The Safe Space Programme at Happiness Kids Kindergarten

Report on the implementation of the comprehensive psychosocial support programme for children “Safe Space” at the Happiness Kids kindergarten (April–August 2025)

The project was implemented with the support of Restart Foundation in cooperation with the NGO “Words Help” and the Mental Health Centre of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. This page summarises the programme’s purpose, how it was conducted, and key changes for children, parents, educators and interns. You can find the full report attached.

Download the full report (PDF)

Participants: 78 total (24 children, 38 parents, 12 teachers, 2 directors, 2 interns)
Duration: 4 months of weekly group work (Apr–Aug 2025)
ERC Change: 48% improved emotional regulation; 52% improved emotional stability
Parent engagement: 7 group meetings; 85% positive feedback
Referrals: 1 child referred for psychotherapy; 8 recommended to repeat the programme
Intern development: 2 kindergarten psychologists completed full training + supervision

Why this programme was needed

Between April and August 2025, Kyiv experienced weekly rocket and drone attacks. Nights in shelters, destroyed residential buildings, rising anxiety and caregiver burnout created overwhelming pressure on children and adults. During May alone, 3,973 drones were launched (128 per day); in June — 5,000 (183 per day).

In these circumstances, children struggled with fear, aggression, sleep disturbances, and constant tension. Parents and teachers, also exhausted, often felt unable to support children fully. Safe Space was launched to create a place where children and adults could restore stability, connection and emotional safety.

About the programme

The Safe Space programme, developed by the NaUKMA Mental Health Centre, is a structured psychosocial initiative aimed at strengthening children’s resilience, improving emotional regulation, and supporting caregivers. The programme at Happiness Kids included individual, group and community-level activities.

Children: 12 weekly sessions combining play, movement, creative work, stories, and group rituals to build emotional expression and safety.
Parents: 7 sessions on stress, attachment, difficult behaviour, discussing death, restoring connection, and coping with wartime pressure.
Teachers: seminars on attachment, stress responses, classroom emotional climate, and practical tools after massive attacks.
Interns: full-cycle training + supervision; skills in group facilitation, crisis response, containment, and reflective practice.

Activities

  • Weekly therapeutic groups for children (3 groups × 12 weeks)
  • Group meetings with parents (7 sessions)
  • Attachment seminar for entire staff based on “The Ron Clark Story”
  • Supervision and mentoring for interns
  • Feedback sessions and referrals for specialised help

Project team

  • Supervisor — Oksana Zaleska
  • Mentor — Olena Tkachenko
  • Interns — Svitlana Kosachova, Iryna Zharinova

Reach

Beneficiaries Quantity
Children 24
Parents 38
Educators 12
Kindergarten directors 2
Interns 2

Impact

Children’s emotional regulation: 48% showed measurable improvement; fewer emotional outbursts; reduced physical aggression; more boundary-setting; better peer communication.
Emotional stability: 52% demonstrated fewer emotional swings and improved coping after attacks. Children used grounding and relaxation techniques more confidently.
Parents: 85% reported warmer communication, fewer conflicts, better sleep in children, and more emotional openness; many children began expressing fears and feelings independently.
Educators: increased confidence; more democratic communication style; reduced anxiety; more understanding of child trauma and attachment needs.

“The children became calmer, more open, more sincere. They learned to talk about fear, anger and joy in ways they never did before.”

Download the full report (PDF)