“Hey champ, how nice to see you again!” Three times a week Benjamin (18 months) is greeted at Wiedewei Ridderkerk as if he were the star of the day. Mama Sarah watches it happen with a smile. “They are genuinely fond of him, and you can feel it in everything.”
Relief
Benjamin has been going to Wiedewei Ridderkerk for six months now. Before that, he went to another daycare, but Sarah noticed that she often picked him up there overstimulated and tearful. “It didn’t feel right, like he wasn’t in the right place,” she says. When they switched to Wiedewei, everything fell into place. “The difference was immediately noticeable. Here he gets the peace, space and attention he needs. It was a real relief for our family.”
Always in sight
According to Sarah, the concept of 'being a child' is completely on point at Wiedewei. She gives the example of Benjamin 'sneaking' out once, with such a wonderfully mischievous look in his eyes. "The staff had of course already noticed, but instead of immediately bringing him back, they let him enjoy his little adventure for a while. 'Oh, he had so much fun!' they said laughing when they picked him up. They give him the space to be himself, but always keep an eye on him."
First a hug
Sarah also sees that the staff are involved in Benjamin's development: "When he was about to walk, I got a video of a pedagogical staff member who practiced with him one-on-one in the garden. That says a lot." But it's also about the little things. Sarah: "When I pick him up, they tell me what he really did and not just what he ate or how long he slept. No, they tell me that he played with the ball, made a new friend or ate well by himself. And if he's having a bad day, they notice it right away. 'Come on, darling, let's cuddle first,' they say. Later I get a photo of him, happily running through the garden. Then I know: he's in good hands."
A little bit of yogurt
Not only Benjamin, but also Sarah feels seen. “The employees give tips, reassure me and think along with me. For example, when Benjamin was not drinking well at home, they said: “Add a little bit of yoghurt to it.” And yes, the whole cup was emptied! I don’t want to think about it myself, but young children apparently love it. Whether it’s about eating, sleeping or playing, they often have smart, practical tips that really work.”
The dirtier the better
Benjamin used to go to Wiedewei two days a week, and now a third day has been added. “We could bring him there full-time, so to speak, he is so happy there,” says Sarah. “It is just a really nice place that I can really recommend: it is clean, the team is loving and professional, the children get healthy food, go outside a lot and are allowed to get dirty. The dirtier, the better! Isn’t that what you want? We certainly do!”