Eyüpsultan: Playtime Workshop (OYSA)

The Playtime Workshop (OYSA) consists of a strategic, data-driven social service initiative launched by the Eyüpsultan Municipality in July 2025 to democratize access to early childhood development and to foster gender equality by providing mothers with free and reliable childcare opportunities. By transforming a room within municipal vocational centers (ESMEK) and youth houses into vibrant, safe, and pedagogically equipped play hubs, the practice provides essential learning opportunities for children aged 2–6, particularly in socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods where childcare services are in high demand.

The practice operates through a robust multidisciplinary ecosystem led by the Social Services Directorate. Coordination is achieved through a clear division of labor: the Child Services Unit develops pedagogical content, the Directorate of Operations oversees the interior fit-out and high-quality furnishing of play areas, and the Press and Public Relations Department ensures transparent community engagement through digital application systems. This integrated approach ensures that the project is not an isolated activity but a central pillar of the municipality's inclusive social support strategy.

Methodologically, the practice is tailored to developmental stages. For the 2–3 age group, the program focuses on parent–child interaction to foster secure attachment and shared learning. For children aged 4–6, the workshops provide expert-facilitated, independent sessions designed to enhance social, emotional, and cognitive skills, preparing them for formal education. To date, 909 children have benefited from this initiative. Beyond the numbers, the practice serves as a catalyst for gender equality; by providing reliable, free-of-charge childcare, it directly supports the municipality's Social Municipalism goals. Through OYSA services, socially excluded and isolated (marginalized) women are encouraged to actively participate in social life; therefore, the OYSA service represents an important example of social inclusion. OYSA stands as a scalable, high-impact model of "Good Governance" that demonstrates how local administrations can institutionalize participatory democracy and social equity, serving as a replicable blueprint for other municipalities aiming to strengthen their community infrastructure and child rights policies.

Learn more about it: https://www.eyupsultan.bel.tr/tr/main/news/oysa-oyun-saati-atolyesi-ile-minikler-hem-o/18332