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Marijampolės vaikų lopšelis-darželis

Lithuania 🇱🇹
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Marijampolė Kindergarten is a modern, flexible, and multifaceted early childhood education institution dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of children and families. Established on June 1, 2024, it was formed through the merger of 12 kindergartens into a unified organization with 12 branches: Ąžuoliukas, Nykštukas, Pasaka, Rūta, Rasa, Šaltinėlis, Šypsenėlė, Vaivorykštė, Želmenėliai, Varpelis, Linelis, and the Marijampolė Municipality Patašinė Universal Multifunctional Center.

The institution operates within a clear legal and governance framework and functions as a comprehensive educational hub providing high-quality early childhood, preschool, and pre-primary education. It ensures accessibility, inclusivity, and equal opportunities for all learners. Marijampolė Kindergarten serves 1,972 children, including 1,568 aged 0–5, 404 pre-primary children, 304 children with special educational needs, and 23 children from foreign countries.

A team of 529 staff members ensures high standards of education and care, including early childhood and preschool teachers, teacher assistants, student aides, educational support specialists (psychologists, speech therapists, special educators), non-formal education teachers, and administrative and support personnel.

Marijampolė Kindergarten fosters a stimulating, inclusive learning environment and has strong experience in digital innovation and inclusive education.

The Faces of the Project

Živilė Belickienė
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Audronė Putauskienė
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Birutė Dičiūnienė
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Živilė Belickienė

Živilė Belickienė is an experienced early childhood education professional from Lithuania with over 17 years of work in preschool and non-formal education. She is currently a Non-formal Education Teacher at Marijampolė Kindergarten, where she coordinates cultural activities, develops and implements educational projects, builds partnerships, and supports staff development. Previously, she worked as a Preschool Education Teacher at Marijampolė Nursery–Kindergarten “Rūta” (2007–2024), focusing on child-centered learning and inclusion of children with special educational needs. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education, a preschool teacher qualification, and a Teacher Methodologist qualification, with additional training in Waldorf pedagogy. Živilė has strong experience in Erasmus+, Nordplus, and national projects related to inclusive education, digital innovation, STEAM, and health promotion. Her professional interests include project management, teacher training, inclusive pedagogy, and innovation in early childhood education.

Audronė Putauskienė

Audronė Putauskienė is a highly experienced Lithuanian education professional with over 40 years’ experience in preschool and higher education, social pedagogy, and educational leadership. She currently works as an Educational Assistance Coordinator at Marijampolė Kindergarten and as a lecturer at Marijampolė College. She previously served as Deputy Director of Education at Marijampolė Nursery–Kindergarten “Rūta”, and has extensive experience as a college lecturer, department head, psychologist and educator.

She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work (Social Pedagogy) and is qualified in preschool pedagogy, psychology, and education. She is an expert in play pedagogy, inclusive and pre-primary education, curriculum development, digital innovation, teacher training and social work. She has contributed to national and European projects, authored methodological publications, delivered educator training and participated in Erasmus+ mobility programmes, focusing particularly on inclusive and innovative early childhood education.

Birutė Dičiūnienė

Birutė Dičiūnienė is an experienced educational leader from Lithuania, with over 20 years’ experience in preschool, pre-primary, primary and English language education. She has been Director of Marijampolė Kindergarten since June 2024, having previously served as Director of Marijampolė Nursery–Kindergarten “Vaivorykštė” (2022–2024), where she was responsible for institutional management, staff leadership and external representation. She holds a Master’s degree in Education, specialising in Educational Management, and is qualified to teach in preschools, pre-primary and primary schools, and in English. She has strong expertise in educational leadership, quality assurance, inclusive education, staff development and innovation. She is an active member of national professional associations and is committed to continuous improvement and modern, child-centred educational practices.