Kotayk is situated about fifteen kilometres north of Yerevan, the Armenian capital. The plot of land measures about six hectares and was given to SOS Children's Villages by the local authorities free of charge. It is perfectly integrated into the public supply system.
SOS Children's Village Kotayk consists of twelve family houses, an SOS-Kindergarten, a house for the village director, an administration and service area and a workshop. In spring 1998, an Armenian artist decorated some of the family houses together with the children. The children participated enthusiastically and since then, colourful paintings cover the walls of the plain and unadorned pre-fabricated houses. The themes of the paintings are "1,700 years of Christianity in Armenia" and "50 years of SOS Children's Villages".
The adjoining SOS Kindergarten comprises five group rooms, a multipurpose room, a room for gymnastics and a small kitchen, and has a capacity for up to 100 children. The SOS Kindergarten has an excellent reputation, proven every year by the high demand for places for children from neighbouring community and even those from the city of Yerevan. Music and painting classes are offered, as well as language courses. In order to offer special assistance to poor families, it was decided to only charge them a symbolic kindergarten fee. Additionally, an SOS Youth Facility was set up in the city of Yerevan for the youths who have outgrown the SOS Children's Village. The youths stay there during their vocational training or further education and prepare for an independent life under the guidance of their youth leaders. They are looked after until they are able to live on their own.
The family strengthening programme offers access to essential services for children’s development (eg. educational, nutritional and health support, social skills) and supports families to protect and care for their children. The programme also aims at linking families with income generating activities and offers help to improve the parents’ parenting skills.