The Summer Kindergarten program aims to increase the access to education and the enrolment in first grade of the children coming from disadvantaged communities, mainly Roma. In 2009, the program was carried out in 12 communities of Bihor County: Alesd, Tamasda, Ciumeghiu, Vasad, Gepis, Lugasul de Jos, Salonta, Sannicolau de Munte, Batar, Telechiu, Osorhei and Beznea. The Summer Kindergarten was organized in the period 3-28 August 2009, following a curricula adopted by the School Inspectorate of Bihor County, by direct involvement of the local human resources: educators, community facilitators, assistant educators. The educators, together with all the human resources involved, have benefited of a training sessions held by the team of Ruhama Foundation and specialists from the School Inspectorate of Bihor County, in July.

The local town halls have been invited to participate in organizing and implementing the program, by financing the acquisitions of daily meals for children in summer kindergarten. Seven town halls from 12 succeeded to get involve by financing entirely or partially the Summer Kindergarten program. The town halls of Osorhei and Bratca financed entirely the program, covering all the costs involved: the payment of the educator and assistant educator, the teaching materials, the daily meals of the children.

A major role in the Summer Kindergarten program was played by a volunteer, the actor and director of puppet theatre Maria Mierlut. Together with the puppet Raspberry, she visited twice each summer kindergarten to motivate children to enrol in first grade, to participate in school and to become aware of their personal hygiene. These activities of the volunteer have been greatly appreciated both by the children and the educators involved in the program. Also, an important role was played by the youngsters from the Roma Youth Forum, who presented their own successes as best practices, encouraged the children with motivational speeches and got involved in gaming and socializing activities of the children.

In quantitative terms, 274 children participated in this program; 158 children of the 274 that graduated the summer kindergartens and had ages between 6 and 9 years have been enrolled in first grade in September 2009; 15 educators involved; 12 young Roma involved as assistant educators; 30% of the costs involved by the summer kindergartens were supported by the Local Councils. The basic funding was supported by the Roma Education Fund, within the project „Roma Education Centre. Developing and promoting inclusive and sustainable educational programs for Roma children through integrated community efforts”, a program designed to improve the access to education for Roma children of Bihor County, implemented by Ruhama Foundation in partnership with the School Inspectorate of Bihor County and the University of Oradea - Faculty of Social Sciences.