De Kleine Ontdekkers

Welcome to De Kleine Ontdekkers, a small-scale daycare centre located at Magnusstraat 52 in Groningen where a maximum of six children at a time find a safe second home. Established in the summer of 2022, our KDV grew out of a desire to channel years of experience from the child, youth and family expertise centre into warm, personal childcare. Our starting point is simple: every child matters and deserves the chance to develop fully. Our pedagogical approach is inspired by Reggio Emilia and Emmi Pikler. We see every child as a ‘rich’ child, full of possibilities and talents. We tailor play and activities to whatever the children themselves find interesting and we work thematically around seasons and everyday topics—think collecting autumn leaves, animals in winter or flowers in spring. These themes expand vocabulary and social contact in a playful way. During free play we support children in learning to share, make plans and find solutions. Every emotion is welcome and given space. Movement, dance and music are central. We sing songs, create rhythms and move to music. Outdoors there is a garden where children can run, balance and explore. We use a variety of materials that invite creative thinking and expressing feelings. Throughout the day we focus on all areas of development: motor, language, social-emotional and cognitive. For the very youngest there is a quiet sleeping area and bottle feeding on request, following the home rhythm as closely as possible. Because we care for a maximum of six children at a time, there is always room for an extra cuddle or a personal story. We operate as one vertical group where babies, toddlers and preschoolers meet and learn from one another. This set-up creates a homely atmosphere and offers plenty of scope for individual attention. In short, at De Kleine Ontdekkers children find a safe, warm place to grow, play and discover. We look forward to welcoming you for an introductory visit.