The Institution
Amigos dos Pequeninos
Amigos dos Pequeninos is a non-profit organisation recognised as a Public Interest Body (Pessoa Coletiva de Utilidade Pública). Our main purpose is to promote the personal and social development of children across every area of their growth, so that they can take their full place in society as independent, free and caring people, in the spirit of education for citizenship.
Founded in December 1951 and approved by a charter (Alvará) dated 20 December 1951, published in the Government Gazette (Diário do Governo) on 27/12/1951, our institution was born from the concern of an initial group of four people who, faced with the social and economic hardship of the region, came together to provide food, hygiene care and every other essential to disadvantaged children.
Our Services
Today, the institution runs four social services (respostas sociais) covering different age groups and needs:
Nursery (Creche)
Care and development for children from 4 months to 3 years old, in a safe and stimulating environment.
Pre-school (Jardim de Infância)
Pre-school education for children aged 3 to 6, with a teaching approach centred on each child and their needs.
After-school Centre (C.A.T.L.)
A leisure-time activity centre offering fun and educational activities for children and young people.
I.P.I. Bem Crescer
Early Childhood Intervention, supporting children with special needs and their families.
Other Projects
Alongside its social services, the institution runs projects that broaden its impact on the community:
P.R.A. (Pontes, Raízes e Asas)
A Local Social Development Contract (CLDS) project that promotes social inclusion and community development across the Silves area.
Vitality
A therapy centre offering health and wellbeing services, including specialised therapies for children, young people and adults.
Extracurricular Activities
Beyond its social services, the institution offers a range of extracurricular activities that support each child's all-round development:
- English
- Gymnastics
- Water Confidence (Adaptação ao Meio Aquático)
- Yoga
- Capoeira
- Karate
- Talking Through Play (Falar a Brincar)
- Development Through Movement
The Utopia Project
The institution is a pioneer in the Algarve with the Utopia Project, a place supporting the mental health of children, adolescents and adults. This ambitious project includes the creation of maximum-support residential units, with a total capacity of 36 residents, in partnership with Instituto Piaget and Silves Municipal Council (Câmara Municipal de Silves), funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).