You're choosing between a daycare center (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) with vertical or horizontal grouping and wondering which group composition is best for your child's social development. One option offers contact with different ages, the other keeps same-age peers together. But what does this actually mean for how your child learns to interact with others?
How do you determine which group structure suits your child?
Vertical grouping means babies, toddlers, and young children are in one group together. Your child grows up in a fixed group with children aged 0 to 4, often with the same childcare staff. This offers continuity and the benefit that older children learn to be considerate of younger ones, while younger children receive stimulation from observing older children's behavior. Horizontal grouping splits children into age groups: babies separately, toddlers separately, and sometimes even a separate group for young toddlers. This means activities and pace are better aligned with the developmental stage.
The choice depends on your child. Some children thrive in the calm and predictability of a horizontal group, where everyone can do roughly the same things. Others flourish in the dynamics of a vertical group, where they function as both the 'big' and 'little' one. Ask during a tour how the group is structured and why the location chose this approach. A good explanation of the pedagogical policy says more than the grouping itself.
What does research say about vertical versus horizontal grouping?
Research into group structures in childcare does not show a clear winner. What is clear: the quality of interaction between childcare worker and child weighs more heavily than the group structure. In vertical groups, researchers observe that older toddlers show more responsibility and younger children pick up language skills faster through imitation. At the same time, the presence of babies can divide staff attention, which may reduce the intensity of interactions per child.
In horizontal groups, the advantage is that staff can respond more specifically to the developmental stage. A group of only young toddlers means that the range of activities, daily routine, and communication optimally matches what this age needs. Research shows that babies in particular benefit emotionally and educationally from horizontal grouping. However, the general question is not which structure is 'better,' but which structure is better executed by the staff on site. Therefore, observe how the group feels during a tour: are children actively engaged, or does a portion appear withdrawn?
Practical tips to stimulate social development, regardless of grouping
The group structure is only one factor. What happens at home and how staff interact with children matters at least as much. As a parent, you can specifically contribute to your child's social growth, regardless of the chosen childcare.
The role of childcare workers
Observe how staff guide conflicts. In every group, moments of frustration arise: a toy that must be shared, a child who is excluded. The staff member's response is decisive. Do they intervene with open questions, or are children mainly separated? A staff member who helps children name their feelings and find solutions stimulates social skills more effectively than the group structure itself. Ask during a tour how conflicts are handled and how children learn to cooperate. If you feel good about the staff's approach, that is already very important.
Pay attention to team stability. Children need familiar faces to feel socially secure. High staff turnover undermines social development, regardless of whether the group is vertically or horizontally structured. Check in the GGD inspection report how the location scores on the criterion of 'consistent faces.'
How you supplement what happens at daycare at home
Talk about the day. Ask specifically about other children: who did your child play with, what did they do together, was anything difficult? This helps your child process and name social experiences. With young children, you can support this with photos of the group or by mentioning names you hear.
Arrange playdates outside of childcare. You strengthen the social skills your child acquires by also facilitating contact with peers outside of childcare. This applies especially if your child is in a vertical group with few children of the same age, but even in a horizontal group, extra out-of-school contact is valuable. This way, your child learns to navigate different social contexts.
Model social behavior yourself. Children learn by watching how you interact with others. Show how you greet people, how you ask for help, and how you handle disappointment. This forms the foundation for what your child further develops at childcare.
Getting started
The vertical or horizontal grouping of a daycare center (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) is less decisive than the quality of its implementation. Focus on what you observe yourself: the atmosphere in the group, the interaction between staff and children, and how individual needs are addressed. Compare multiple locations and ask targeted questions about the pedagogical policy around social development. At kiddie.nl, you'll find GGD inspection reports and parent reviews that help you make an informed choice based on concrete quality data.
