Vyšehrad Monsters

Vyšehrad Monsters is a great preschool with great teachers, if you want your kids to be outdoors as much as possible and learn English in a natural way, this is a perfect place!

Honestly, I wouldn't even give this organisation any stars. My time as a volunteer on an Erasmus plus programme summer camp was dreadful. The management team for this organisation, is simply rude and neglectful. I advocated on behalf of the other volunteers aged between 19-21, I am 25. When I explained about what we were been faced with at our accommodation. The Vysehrad Monsters managers (both Baru's - one of which has left a review below about this organisation) the woman with the red hair was hostile and aggressive towards me, she said in other words we "had to put up or shut up with what we had been given, it's too short notice." On arrival, we were informed by a USA nursery worker mentioned for us not to broach any topics on politics or history because Baru (ginger hair) had very strong beliefs and attitudes, (it was a touchy subject) regarding how her country had been taken advantage of by the US and British government and undergone hardship. A few of the volunteers and myself said, "okay we understand but surely as an organisation you should embrace other peoples opinions? general conversation is a normal way for people to express themselves". Personally, this made no sense to me. How can you recruit international volunteers, if you have distorted views and hold personal grudges as a whole against particular countries and the citizens of those countries? Everyone has been through war and hardship in the world, many generations of families have suffered across the world. I can empathise with the political upheavel your country may of endured, however, in terms of being a manager representing an organisation, such attitudes and views should be left outside the work place. I felt like alot of the time the managers were put on a pedal stool and every worker looked upto them for approval and appraisal. Which for me, was too hierarchical and made my time 'volunteering' for this organisation very uncomfortable. I am a firm believer in equality, show respect where respect is given. I was never raised to put up with feeling used or taken advantage of. I believe strong management should be open to constructive feedback, this organisation is defensive and ignores people's opinions which may go against their own. They recruit volunteers from overseas to come and help out with the children, on the surface it sounds inclusive, however, our accomodation which they had arranged and provided, had unsanitary living conditions and we situated in dismissal/ isolated area of Prague. The managers took a holiday on the first 2 weeks I arrived, which meant on some occasions I was left with another nursery worker to manage the children afternoon routine alone. I felt very out of my depth and the other worker spoke very little English. At times it felt like I was simply filling in for the managers and other staff, there was NO structure for professional development in place for the volunteers, I felt. Within 3 weeks of volunteering there I never received a supervision, which they had advertised would of be available. I heavily relied on the Leeds Beckett University project officer to support me with my emotional wellbeing. The Erammus + youth pass which all volunteers should of been given and helped in applying for whilst in Prague, was left down to the UK volunteers to fill out and deal with on our return to the UK. On the surface, this organisation looks clean and child friendly. However, the way they treat English volunteers (who are opinated, confident and strong willed) is to neglect and bully them into not feeling welcomed or respected. Out of the 4 volunteers only 1 person enjoyed their time in Prague, this was the feedback from our senior project officer at Leeds Beckett. I think that speaks for itself, this was the worst voluntary experience I have ever been apart of. Thankyou to all the parents who gave positive feedback about my engagement with their children, it was truly an honour to meet and work with such delightful children. Without, you guys and your payments this organisation wouldn't stay afloat.

Vysehrad Monsters is simply the best English preschool in Prague. The teachers are extremely good, and the kids love the outdoor programmes. Highly recommended.