Founding
The Day Care Centre “Ta Mellissakia” was created and operates with co-funding from the EEU, within the framework of the Southern Aegean Incentive 2000-2006: 75% of the funding coming from the European Community Fund and 25% from the Greek Government. Since the Centre became operational a substantial portion of the 25% is contributed by the City of Paros.
Function
As of January 26th, 2006 the Centre had been in operation for two years. Initially the Centre provided care for 15 infants and 25 pre-school children. During its second year of operation the Centre reached the maximum number of children provided for by its charter.
Organisational Chart
The Centre operates under the auspices of ΔΕΠΑΠ (the Municipal Organisation for the Cultural Development of Paros). It employs seven permanent staff members: the Director (a pre-school educator), 3 infant care specialists, 2 custodians responsible for cleaning and hygiene and one cook.
Purpose and Aim
The purpose and aim for the founding of the Centre was to provide an invaluable service to the working mothers of the city, by offering supervision, care and feeding, and educational activities to their children. In that respect the Centre is performing a social service by supporting the efforts of working parents.
Educational Activities
For all of the pre-school aged children enrolled at the centre the focus is on providing for their psychosomatic health and their psychokinetic development. This is achieved through the application of individual as well as group programmes designed in accord to the various ages of the children enrolled. The infants are provided with care designed to meet all of their personal needs (hygiene, nutrition and companionship).
Additional Services
Aside from the above mentioned the staff of the Centre, on their own incentive, offers the children additional services and activities such as:
– Excursions (to the Archaeological Museum, the olive mill, Ekatondapyliani and others)
– Regular visits to the Centre by a psychologist, a dentist and a paediatrician thus providing in the best possible way for the health and happiness of the children enrolled.