It is now also possible to purchase an extended playgroup at the new Fontein location at De Bron primary school in the France district.
More playtime for young explorers
At the end of August 2023, the Harderwijk Children’s Playground Foundation started offering an extended playgroup within the Doerak pilot location.
Within the extended playgroup, parents can opt for an extra block of care from 12.15 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. or an extra block of care from 12.15 p.m. to 6.15 p.m. These times are in line with the times of primary school and after-school care. Extended playgroup can only be purchased if the child is already present in the playroom during the morning. If parents purchase an extended playgroup, it is also possible to take the toddler to the playgroup during the school holidays.
The pilot was evaluated in May 2024 among participating parents and pedagogical staff at the Doerak location. The extended playgroup offered proved to be well suited to the needs of working parents. Parents who previously used a daycare center indicated that they see it as an advantage that their child is introduced to primary school at the age of 2 and that the transition is therefore much more gradual. It also has a practical advantage when older brother(s) and/or sister(s) already attend primary school.
Parents experience that the program and activities offered are really different than at the daycare center. There is a more challenging program in the morning and more rest in the afternoon because the group is smaller. Through play, toddlers learn many skills that will come in handy in primary school. The end time of 2:30 PM is also highly appreciated by parents with older children who attend primary school.
The pedagogical staff also indicate that they see that toddlers who also visit the playroom in the afternoon sometimes make very nice developmental leaps. For example, you can stimulate independence in a different way during lunch and stimulate language development in a different way during table conversations. That really has added value.
Because the experiences within the pilot were positive, SKH has decided to further expand the extended playgroup concept. The Fontein location in De Bron primary school was chosen as the second location for an extended playgroup. This location was previously a daycare center and the extended playgroup offering fits in nicely with this. At the Fontein location it is also possible to start from 7:00 am.
Since this is a starting location, there is still room for new toddlers from 2 years old after the autumn holidays. If you would like more information, please contact us (tel: 0341-460183 on working days between 8:30 am and 2:00 pm). You can register via the website www.skh-harderwijk.nl.
