SKSG, a major Groningen-based childcare provider, and Quadraten, an education organization, have signed a covenant to strengthen collaboration between childcare and primary education. The goal: to increase equal opportunities for children from the earliest age.
Collaboration between childcare and education
The signing of the covenant marks a formal partnership between two sectors that are becoming increasingly intertwined. In the Dutch system of childcare and education, attention is growing for a continuous developmental path for children, ensuring a smoother transition from daycare center (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) or preschool/toddler care to primary school.
SKSG operates as a childcare organization in the city and province of Groningen, providing places for thousands of children. Quadraten is an educational organization comprising multiple primary schools in the region. By joining forces, both parties aim to structurally improve children's developmental opportunities.
Equal opportunities as a central theme
Equal opportunities ranks high on the agenda in Dutch childcare and education policy. Children from families with lower incomes or less education appear to be less well prepared for primary school on average. This so-called educational disadvantage can be addressed early in childhood.
The collaboration between SKSG and Quadraten aligns with national initiatives such as the Early and Preschool Education (VVE) program. Within VVE, childcare and primary education work together to reduce language and developmental delays in young children. The new Childcare Act, which takes effect in 2025, also explicitly strengthens the connection between childcare, preschool/toddler care, and primary school.
What does this mean for parents?
For parents in the Groningen region, this collaboration can yield concrete benefits:
- Better school preparation: Children cared for at SKSG can benefit from preparation that more closely aligns with what they will encounter at Quadraten primary schools.
- Consistent developmental vision: Parents receive consistent information and guidance about their child's development, both in childcare and at school.
- Early identification: Collaborating professionals can recognize and address potential developmental delays or additional support needs sooner.
- Access to VVE programs: Children with a VVE indication may be able to access education-supporting activities more easily.
The covenant between SKSG and Quadraten is an example of how regional collaboration can contribute to the national ambition of offering all children, regardless of background, equal starting positions in their development and educational path.