Handbookpart 1

about True Colors Delft

True colors is part of Stichting Rijswijkse Kinderopvang

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Index

paginaWelcome to True Colors Delft 3

Contact 4

General 5• building and location 5• groups 5• pedagogical team 6

First Meeting 7

Quality standards 7

Safety and other house rules 8• emergencies 8• key ring system 8

Opening times and holidays 8

Introductory period 9

Drop off and collection times 9

Pedagogical policy 9• a warm welcome and connection through the natural elements 10• playing outside 10• eating and drinking 11• hot lunch 11• breastfeeding 11

Transferring to primary school 12• Transferring to before school and after-school-care 12

Photo’s 12

Birthdays 12

Parent committee 13

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Welcome to True Colors Delft

A very warm welcome to True Colors Delft childcare centre. Since we opened on 24 August 2015, True Colors Delft has been offering child care in 5 vertical groups (0-4 years) and out-of-school care to children aged 4-12 years. This is Part 1 of our Handbook (De Wegwijzer) with specific information about the True Colors Delft childcare centre. Together with the more general Part 2 (see our website: www.truecolorsdelft.nl), the Handbook provides new parents with all the information they need.

We are sure that you and your child will soon feel at home at our childcare centre. And of course, if you have any questions or comments, our early learning experts will be happy to discuss these with you.

On behalf of the True Colors Delft team,Regina Stork, Group Manager.

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Contact

Address: True Colors Delft Childcare CentreJaffalaan 92628 BX Delfttel: 015-79 20 320/321www.truecolorsdelft.eu

Head Office Stichting Rijswijkse Kinderopvang

True Colors Delft is part of the ‘Stichting Rijswijkse Kinderopvang’ (Rijswijk Childcare Foundation). These are the contact details of the Head Office:

Stichting Rijswijkse KinderopvangM. Campslaan 3,2285 XM Rijswijk,Tel: 070- 79 20 100Email: info@kinderopvang-plein.nl

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General

True Colors Delft is a childcare centre for all children, but it gives priority to parents working at the TU-Delft.

True Colors Delft is a childcare centre where our core values are to provide a warm welcome and encourage interaction. These values are reflected in the way we work together with parents and children, in the design of our building and on natural outdoor play.

True Colors Delft is an international childcare centre where English and Dutch are spoken to the children. Our whole pedagogical team speaks English and Dutch. Our written and spoken communication with parents is in English.

Building and locationThe childcare centre is located in a detached building in the Jaffalaan in Delft. All classrooms will be divided over part of the ground floor. We will have 5 classrooms and an office. The out-of-school care will be provided in the part of the building used by the International School. There are various parking facilities along the side of the building. At the front of the building we have a beautiful, new, natural outdoor grass and sandy playing area with lots of plants and shrubs. Parents of the childcare centre will receive a code so they can open the centre’s door. Each group has its own bell at the front door. In the interests of safety, the pedagogical team will only open the door when the name of both parent and child has been given.

GroupsAt the True Colors Delft childcare centre we work with vertical groups, which means groups with mixed ages of children aged 0-4 years. A vertical group consists of a maximum of 12 children where we aim for a balance between the different ages. Each group is guided by 2 members of our pedagogical team, who are present every day if necessary. Because many of our pedagogical team work part-time, you and your child will meet 3 different early learning experts per group during the course of the week.Each group has their own classroom and a name which is connected to the True Colors Delft name. Each group also has their own extension number.

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These are:Group Ladybugs 015 – 7920322Group Grasshoppers 015 – 7920323Group Firebeetles 015 – 7920324Group Honeybees 015 – 7920325Group Dragonflies 015 – 7920326Group Flintstones (after-school-care) 015 - 7920327

The out-of-school care has space for a maximum of 20 children aged between 4-12 years. There are 2 early learning experts present per group of 20 children per day.

In addition to our permanent pedagogical team members, we have permanent staff members who work on a rota system. If we still need stand-in teachers, the SRK (Rijswijk Childcare Foundation) works with its own Flexpool. This means that they are also full colleagues of the SRK and that they know how we work. Pedagogical teamOur childcare centre is open from 07.30 – 18.30 We aim to work with flexible childcare within True Colors Delft. The number of early learning experts will be determined by the number of children present. To do this we adhere to the legal teacher/child ratio.

The early learning experts from out-of-school care have different working hours and shifts.Out-of-school care: 14.45 - 18.30 on Mon., Tues. and Thurs.Out-of-school care: 12.30 - 18.30 on Weds. and Fri.

During the holidays the early learning experts are there all day from 07.30 - 18.30, depending on the number of children present.

All our pedagogical team members are qualified to at least SPW 3 (Social Pedagogical Work Level 3). The SRK is an officially-recognised training organisation, so one trainee per two groups often joins us to help and learn. They are, of course, fully supervised at all times. All our pedagogical team members have an up-to-date first aid certificate, and several have also followed occupational safety training. As a safety precaution, we work with the four-eyes principle at the childcare centre which means a member of staff is never left alone in the building with the children.

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Five times a year we hold a team evening to plan, give feedback and discuss other relevant matters. In addition, the SRK provides facilities for team members to follow courses and study to increase their pedagogical knowledge or develop specific skills.

First meeting

When you visit us for an intake meeting, please bring the registration card (‘stamkaart’ ), which you will receive from the SRK, and 2 passport photos of your child.

For the childcare centreThe first time your child comes for a trial visit, we ask you to bring pyjamas, a set of spare clothes, slippers, a cuddly toy and dummy/ pacifier, if you wish. We provide sleeping bags, bibs, bottles, food and nappies/diapers (Kruidvat’s own brand).

If you would like us to place your child on his or her stomach to sleep, the pedagogical team member will ask you to sign a permission form at the intake meeting.

For after-school-care Please bring the registration card (‘stamkaart’ ), which you will receive from the SRK, and 2 passport photos of your child as well as a set of named spare clothes and slippers.

Quality standards

Childcare providers are legally obliged to provide a safe and healthy environment, and this is checked annually by carrying out a Risk Audit and Evaluation (RAE). On the basis of the RAE, we draw up an action plan, which we implement and document each year in a report, which you can ask to read at our office.

In addition, the SRK has a childcare quality guide. An internal audit team carries out random checks 3 x a year to see whether the SRK quality guide work instructions are being followed.

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Safety and other house rules

Childcare centres are required to describe potential safety risks and suggest how to prevent them by compiling safety rules or house rules.Here are our house rules for parents of children at True Colors Delft:• When entering/leaving, do not allow anybody you do not know to enter with

you.• Cars must be parked in the parking areas provided. Bicycles can be parked in

the bike shed.• Wipe your feet on entering the building, especially in wet weather.• Parents’ bags should be kept out of reach of the children.• To save us having to do it, please remove all cords on clothing, as well as any

jewellery and scarves, which could be dangerous.• On sunny days, parents should provide a hat for their child.• In cold weather, parents should provide a warm coat, mittens, hat, scarf etc. for

their child.• If your child needs medication, which has to be given by a member of our team,

please provide the official leaflet (preferably in Dutch or English) and written instructions.

EmergenciesThe childcare centre has an emergency evacuation plan, which is reviewed annually with the team, and we hold an emergency drill at least once a year. Emergency evacuation drills always take place (announced as well as unannounced) when the children are present. This experience allows our team to react swiftly and correctly in the case of an emergency.

Key ring systemEvery group has a key ring where each child hangs a key ring with their photo and the emergency contact telephone number on the back. Please attach your child’s key ring when you arrive and remove it when you leave. This enables the pedagogical team members to check which children are present at any time.

Opening times and holidays

The childcare centre is open from Monday to Friday from 07.30 – 18.30. After -school-care is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 14.45 - 18.30.After-school-care is open on Wednesday and Friday from 12.30 - 18.30.

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We are closed on holidays, which are decided centrally by the SRK. We will let you know about these holidays regularly and well in advance.

Introductory periodDuring your intake meeting with the pedagogical team members, we will make appointments for your child to visit us several times for a few hours as a trial period.Depending on how this goes, we will decide if your child will need a longer trial period, or if he or she can start attending straight away.Bear in mind that each child reacts differently, and we may advise a longer trial period in the interests of your child.

Drop-off and collection timesWe aim to work with flexible childcare within the childcare centre. The drop-off and collection times therefore depend on your care contract.

After-school-care is open from 14.45 (Wednesday and Friday from 12.30) with child care available until 18.30.If you would like a detailed discussion about your child’s progress, then please come at least 15 minutes before this time.

True Colors Delft closes at 18.30. If you would like to stay and chat to other parents, please do so outside the grounds, so that our team members can go home in time.

Pedagogical Policy

The pedagogical policy document for all SRK locations can be viewed in our office.You can read specific details of how this is applied at True Colors Delft in our Pedagogical Plan, which is also available at our office.

The key elements of our pedagogical vision are: a warm welcome and connection. Here are just some of the areas of our pedagogical vision that we pride ourselves on at True Colors Delft:• A warm welcome and connection through the natural elements: fire, water,

earth and air.• Creating a home from home.• Encouraging children to be independent (getting something themselves,

getting dressed and undressed, etc.)• Celebrating things in the Dutch way, but also taking time for the special days

celebrated in other countries and cultures.• Respecting the fact that our children come from different countries and

cultures, each with its own ideas, interests and customs.9

• Offering children new experiences, which they will be able to use in the future.• 5 hot meals a week. • Close collaboration with the International School Delft.• Playing outside every day.

A warm welcome and connection through the natural elementsOur four main aims are:• Offering emotional safety which contributes to the child’s wellbeing. Only

when a child feel safe can it go out and explore and develop.• By stimulating the children’s own abilities; encouraging the children to discover

their abilities and interests and helping them to have or attain a positive sense of self-worth.

• By stimulating the children’s social abilities; encouraging the children to profit from playing together in a group.

• Teaching the children values and standards; teaching the children where the boundaries are and what others expect from them.

Theses elements are further explained in our Pedagogical Plan.

Playing outsideFresh air is generally considered to have a positive effect on the immune system, and playing outside is an important way of stimulating gross motor development and social skills. This is why we try to go outside with the children every day.

Parents are asked to bear in mind the following:• We cannot change your child’s clothes before they go outside.• Please dress your child appropriately for outside play. On sunny days don’t

forget a sunhat and please send suitable clothing when it rains.• A child who still sleeps several times a day, may not be able to go outside with

the group. Sleeping takes priority over playing outside, unless the parents specifically give us permission to wake their child up.

• If we take the children outside in wet weather, the children and their clothes will be dried afterwards. If necessary children will change into dry clothes.

• Children with a cold also play outside, as we cannot leave one of our team inside with just one child. If your child has a cold and you do not want them to play outside, you will have to keep your child at home.

Eating and drinkingWith the exception of some special dietary foods, all food will be provided by the childcare centre. Our childcare centre has a limited variety of baby milk. If you wish, we will be happy to give your baby breast milk you have expressed. You may also

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breastfeed your baby yourself and you are welcome to visit us at any time during the day. If your child has special dietary needs (salt-free or sugar-free, vegetarian or other special diet), please talk to one of the team members. We will try to take your requirements into consideration, but in some cases we may need to ask you to provide some, or all of your child’s food yourself. Please mark all food you bring in with your child’s name and the date.

The youngest children eat and drink according to their own schedule as much as possible. Older children eat and drink together in the group. In addition to lunchtime, there are set eating and drinking times halfway through the morning and afternoon, and at the end of the day. Hot meals are served at lunchtime throughout the week.

A general idea of the food and drink we serve is given in an overview showing which products we offer the children. The pedagogical team give the children the choice of two items at each mealtime or snack time.After their first birthday, children eat with the group.

Up to the age of 1, homemade meals may be brought to the childcare centre under special circumstances. To do this, you must sign a form during your intake meeting. Foods for special diets should be in unopened/sealed packaging.No porridge is served to children after their first birthday.

Hot lunchIn other countries it is usual to serve a hot lunch instead of bread.In response to many parents’ wishes, we serve hot lunches to children from the age of about 1 year. We can also cater for special dietary requirements. The hot lunches cost €2.75 per meal for children aged 1-4 years.We are looking into the possibility of also offering hot lunches to children younger than 1 year and the out-of-school children on Wednesday and Friday.

BreastfeedingYou are most welcome to give your baby breast milk you have expressed when you drop them off, as long as the milk is frozen or refrigerated. You may also drop in at any time during the day to breastfeed your child. You may also breastfeed your baby yourself, either in the group space, or in a separate room if you prefer.

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Transferring to primary school

When your child reaches his or her 4th birthday, it is time to go to primary school. If, for some reason you are unable to find a place for your child, it is possible for him or her to continue coming to True Colors Delft for a while. If this is the case, please let us know by sending an email to: plaatsingen@kinderopvang-plein.nl

Transferring to after-school-careWhen your child reaches their 4th birthday and you would like them to have after-school-care, we are just the place for you. The children remain in familiar surroundings where they are used to the way we work. True Colors Delft works closely with the International School Delft. Together we offer children between 0-12 years a continuous learning path. If your child goes to the ISD after their 4th birthday, they can transfer straight from the childcare centre into aftre-school-care. Children from other schools are also welcome, but True Colors Delft does not provide transport for them. You must inform us in advance if you want your child to transfer to after-school-care, by sending an email to: plaatsingen@kinderopvang-plein.nl

Photos

We often take photos of the children during our activities. Once a week we will mail a photo to your private email address. We also place photos on our website, which can only be seen by parents of True Colors Delft by using a code.

A professional photographer visits the childcare centre once a year. You will be able to buy these photos, if you wish.

Birthdays

We enjoy celebrating your child’s birthday. Please let us know in plenty of time, so that we can plan the festivities.We celebrate your child’s birthday by singing to them. They are given a special party hat and you are encouraged to send a small edible treat for the other children. We will eat this together in the group. Coming up with a healthy treat can sometimes pose problems. You may provide both edible and inedible treats. We actively encourage healthy edible treats and ask parents to keep them small and not too full of calories.

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Examples of edible treats1 small biscuit, a tangerine with a little umbrella, a banana boot, or a mini current bun.

Examples of inedible treatsA lucky dip/grab bag, a bubble blower, a mini book, a bracelet or a yoyo.For more ideas, take a look at the Dutch websites: www.voedingscentrum.nl or www.gezondtrakteren.nl

Parent committee

Every location with a childcare centre is required to appoint a parent committee within 6 months of opening. The goal of the parent committee is to promote the interests of the children and parents. The parent committee is consulted about pedagogical policy, risk audits and other plans.There can be a maximum of 2 parents per group on the Parent Committee (Oudercommissie – OC), with only one attending each meeting. This means that the OC has a maximum of 12 members. Meetings are held approximately every 6 weeks. One member of each OC represents their childcare centre at the central SRK Parent Board (Ouderraad – OR). They represent parents of all the SRK locations.The minutes of the True Colors Delft Parent Committee are sent to all parents by email. You can find more information about the committee in our Information Folder.

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