second birthday – a wonderful reminder of our history and resilience.
• The end of the school year is traditionally celebrated with our much-loved Fair of Nations and Cultures, a vibrant event that reflects the diversity and openness of our community.

Our informal educational forum, the Knowledge Club, is a space where we share best practice, the latest research findings, and practical insights on child development and human wellbeing more broadly. We also invite distinguished guest speakers – respected experts in their fields whose work and ideas contribute meaningfully to contemporary research and thought in Lithuania.

The Knowledge Club offers a unique opportunity to explore topics that, in one way or another, relate to our children and ourselves. It is a place to reflect on questions that arise while reading an article or watching a programme, and to address the thoughts that sometimes linger in our minds late at night. In short, it is a space to learn about the things we have always wanted to understand – about our children and about ourselves – but perhaps hesitated to ask.