The only "Palace of Childhood" in the world is located in Kiev

Could you imagine a kindergarten that is located in a real palace? These are not the delights of the Middle Ages - such a kindergarten is now fully operational in Kiev. Kindergarten "Eaglet" in the Pechersk district of the capital is considered the oldest kindergarten not only in Ukraine, but also in all post-Soviet countries. Its unique building was created according to a special project and at one time was called the "Palace of Children's Happiness". There is a huge assembly hall with a ceiling height of 6.5 m and a gym with an antique vault. And also - solarium balconies, front stairs and a garden for walking.

Kindergarten for employees of the plant "Arsenal"

The history of the creation of the capital's kindergarten No. 1 originates from a one-room apartment. In 1924, a children's room was created for the employees of the Arsenal plant, in which they could leave the children for the duration of work. At first, only 20 children went there, but over time, the service became more and more popular. Still, because at that time the mother could spend only 56 days on maternity leave after the birth of the baby. For several years, the kindergarten moved out into a multi-room apartment, but there was a catastrophic lack of space. Therefore, in 1937, the plant decided to build a separate room for children.

It was the first kindergarten on the territory of all countries that were then part of the union of Soviet republics. Therefore, its construction was approached with incredible responsibility. The then-famous architect Joseph Karakis was invited to create the project. It was Karakis who came up with the unique appearance of the kindergarten, which resembles either an ancient temple, or a noble estate in the style of late classicism.

A three-story building with a colonnade at the entrance and two symmetrical wings on the sides is located on the slopes of the Dnieper (the current address is Askoldov pereulok, 5). It was painted in a soft blue color, so that visually it seemed to “leave into the sky”. The architect softened the strict, even lines of the building with columns, arches, porticos and stucco. All this splendor was buried in the greenery of trees and flowers.

There were strict requirements for the internal premises for children: for each group they built their own bedroom and game room. Also, each group had access to a solarium balcony, where children could sunbathe in the summer. Initially, the garden was designed for only 140 children, and yet, two dining rooms were designed there. For "mass cultural" events, a large assembly hall with an area of ​​​​140 square meters was equipped. m and a height of 6.5 m. Immediately above it is a gymnasium with an antique vaulted ceiling.

Exemplary Palace of Children's Happiness

In the very first year after the start of work, 220 children were recruited into the kindergarten - half as many as originally planned. It has become an exemplary preschool institution: it has repeatedly taken part in exhibitions of the national economy, and won prizes. All the newspapers and magazines known at that time wrote about the kindergarten, and every mother in Kiev dreamed of getting there with her child. Rumor has it that women specifically tried to get a job at the Arsenal plant in order to provide a future child with a place in the Palace of Children's Happiness.

Over time, other kindergartens began to open in the capital, but all of them were no match for the exemplary Orlyonok. In 1967, a documentary film was even made about this kindergarten, after which the oldest kindergarten in the capital entered a new round of popularity. Only the best teachers and educators were selected for it: according to the memoirs of the pupils of the garden, in the "Eaglet" of those times there was the strongest development program in Kiev and preparing a child for school.

Orlyonok miraculously avoided privatization

In the early 90s, the Palace of Children's Happiness, like many other DNCs across the country, fell into decay. The building was not repaired, and the ancient colonnades and porticos crumbled before our eyes. Under this "silence", the city authorities tried to close the garden, ostensibly for reconstruction, but with plans to re-profil the premises. Then, many activists of the city came out to defend the oldest and best kindergarten in Kiev.

In 2000, "Eaglet" was transferred to the balance of the Pechersky district, it was repaired, new furniture and modern equipment were purchased for canteens, an assembly hall and a gym. However, the city authorities did not stop trying to sell the historic building: in 2009, the garden was secretly put up for auction, and it almost went under the hammer. It was possible to save it thanks to protests from the people of Kiev, the intervention of the prosecutor, local deputies and journalists. The KSCA had to cancel the decision to privatize the building and leave Orlyonok to the children.

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