The transition to childcare is a big leap for many children and parents. You wonder: who will pick up my child when they cry? Who will notice that today is different from yesterday? A fixed caregiver, a mentor, can make all the difference. They provide security and pay special attention to your child and their development.
What exactly is a mentor at a daycare center?
A mentor is a fixed childcare worker who is specifically responsible for your child. This makes them your direct point of contact as a parent and a safe haven for your child. The Childcare Innovation and Quality Act (Wet IKK) requires that children have a fixed caregiver who knows them and follows their development. In practice, this role is often called a mentor.
The mentor knows your child's daily routine, understands what's happening at home, and knows how your child responds to new situations. This is different from general group supervision. While all staff members keep watch and guide activities, the mentor focuses on the individual child. At some daycare centers, the mentor is also the person who conducts the mentor meeting with you.
What does a fixed caregiver actually do for your child?
The mentor's role goes beyond being a friendly face at drop-off and pick-up. It's about continuity in an environment where there can be a lot of change due to shifts and staffing.
Recognizing patterns and raising concerns
A mentor sees patterns that others miss. Your child is quieter than usual after a busy weekend, suddenly eating poorly, playing alone more often, or perhaps much more social. The mentor notes this, discusses it with you, and together you look for an explanation or approach.
This observational work is especially valuable for young children who can't yet tell you what's going on themselves. The mentor acts as a bridge between the world of childcare and home. If there are concerns about development, the mentor can also take the step toward the child health clinic or request an early childhood education (VVE) assessment.
The mentor meeting: what do you discuss together?
Most daycare centers schedule a mentor meeting a few times a year. This isn't a casual chat, but a structured conversation about your child's development. You discuss what's going well, what questions you have, and whether there are any areas of concern.
Preparation helps. Note down what you want to discuss beforehand: sleep at home versus at childcare, eating habits, social contacts, or things you notice at home. The mentor can often indicate whether what you see is age-appropriate or if there's reason to look more closely. Also ask about the pedagogical policy if you're not familiar with it yet.
How does mentorship work in practice at childcare?
Not every daycare center organizes mentorship in the same way. At some centers, there is one fixed mentor per child; at others, a mentor pair works together, or the role rotates per half-day. Ask about this during a tour.
It's important that the mentor is actually present on the days your child attends. A mentor who only works on Wednesdays has little added value if your child is at childcare on Mondays and Tuesdays. Also look at what happens during the mentor's vacation or sick leave. Is there a clear replacement who takes over the case knowledge?
The fixed faces rule from the Wet IKK requires daycare centers to ensure continuity in caregivers. Mentorship is one way to achieve this, but not the only one. Some centers work with fixed groups where all staff members know the child well.
What if there is no fixed mentor?
Sometimes there simply isn't the possibility for a fixed mentor. At smaller centers with limited staff, or at after-school care (BSO) where children only arrive after school and staffing varies. Even then, you can expect something from the childcare.
Ask how handovers between staff members work. Is there a digital system with notes? Are there brief daily handover moments? And who is your fixed contact person if something is wrong? Even without formal mentorship, there should be someone who has the overview.
As a parent, you can also play a role. Be proactive in sharing information. A quick message that your child slept poorly or that something is happening at home helps every caregiver respond better to what your child needs.
Getting started: how to consciously choose continuity
When comparing daycare centers, mentorship is something you can explicitly take into account. Don't just ask whether there is a mentor, but how often they are present, how handovers work, and what the mentor meeting looks like. On kiddie.nl, you can find daycare centers near you, including GGD inspection reports and parent reviews. This way, you can compare not only on price and location, but also on the quality of care your child receives.