"If they won’t take my child, I'll open my own kindergarten"

In Kyrgyzstan, access to preschool education remains limited. According to the Ministry of Education and Science, in 2023 only 26.4 per cent of children aged 3 to 5 had the opportunity to attend kindergarten. This means that nearly 770,000 children missed out on early education and socialization.

For the parents of children with developmental delays and / or disabilities, the situation is even more challenging. Kindergartens are not always ready to accept these children because they lack the right facilities, specialists, and knowledge. Sometimes, however, personal pain gives rise to something capable of changing an entire system.

"No one was waiting for me": How it all started

"When I tried to enrol my son in kindergarten, nowhere would take him. Not even private kindergartens. It was four years ago, but back then I decided that in my garden there would be equal rights and opportunities for everyone," recalls Aida Kuttubaeva. Her son has cerebral palsy. He smiles, plays, and is curious about the world around him, but for many kindergartens, his diagnosis was seen as an insurmountable barrier.

Aida did not immediately decide to fight. At first, there were despair, tears, and resentment. Then came the question that changed everything: if no kindergarten is ready to welcome my child, maybe I should create a place for him where he can develop to his full potential?

A new programme, a new chance

In 2023, the Government launched the ECE Accelerator initiative, supported by UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic. This initiative has changed the rules for opening kindergartens and admitting children, simplifying the approach to paperwork, and giving women the opportunity to open their own mini kindergartens, right at home.

"I learned about the 'Accelerator' programme from acquaintances. At first, I didn't believe it: that you could open a kindergarten without all the difficulties, such as collecting various papers and permits? Then I signed up for the course and realized that it was for me," says Aida.

Aida completed a three-day, basic training course on how to run a kindergarten, familiarizing herself with management, safety, and hygiene issues. Then there was an in-depth, two-week course on the state programmes "Nariste" and "Balalyk", covering development through play, inclusion, and interaction with parents. The programme and training modules were developed with the support of UNICEF, and the training itself was conducted by the Republican Institute for Professional Teacher Development.

"It wasn't just a case of 'I listened, I forgot.' We read manuals, analysed methodologies, learned methods to observe children's behaviour and needs. My understanding of how to work with children was turned upside down," she recalls.

And so the ‘Kolibri’ kindergarten was born

A month after completing the training, Aida opened her home kindergarten. She named it ‘Kolibri’ (‘Hummingbird’) in honour of the small, fast, and persistent bird.

"At first, it was scary. What if it doesn't work out? What if no one comes? But I decided: even if I only have two children, I will still do it," she recalls.

Now ‘Kolibri’ has 24 children, 3 of whom have disabilities. Aida works with the older group, preparing them for school. She is assisted by a nanny and another teacher. When needed, they engage a speech therapist.

"I will never say to a mother: ‘We can't take your child,'" she says. "Because once, they said that to me. And I know how painful it is."

The kindergarten is full of games, warmth, and attention. Here, children learn together, make friends, and help each other. Inclusion at ‘Kolibri’ is a daily reality, not just a trendy slogan.

Aida believes that the ‘Accelerator’ programme has not just helped the children; it has also helped her on a personal level.

"Before this, I worked in construction. I was a supervisor. I loved children very much, but I was afraid: what if I can't handle it, what if it's not my calling? It turns out—I can handle it. And it's not just a job. It's freedom of expression, creativity, an opportunity to prove myself. It's a small world that you build every day with your soul, and you also gain financial independence."

Aida's story, in her own opinion, is an example of how a Government initiative and UNICEF support were able to change first one life, and then the lives of others.

"I want every woman who is afraid to know: you can start from scratch. The main thing is to believe."