Kindcentrum De Driehoek

In the Gelderakkers neighbourhood, on the edge of Hilvarenbeek, you'll find the new Kindcentrum De Driehoek. Close to nature with a large outdoor area. When you walk into the shared central hall, you immediately see the collaboration between childcare and education. One central hall with a shared stage where big and small meet each other. All windows and doors are made of glass so the children can look in on each other. You immediately see the cosy childcare rooms. Different snug play corners give a warm and safe feeling. The friendly colours on the walls invite you to come inside. You feel welcome! There are three childcare rooms, all connected to each other by glass doors. A childcare worker explains that these doors are often open. 'The youngest ones can already peek in on the toddlers, and the toddlers regularly seek out the calm with the little ones.' Respect and attention for each child's development at their own pace are central at this location. After school, one of the rooms is also used for after-school care (BSO). Cooking together, building, or just doing crafts at the table. It's all possible. 'The children can also use the gym hall, where a sports teacher is regularly present to give sports lessons,' says the manager of Kindcentrum De Driehoek. They are also allowed to use a space next to the kindergarten classroom. Relaxing on cushions with a view of the football pitch on the school playground. The oldest after-school care children in particular have plenty of space here to unwind after a busy school day. Every day, the outdoor area is enjoyed, offering enough space for cycling, sliding, and running. The youngest children have a separate outdoor space so they too can safely crawl around and play. Regular trips are also made to the library. Choosing books together that connect with the theme we're working on. A library staff member is also often found at our location to open a theme. We do this together with the kindergarteners from the primary school. Good collaboration between primary school and childcare is very important to us. Together we work on the same themes, and the oldest toddlers regularly visit the kindergarteners for a morning. This way, toddlers already get to know the environment, their possible new classmates, the teachers, and the different materials and activities. This way, we offer toddlers a safe, familiar, and gradual transition from daycare center (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) to kindergarten group.