Our approach to after-school care

Between the ages of four and 12 years, children develop rapidly, each in their own way. For this reason, we give children all the space they need at our after-school care, to allow their talents to flourish. They can make their own choices about their activities, and learn skills for life through play. Our childcare professionals support their development by providing a safe environment in which every child feels seen and can be themselves.

Our approach is also outlined in our childcare vision for after-school care: ‘Wereldwijs’.

Growing through play

“Where talents flourish” is our motto, and for very good reason. At Kindergarden, we believe that children learn most effectively through experience. Not because they have to do things, but because they are allowed to. Learning through play is therefore central to our approach.

Children receive ample space and freedom to move, create or collaborate, or simply not have to do anything. This enables them to discover what they like and what they are good at, whether it's sports, technology, theater, or crafting.

Our activities are tailored to six areas of development:

1. language and speech development 2. social and emotional development
3. cognitive development
4. creative and fantasy development
5. motor development
6. personality development

Room for autonomy

It is in the nature of children to want to grow. That’s why we give children plenty of freedom to make their own choices. We also operate with an open-door policy. The children always have their own group with familiar faces, but they are also allowed to explore other areas or play with other children.

After mealtimes, the children use the choice board to indicate what they feel like doing. For example, they might like to read quietly, do arts and crafts, build huts, or play a fantasy game with their friends. Our childcare professionals can offer all kinds of ideas and materials, but the children always choose their activity themselves. This gives them the feeling that their choices matter, and that the adults have trust in them.

Growth due to boundaries

Freedom works best when it is accompanied by clear rules and boundaries. To this end, we provide a fixed daily routine and recognizable rituals at each after-school care. That gives the children ample peace and support, giving them the courage to try new things.

Our childcare professionals put the children at ease and encourage them to tackle challenges at their own pace. Our rules and fixed routine mean that the children know what to expect and have a sense of freedom within safe boundaries.

Free rein for creativity

In our studio, children can let their imagination run free. There are all kinds of materials to hand, such as wood, clay, Ecoline, paint, and mosaic stones. Our childcare professionals will show your child how to work with these materials. Whatever they would like to do – try wood burning to make a keyring, make a beautiful mosaic, or craft their own original creation – your child gets to choose their activity themselves. We work together to make the most fun creative projects, with enjoyment and the process being the top priority.

Growing together

Because the children do so much together, they often develop lifelong friendships at after-school care. Holding your own as an individual in a larger group is an instructive, fun, and sometimes challenging process.

Our childcare professionals guide the children in this. For example, they learn to cooperate, discuss, and take each other into account. Sometimes there are conflicts; that’s completely natural, and actually offers great learning opportunities.

Children have a role

We feel it’s important for children to have a voice in their after-school care. We therefore encourage children of all ages to contribute in matters such as the activity program, the layout, or a special project. By participating in this way, children have the experience that their opinion matters and they learn to take responsibility. They can also be very proud of what they achieve together.

There is even a Children's Council meeting each quarter, during which children share their thoughts on the regular and vacation activities, and the play activities and games on offer. This often leads to the best ideas, such as creating a small area in which to play school, setting up a savings plan for a Lego project, or spending an afternoon building huts.

Collaboration with parents

At Kindergarden, we believe in collaborating with you as parents. Parents know their child best, and we contribute a professional perspective with respect to development. By uniting these perspectives, we can meet each child’s needs.

We keep parents informed through the parent portal and in personal conversations. We also prepare an annual childcare report in which we reflect together on the development that has taken place.

Kindergarden After School Care: where talents flourish

At Kindergarden, after-school care is more than just childcare. It is a place where children feel safe, where they can develop their talents, and where they learn to collaborate with others. We provide children with the freedom to choose, the challenges they need in order to grow, and the support to be themselves. Together with you as parents, we help them build a solid foundation for the future.