Obra das Mães founded its first nursery on 28 September, 1970 and had it named after St. John, the patron saint of Macao and of Obra das Mães. As a charitable organization dedicated to public’s well-being, its vision is plain and philanthropic: helping children of poverty-stricken families and act in the spirit of benevolence. By then, the nursery was seated at Avenida de Horta e Costa, in a pink colonial-style building provided by the Macao government. It took care of 35 infant children aged under 3 years old. As more and more children were admitted to the nursery over time, the available space and in-house facilities were no longer capable to cope with the escalating demand for child care. The site of the colonial structure is nowadays replaced by a 5-storey building, where the nursery occupies its first three floors with 12 classrooms and its rooftop is used for holding children’s outdoor activities. Since its inauguration on 24 June, 1992, the nursery has 274 aged 3 months to 3 years infant children under its attendance.
Objectives :
Provision of all-round quality service so that infant children can enjoy a healthy development under a well-equipped, happy and beautiful environment.
Targets:
- Facilitate adequate personality development in infant children;
- Guide children to participate in different types of activities through diversified teaching methods;
- Encourage infant children to adapt to collective life and explore their potentials through different activities like games, nursery rhymes and rhythmic movements; develop self-care, basic etiquette, proper habits and conduct in children during daily routines;
- Safeguard the rights and interests of infant children and helping them to develop their interests; enhance creativity and independence of children through diverse activities.
Contents and Area:
· Childcare: provide infants and young children with a package of care that is appropriate to their needs, and ensure they enjoy a sound body and mind in a safe and clean environment;
· Nurturing: develop the potentials of young children through games, nursery rhymes, rhythmic movements and appropriate activities; cultivate their self-care abilities and basic etiquettes through everyday life activities, and instill good habits and morals in them;
· Basic healthcare: perform health check-up, height and weight measurement for young children at regular intervals;
· Meal service: provide fresh fruits, nutritious lunch and afternoon refreshments to ensure young children have a balanced diet;
· Activities: organize activities for parents and the young children at regular intervals;