"Whether it's raining or not, I try to take Raff outside as often as possible. At least an hour a day. We walk from one playground to another or just go to the supermarket. Being outside invites us to discover the world in a different way. That's why I'm glad that going outside is also emphasized at Raff's daycare.
Getting messy and playing rough
Raff recently joined the toddler group. Just like in the baby group, there is a nice garden where he can play. In the big sandbox, with the bikes, or in the grass. I've also left a pair of rain boots on the group. I don't dress him in his finest clothes. Usually, I send him in his outdoor play suit so he can enjoy getting messy, playing rough, and getting dirty. And that's what he loves the most.
Adjusting takes time
I can tell that Raff is still adjusting to the toddlers. Everything is new, of course. The group, the children, the teachers. That's why he sometimes struggles with saying goodbye. And when I pick him up, he often cries. But it's more of a release because he's happy to see me again. Thankfully, he always goes home happily.
Sending photos
Fortunately, the teachers keep us well informed about Raff's well-being through the parent app Konnect. A photo often says enough for me instead of a long text: he's having a good time. You know that things will eventually be fine after such an emotional goodbye, but it's reassuring to have confirmation. It brings peace of mind.
Good communication
One thing I really appreciate about the daycare is the good communication we have with the teachers. Everything is open for discussion. It bothered me a little that every report included something like 'he loves to eat.' Well, yes, we know that. At some point, you'd rather read about what he did. We mentioned this to the teachers, and they were happy to hear it. And vice versa.
"Our group has a lovely discovery garden"
Ingrid is a pedagogical employee and works at the baby group at the Partou location in Houten where Raff spent his first two years. "We also try to take the babies outside every day. But because of the different rhythms, it requires different preparation. Also in terms of staffing. One of us always needs to stay with the babies who are sleeping. Our group is next to a lovely discovery garden with a Teletubbies-like hill, including a slide. There's also a little maze and a walkway. These elements invite exploration. You need balance and bravery, among other things. Do I dare do it myself? Or do I look around and ask for help? What I've noticed is that children ask for less help and attention when they're outside. They immediately go on an adventure. We often share this with the parents through a photo on Konnect. This app is truly a great way to keep each other up-to-date, alongside the handover during drop-off and pick-up. Because, as Caitlin says, everything should be open for discussion. If you consider something to be unpleasant, we'd like to know. And vice versa, of course. This way, we can improve the care for the child and increase parents' trust."
In collaboration with ‘Ouders van Nu’ (Today’s Parent)
Every day, ‘Ouders van Nu’ (Today’s Parent) selects interesting news from within and outside the country specifically for (expecting) parents. They focus on tidbits that make (expecting) parents better, happier, or wiser. This article was written in collaboration with ‘Ouders van Nu’.