5 reasons why daycare is a great place for your baby

Partou have been providing professional childcare for 50 years. They are now the biggest childcare organisation in the Netherlands, and their core values remain the same: friendship, personal attention, fun and quality!

Are you pregnant and are thinking of returning to work after your maternity leave ends? Then considering who will take care of your baby is a big part of that decision.

Daycare options in the Netherlands

Daycare can be a great option for many families. With daycare centres looking after and nurturing babies and children between the ages of 10 weeks and four years, they can provide a stable, fun and safe "second home" for your child as they grow up. Here are five reasons why daycare might be a good choice for your baby.

1. Playing and learning together

At a daycare centre, your child is in a group with other children, which is good for them, as they can learn a lot from playing with other children. Among other things, they can train their social skills, such as having fun together, learning to share, standing up for themself, waiting their turn and being considerate of others.

2. Good for development

It is often thought that a daycare is a place where children only play, sleep and eat. But there is a lot more going on. At a daycare centre, we also stimulate your child's motor, social and cognitive development in a playful way. Think of dancing and baby gym, group games and making music.

By the way, did you know that every daycare centre is required to have a pedagogical work plan? You can always request to see this.

3. Encouraging independence

Throwing rubbish in the bin, clearing the lunch table, coughing and sneezing into your elbow... The manners you teach your child at home are reinforced at daycare.

The qualified staff also take all the time they need to help your child become independent. Think of learning to drink from a cup or learning to put on a coat without help. There is a really handy trick for the latter, but you can find that out from Partou directly!

4. Personal attention

Fully-trained staff are alert to see when and what form of attention a child needs, and they are happy to give that attention. After all, it is their profession and what they love about their job! In this way, they also quickly build a personal bond with your baby.

You will notice that the pedagogical staff in your child's group are almost as proud as you are when your child takes their first steps or achieves another milestone. The close bond that forms means it's often not just the child who has tears in their eyes when it's time to leave for primary school, but the parents and carers too!

5. Open almost all year round

A practical point, but a very important one: most daycare centres are open almost all year round on weekdays, even during the holidays. Convenient!

This way you don't have to bend over backwards to find care during the summer holidays, for example. Of course, most daycare centres are closed on national holidays.

A fun and stimulating environment

Daycare centres are like a mini society, where children discover the world in a fun, safe and trusted environment. Together with their peers, they develop important skills for their role in the world of tomorrow. 

Would you like to know more about daycare? Visit the Partou website to read what a day at daycare looks like. Partou also welcome visitors, and are happy to show you how they help your little one grow up. Find a Partou centre near you and drop by to meet them!