The Turkestan region is one of the leading regions in the country in terms of birth rates and the number of large families. The persistent positive demographic growth worsens the acute shortage of kindergartens and schools. The regional authorities are trying to reduce the educational facilities deficit both by their own efforts and by attracting private business.
Rabiga Kanybekova, a businesswoman, decided to invest in the construction of a socially significant project for the region in the city of Turkestan. At the beginning of 2023, the entrepreneur took out a loan for the construction of a kindergarten at JSC "Nurbank" under the "SME Business" product within the framework of the "National Project for Entrepreneurship Development for 2021-2025." The construction of the facility was carried out at an accelerated pace, and by the end of 2023, the Tomiris kindergarten opened its doors to its young visitors.
— Rabiga Shopanovna, you opened a new kindergarten at the end of last year. Tell us more about the conditions created in the institution.
— The multifunctional kindergarten "Tomiris" has been operating since December 2023. The kindergarten is located in a new building that was constructed in 2023, adhering to all technical design norms for the construction of kindergartens. Separate rooms for sleeping, playing, learning, a sports room, a salt mine, an assembly hall, and separate restrooms for children and staff are organized here.
The design of our bright and warm classrooms was developed in collaboration with a psychologist for the comfortable and cozy development of children. And to make it more interesting and fun for our young pupils to learn and develop their inherent talents, the classrooms are equipped with a large number of diverse educational toys and books. High-qualified teachers, methodologists, nannies, as well as our own speech therapist and choreographer work with the children.
To ensure that our children get sick less and strengthen their health, we have organized regular visits to our salt mine, which is also located in the kindergarten building.
Child safety is our top priority, so surveillance cameras are on 24/7, capturing every step of the children within the kindergarten and giving parents the opportunity to see how their children spend their day. For the convenience of busy parents, a shuttle service is organized.
— What motivated you to open a private kindergarten?
— I first thought about opening my own private kindergarten when there arose a need to choose a kindergarten for our grandchildren. Every parent knows how difficult it is to find the right kindergarten because many factors must be considered: the location of the institution, its staff, the educational program, nutrition, etc.
When choosing a kindergarten for my grandchildren, I thoroughly studied the market of preschool educational institutions in the city and came to the disappointing conclusion that the queue in public kindergartens sometimes moves not as quickly as we expect, and the prices in good private kindergartens are not affordable for every average resident. Then I was convinced that I need to open my own kindergarten that will meet all the safety and comprehensive development requirements for children, and, importantly, the payment for attending the institution will be affordable.
— Does your kindergarten cooperate with the Education Department of Turkestan city within the framework of the state order for preschool education and training?
— Yes, our kindergarten cooperates with the Education Department of Turkestan city within the framework of the state order. Currently, we are awaiting a decision based on which, within the framework of the state order, services will be provided to 75 preschool-aged children.
— How did you choose the location for the construction of the kindergarten?
— Our kindergarten is located in a new neighborhood where mostly young families live, who need kindergarten services. The neighborhood was formed as a result of the growth of Turkestan due to the relocation of the regional center.
— How many children are currently enrolled in your kindergarten?
— The kindergarten is designed for 150 places — 6 groups of 25 people each. To introduce parents from nearby areas to our kindergarten, we organized an open day. We conducted a tour of the building for guests, and our teachers answered questions and familiarized visitors with the extensive educational program. Parents are pleasantly surprised by the conditions created in the kindergarten, and literally from the day of opening, we began accepting our first pupils and currently, our kindergarten is attended by 75 children.
— How do your pupils eat in kindergarten?
— We have developed a ten-day menu that includes dishes with the necessary amount of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for the full growth and development of a child's body. At the same time, to instill healthy eating habits in children, we also have conversations with parents so that the regimen of proper and healthy nutrition is maintained at home. Our kindergarten is attended by children aged 1 to 5 years. Accordingly, we adjust our menu according to the needs of their age group. Also, when enrolling in kindergarten, parents fill out a questionnaire and indicate any food allergies their children may have and any medical dietary recommendations if they exist, so that we can consider these facts in the future and develop an individual diet for them.
— What is the principle for selecting the kindergarten staff?
— The kindergarten staff includes 16 employees. Currently, we have 3 educators, 3 nannies, a methodologist, a cook, a nurse, a psychologist, a speech therapist, a choreographer, administrative staff, a security guard, and a driver. The main criteria for hiring teaching staff are having a higher education diploma, work experience in preschool institutions, expertise, and the ability to establish contact with children.
Educators are a special category of people. Agree, it is not easy to cope with your own boisterous children, and to educate and find an approach to 25 children, you need to be not only a professional in your field but also have a calling for this important profession in society.
I can confidently say that our staff makes every effort to make the kindergarten a second home for our pupils, a place where they will be eager to rush to in the morning. Thanks to the professionalism and teamwork of our staff, a favorable atmosphere is created in the kindergarten to unlock each child's potential.
— What funds were used to build the kindergarten?
— The kindergarten building was constructed and put into operation in 2023 as part of the State Program "National Project for Entrepreneurship Development for 2021-2025." Nurbank JSC provided financial support for the construction of a strategically important object for our region.
— Tell us about your cooperation with Nurbank. Why did you choose this particular bank?
— Our cooperation with Nurbank began over five years ago, and it was a deliberate choice based on several factors. Firstly, over its 30-year activity in the financial market, Nurbank has established itself as a reliable and stable bank that understands client needs and adapts timely to market changes. Secondly, our partnership with Nurbank was established before we sought financing for the kindergarten's construction. Therefore, when there was a need for financing, we turned to Nurbank, seen as a reliable partner. The bank's responsible employees showed a deep understanding of our needs and actively collaborated with us, creating comfortable and effective conditions for financing our project. We are confident that we will continue to maintain trustworthy and fruitful business relationships.
— How difficult is it to build a kindergarten from scratch? What key stages of the construction process can you highlight?
— Implementing any investment project is undoubtedly a challenging process. However, by adhering to all legal requirements and proper planning, a project of any complexity can be implemented. Of course, personal involvement is important — a love for children, the desire to help parents and the state, the ability to organize a professional approach to child-rearing — all these are very close to us. That's why we decided to embark on such a responsible endeavor. And, of course, it is very important to choose a reliable business partner, which Nurbank has proven to be in our cooperation.
Nurbank JSC holds license No. 1.2.15/193 dated February 3, 2020, issued by the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the Regulation and Development of the Financial Market.