Third study visit: Nursery and Preschool of the Fondazione Ferrero in Alba, Italy
14/08/2024
On 19th, 20th and 21st of June 2024 the representative and principals and coordinator of the partnering institutions: Francesca Delkić for the Talijanski dječji vrtić Fregola Buje – Scuola d'infanzia italiana Fregola Buie, Arianna Doz for Dječji vrtić Suncokret Cittanova – Scuola dell'infanzia Girasole Novigrad and Cheyenne Benvegnù for Or.s.a Società Cooperativa Sociale- Nido D’infanzia interaziendale: “I cuccioli della scienza” La Sissa dei piccoli Trieste visited the Kindergarten of the University of Bicocca (Milan, Italy) as the third and last preschool institution selected in Italy for the study visits.
The Bambini Bicocca Nursery is a corporate daycare center promoted by the University of Milan-Bicocca in collaboration with Pirelli. It was established through an agreement with the Municipality of Milan, which provided the building in exchange for reserving a quota of places for children from the neighborhood. This experimental nursery is supervised by the Department of Human Sciences for Education "R. Massa" (under the scientific supervision of Professor Susanna Mantovani). It encourages active parental participation and offers children a space where they can achieve early independence, feel secure in an extended and stimulating social environment, and engage in sensory, cognitive, and expressive experiences such as music and early scientific exploration. The nursery also serves as a training laboratory for early childhood education professionals and provides internships for future educators. Additionally, the Bambini Bicocca Nursery has promoted the establishment of a network of Italian university nurseries and participates in international research and training projects.
When you have the chance to visit and observe such a facility, it is easy to notice details that are specifically and exclusively designed for children. Many features related to experimentation and observation stand out. One intriguing aspect that caught the principal’s attention is the rooms with mirrors, which parents use to observe their children during the adaptation period.