At CompaNanny we find freedom of movement very important. Space to develop through movement leads to independence and self-confidence in babies and young children. At our baby groups we use the vision of Emmi Pikler. What this vision means and how it translates into our pedagogical approach at the baby groups, we'd like to tell you in this blog! What is Emmi Pikler's vision? Emmi Pikler developed her vision from her role as a mother and pediatrician. When a child has the opportunity to discover and learn at his or her own pace, he or she learns to sit, stand, speak and think better than a child who is helped in his or her development. Pikler's vision is therefore an important source of inspiration for CompaNanny's pedagogical method. How is the vision of Emmi Pikler applied in our pedagogical method? In the spacious ground box the smallest babies can play undisturbed, safe and quietly. They get enough room to move around in order to master all of the developmental phases at their own pace. A child is always laid on his or her back. We do this on a hard mat in the ground box. This hard surface provides support for movement. When the child is laid on his or her back, he or she can move from that position (for example by rolling over on their side). The child can practice rolling over and, at a later stage, can practice tugging.Extra stimulation of movement in the playpenTo further stimulate movement, toys are placed in a semi-circle around the child. Our Nannies will not put toys in the hands of children; in this way they give children the opportunity to choose for themselves what they will take, when they have mastered the motor skills. Each child will be assessed when he or she is ready to play outside of the floor box. The Nannies will then look at what the child can already do and whether he or she feels comfortable in a larger space.Passive toys ensure an active and creative childThe baby groups at CompaNanny are well laid out and spacious with quiet colors and objects. Besides the spacious floor boxes where babies can move around in, there are various climbing and clambering equipment and lots of wooden objects. Everything is present to allow creativity and development to run its course and to give the child the space and above all the peace to grow and learn. There are no toys in our groups with buttons that make sounds, but only passive toys that make children curious, active and creative. Stimulating independent development At CompaNanny we follow the development of the individual child. For example, if a child has not yet gotten into a sitting position independently, we choose not to put them in the high chair at the table to eat yet. We then offer the snack or bread on the Nanny's lap. Before a child can sit at the table, we find it important that a child has first come to the sitting position by himself. When a child has done this entirely from his or her own motivation and strength, it provides an enormous boost in self-confidence. From this success experience the child will be able to develop further with even more self-confidence.Would you like to know more about our pedagogical vision or are you curious about the method we use in our toddler groups? Check out our page on the pedagogical policy of CompaNanny. Are you enthusiastic about our childcare offer? You can request a tour at one of our locations or register your child directly!

Did you think you had your parenting completely under control with your oldest, it turns out that this way of parenting does not work at all for your youngest. It seems obvious that the education of every child needs to be tailor-made, but it may not always be that easy. In this blog we give tips and share why it is important to treat and raise each child as a unique individual. The definition of parenting is guiding your child in his or her development into someone who can independently participate in society. This is done by providing a safe environment, offering structure and instilling standards and values. In most cases this basis will be the same for all your children, but in addition it is important that you adapt the upbringing of each child to his or her unique person. After all, each child has different character traits. What can you do in parenting? Do not compare your children with each otherBy comparing siblings, you can actually reinforce rivalry between children instead of encouraging children to modify behavior.  To encourage children, you can name specific behaviors and not pass judgment in them. For example, by saying: 'I see you haven't finished your plate yet, will you take a few more bites?' instead of saying 'Take an example from your brother, he has already finished his plate'. Encourage self-confidenceYour child does not have to be as good at sports or drawing as his brother or sister. Each child has their own qualities and develops at their own pace. As a parent, you can encourage your child by trying things, continuing to practice and by showing them that it is not bad to make mistakes. Create realistic expectations and let your child know that you are proud of him for who he is.   Avoid labeling your childWhen you talk about your child as "the clown" or "the sporty one," certain expectations about the child's (behavior) arise about themselves and with you as a parent. Your expectation about who your child is or how your child is supposed to be has a great influence on your child. This can lead to a selffulfilling prophecy because your child will also behave like this because it does not want to disappoint you. Also, 'labeling' can contribute to mutual jealousy.  Always remember that no two children are alike. Even if they are brothers and sisters who have the same parents, grow up in the same house and go to the same school. They have their own place in the family, their own character, their own relationships with others and their own experiences gained. This makes each child a unique individual!

On Sunday 31 October 2021 at 03:00 AM, winter time will start. For people without children this means an hour more sleep, but for people with (young) children it means that the day starts an hour earlier. A baby or toddler has its own biorhythm that is (temporarily) disturbed by the switch to wintertime. What can you do as a parent to prepare your child for wintertime?  Adjust the rhythmGood preparation is half the battle! Give your child a chance to get used to the new rhythm of wintertime. You can choose to get used to the 'new time' a few days in advance by slightly shifting the times for eating, getting up and going to bed. You can do this 1-3 days in advance and shift the rhythm by 10 or 15 minutes per day. This means that your child's daily rhythm will be slightly later. When doing this, pay close attention to the sleep signals your child gives off and do not keep your child awake unnecessarily longer; this can make it more difficult to fall asleep. If your child is older than 2, you can use a 'sleep trainer'; this special light alarm clock can be set a little earlier every evening so that it goes 'on' a little earlier in the morning. Children over the age of 2 can understand that they have to stay in bed until the alarm light goes on. Create a predictable evening routineBy having the same, calm evening routine every night, you offer your child a lot of predictability which can help them get into 'sleep mode'. A fixed sequence (e.g. brushing teeth first, then wearing pyjamas and finally reading to your baby) can help your baby to fall asleep more quickly and calmly. It is good to choose quiet moments; watching a film or frolicking for a while can actually make your child active again. Make sure there are good curtainsA practical tip is to make sure there is a good blackout blind in the bedroom where your child sleeps. Think of a roller shutter, blackout curtains or roller blinds. This keeps the room dark for a long time and your child won't wake up earlier because of the natural light. Switch on the light and get moving!During the winter months, it is darker in the morning for longer, so put the lights on when you get up. This will help your child's natural day and night rhythm. Getting out of the house together in the morning gives your child fresh air, daylight and exercise. This can help their biological clock adjust to the time change more quickly.

Are there always fights for your attention in your house? Are they always comparing each other and does one always feel disadvantaged in relation to the other? Don't worry too much, this mutual competition is very normal and helps your child in its further development. In this blog, we will give you some tips that will help to create a good harmony at home! Mutual rivalryIt is great if your children get along well with each other, stand up for each other and develop a friendly bond. But this is often not the daily reality and this can be quite disappointing or frustrating for you as a parent. Especially when you notice that your children see each other more as rivals than as buddies. The reason siblings rival each other has a biological origin; there is competition for food and parental attention. To minimise this rivalry, it is important that you continue to see and approach each child as a unique individual. Give each child attention according to his/her needs and show that you love each child in his/her own unique way. There are probably also different qualities that you appreciate in your children. Therefore, highlight these without making a comparison with your other child. One child is not better than the other, they are both different. Offer space during conflictsConflicts can be tiring, determine the atmosphere in the house, and hinder the relationship between siblings. Many parents therefore try to avoid conflicts as much as possible or to intervene immediately when a conflict arises. However, it is advisable to give children the space to solve their own conflicts. This is an instructive experience and may ensure that a next conflict is less likely to occur or that your children can come to a solution on their own sooner. In addition, the interference of you as a parent can sometimes only make the conflict worse. Your children see the referee coming and will both do everything in their power to win their case. Children do not always manage to solve the conflict themselves. When you intervene, make sure that you try to listen to both children without judging them and that you try to get the communication going again, without coming up with the solution yourself. Then compliment your children on resolving their conflict together. Read more?Would you like to read more about sibling rivalry? Then we can definitely recommend the book: Siblings without rivalry by How2TalkToKids. In this book you will find many more practical tools for a better relationship between siblings

You wake up in the middle of the night because you hear your child screaming. You rush to his room and see him sitting upright in his bed, startled and wet with sweat. Every child has the occasional nightmare, it cannot be prevented but you, as a parent, can reassure your child and make them feel safe. How to do this we will tell you in this blog. What causes a nightmare? Almost all children suffer from nightmares from time to time. More often than adults even, with a peak at the age of five or six. Because toddlers cannot yet tell the difference between dreams and reality, nightmares can make your child anxious. As your child grows older, the frequency of nightmares will decrease. The causes of nightmares are not immediately known, but it is clear that in the dream world of a child, much of what has happened during the day is processed. In addition, there are certain triggers that can increase the chance of nightmares. For example, nightmares are often a consequence of exciting or stressful events, a busy day or an unpleasant experience. A fever can also be a trigger for a bad dream. What can you do? As a parent, you cannot prevent your child from having a nightmare, but you can support him.It is important that you yourself remain calm, even if your child is very upset. This will show your confidence and will help to calm your child down. Stay with your child and reassure him. It is important that you leave your child in his own bed. Talk about a nice memory, or something in the coming days that your child is looking forward to, to make sure your child can go back to sleep with a positive feeling. It is also important that, just as with daytime fears, you take your child seriously. Do not dismiss the fear by playing it down ('monsters do not exist'). It feels very real for your child and it is nice when he notices that you understand this. It is good to talk about the nightmare the next day. Does your child remember the nightmare? What was it about? Generally speaking, a toddler from around 3 years of age can usually tell quite well what he dreamt about or what scared him. Make sure that your child does not look at the tablet or television just before going to bed. It is often nice to talk through the day together so that your child can go to sleep feeling calm and relaxed.

Reading aloud is not only extremely enjoyable, it can also play a very important role in a child's development. Reading aloud has many positive effects on the emotional, cognitive and social development of a child. So start at a very young age! Reading aloud has a positive effect on language development Many parents start reading aloud when their child starts talking, usually around the age of 2 to 2 ½ years. What is not very well known is that passive language development (understanding spoken language, but not being able to talk themselves) starts much earlier than this.  Research has shown that starting to read aloud from +/- 8 months has a positive effect on the child's language development in later life. Reading aloud exposes a child to a wider and more diverse range of words and increases insight into spelling and text comprehension. There is also a link between being read to and later interest (and pleasure) in reading. How do you choose a suitable book? How do you choose a suitable book from the multitude on offer? First of all, choose a book that you like and that is a good read (some books are better than others), but also one that is appropriate for your child's age and interests. Reading books about major changes in your child's life (e.g. moving house, the birth of a brother or sister, going to school) is a great way to bring this up. Some book tips for reading aloud to children between 0-4 years: - The Little Whale, Benji Davies A touching, loving story about friendship with endearing illustrations. - Coco kan het, Loes Riphagen An encouraging book about courage, self-confidence and being able to do more than you think. - The tiger is sleeping, Britta Teckentrup A fun interactive book where the child really participates in the adventurous story. - Kikker is bang, Max Velthuis The stories of Frog make different emotions discussable in a nice and accessible way, like in this book the emotion 'fear'. Did you know that.... children can become members of the library from birth? The library's youth subscription is also completely free for children up to the age of 18. The subscription offers endless reading, watching and listening pleasure! Would you like to know more about reading aloud and more great book tips? Listen to episode 14 of the Opvoedingscast in which Amber and Laurie tell you why reading aloud is important for young and old, what reading aloud means and how to make it fun for yourself. And of course, book tips are shared! Listen tot the podcast

We are proud to announce that CompaNanny is as of today the new owner of childcare centre Toppie in Hilversum! The conversations with Toppie started from the wish to expand in Hilversum. This qualitative provider felt like a logical party to approach. Toppie was founded 22 years ago and has become a major player with six locations in Hilversum and Baarn. Quality is central to both organisations: to children, parents and staff. We also found similarities in policy, working methods and vision. This creates a solid base for a joint future in which we combine the best of Toppie with the best of CompaNanny.  We look forward to the coming period in which we, together with our new colleagues from Toppie, can work on offering the best care for parents and children. Soon there will be more information about these branches on our website, as well as the possibility to register!

Teaching your child respect for others and for his or her environment; how do you do this? And how to start this at a young age? We give you the most important thing right away: as a parent you are one of the most important examples for a child! Having respect for each other is an important quality to teach your children at a young age. It lays the foundation and stimulates positive behaviour such as empathy, friendliness, sincerity and honesty. Not for nothing 'respect' is one of the 7 values of CompaNanny. Respect as a value within CompaNannyAt CompaNanny we think it's important children learn to respect themselves, others and the world. Our Nannies create, within different age ranges, the right conditions for children to develop this value. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers (0-4 years) make big steps in their development during their first years of life. This can lead to a lot of frustrations and emotions. We offer the children space to develop at their own pace and show respect for the training process. The children are also given the space to express their emotions, even if a child feels the need to cry or be angry, for example. By naming these emotions, we teach children that they - and their emotions - are allowed to be there. In our communication with children, we use the 'I' form. This involves describing the child's behaviour. I do not think it is right for you to climb on the table, because you could fall off and hurt yourself'. Not in a you-message: "You cannot climb on the table, that is very naughty". In the you-message, condemnation and accusation are expressed. Through positive and respectful communication with children, we also teach them to treat others with respect. In the age group 4-12 years old, we teach children, among other things, to be respectful of belongings and to watch their language when communicating with others. We discuss disapproved behaviour with the children, but never reject them as persons. In this way, we support children during conflicts and in setting their own boundaries. Support your childrenAs a parent, you would like your child to treat others in/and his/her environment with respect. As children grow older, they become increasingly aware of their relationship with their environment and others in it. As an adult, you have a very special role in this! What can you do to give your child 'respect for others'? in primary school age, children are more and more able to empathise with and show consideration for others. Independent conflict resolution and cooperation are also improving. This is partly because children at this age can think more abstractly and can regulate their own emotions better. Children continue to need support in this and you, as a parent, can play an important role in this. You can support your child in:      Developing empathyBy naming the emotions of your child (and the other), a child learns to better empathise with the other and adapt its behaviour accordingly. By talking to children about emotions and empathy, you can support a child in developing his or her empathy and respect for the other. By teaching children that you talk with respect about the people around you, you teach children to see and appreciate the qualities and positive sides of someone else. You can teach children to wait their turn, to listen to each other, to ask questions of each other, to help others, et cetera. With young children this is still very difficult, this has to do with the development of the awareness of self and the awareness of the other. Dealing with conflictsWhen there are conflicts between children, you can name what you see happening. You name what is happening and do not make value judgements or express solutions. This encourages children to put themselves in the other's shoes and to find a solution together. Saying sorry is still very difficult for many children. For this they need the awareness of another person, but also of cause and effect.  Saying 'sorry' is often something children do because an adult asks them to, not necessarily because they understand it or experience it as such. Explain to your child what consequences their actions can have on the other person and guide them through the emotions involved. Self-esteem and your own moral senseThe moral sense (what is right and wrong) of children develops during primary school. Children start to see the difference between intention and result, between deceit and error and between fantasy and reality. You can support this - and with it self-respect - by stating that making your own choices is good, even if someone else may have a different opinion. Children are thus encouraged to continue thinking about their own choices and learn to understand the choices of others.

Your child is about to start kindergarten, what a milestone! Perhaps you are excited and don't know what to expect, or you find it hard to say goodbye to your child when you take him or her away for the first time. It is a whole new world for both you and your child. In this blog we tell you what to expect and what you can do to help your child get used to it. The first meetingYou have probably already dropped by to see the facility, learn more about the organization and meet the team. It is nice and important to have a conversation with the pedagogical staff beforehand, so they can learn a lot about your child and your family and respond appropriately. You can also discuss what to expect from the first drop-off and the settling-in period. The settling-in period at the childcare centre starts with a number of days in which the time your child spends in the group is slowly built up. New stimuliDuring the settling-in period, a whole new world opens up for your child. Your child comes into contact with other children, the Nannies in the group, new impressions such as smells, colors and sounds and a new environment. You can tell that your child needs to absorb and process many new things by the fact that he/she is suddenly more focused on you (as a parent), enters a shy phase or is more sensitive. But your child may also be more tired or hungry. The brain of young children has not yet learned to filter stimuli properly, so it is logical that your child is overwhelmed and tired after a day at childcare. Instill confidenceHow your child will react to these changes is often impossible to say in advance and can depend on various factors. These include your child's age and temperament, or how accustomed your child is to other people and new places. Your own attitude as a parent also plays a role. You can help your child get used to it by exuding calmness and confidence. If you show your child when they leave that it is okay to spend a day at the nursery, they will feel more confident.  Playing on the sensesChildren at a young age are mainly focused on developing through their senses. They are therefore very much - much more than adults - aware of smells. It can therefore be nice for your child to have something familiar at daycare, especially when they first go. A cuddly toy that he/she has already used at home or a shirt that you have worn. This can provide a lot of security. Recognizable morning ritualAlthough you have a clear agenda, it is a big question for your child what is going to happen that day. When everything is new and you are still developing as a baby, every day can be different. To ensure that your child feels emotionally secure and is not surprised by suddenly being brought to the daycare center, you can make sure that these mornings are the same. Make a ritual of the things that need to happen in the morning when you go to daycare. If it is recognizable, your child will make the association faster and faster and be better prepared for the transition from home to daycare.

Many parents are faced with the challenge of getting their child to eat enough but also relaxed vegetables. You don't want a battle at the table, but you do want your child to eat healthily. By bringing together education and nutrition, pedagogue and (child) nutritionist Iris Vernooij, of STERK&ZOET, supports parents and children in both! In this blog she shares some practical tips to make eating more fun and more nutritious."I don't like that!"In general, the image of vegetables could use an upgrade. It is often rather negative and this is often created by ourselves, often without us realizing it. For example, when you say, "When you eat your Brussels sprouts, you get dessert. This indicates that the dessert is much tastier and that when you eat your Brussels sprouts, you get a reward. Then the Brussels sprouts must be really bad.Or: 'Three more bites, then you get meat'. Here you indicate that one thing is so much better than the other. In this case, the meat. This often works in the short term but in the long term it is counterproductive.  In the ideal world, vegetables would be given a neutral image, just like the other foods. But to get it to neutral it must first be embellished. Eating vegetables must become a party. This can be done with pancakes, poffertjes and ice cream, among other things, how cool!Pancakes with spinach are called monster or dragon pancakes but also ice creams can easily be made with vegetables. How about ice creams with blueberry and zucchini? Apple and carrot? Or spinach and avocado? In the book IJSJES, by Iris, there are more than 45 recipes for healthy ice cream with fruits and vegetables. With these healthy ice creams you give the image of vegetables a big boost."Just eat it, it's healthy."To give the negative image an upgrade, it helps to teach your child exactly why vegetables are healthy. Why does the body need the vegetable and what function does it serve for your child? So don't just say "Eating vegetables is healthy" or "If you eat your vegetables, you'll grow up and be strong. That actually says little for your child.Instead, it helps to say, 'Eggplant makes your memory strong, that's why you can remember those sums so well', or 'You fell on your knee today, carrots help the wound to close and heal'. In this way, the motivation for your child to eat vegetables becomes much more tangible and clear. It is easier to speak of intrinsic motivation; your child wants to eat the vegetables because it is better for him or herself. When you only talk about vegetables being healthy, it often feels like a motivation that the parent wants from him or her.Tip: Download the handy poster 'Colorful vegetables' for free here and hang it up in the kitchen."Then at least eat the vegetables."The evening meal is often the meal that children have the most trouble with, or that parents worry about the most. There is sometimes quite a bit of pressure on dinner. At the same time, your child is tired from the day. In addition, hunger is the biggest motivation for your child to eat. If your child is not very hungry, he or she will not be so quick to eat the vegetables on the plate.To take the pressure off dinner, it is advisable to spread out the times when vegetables are eaten throughout the day. Then your child is less tired, your child will realize more quickly that eating vegetables is neutral and less vegetables need to be eaten at once. In addition, the pressure will be off and eating vegetables will become more light-hearted and relaxed. Then eating vegetables becomes a real treat!More about healthy parentingSometimes reading a few tips is not enough. Sometimes it is nice to have someone think along with you and look at your situation or challenge. After all, every situation and every child is different. From personal support or a course Iris likes to think along with you.For example, a new group of parents will soon start the course 'Raising your toddler healthily'. In this online course you will go through all the important information about raising your young child to eat. Are you curious about this course or do you want to read more about healthy parenting? Go to www.sterkenzoet.nl

The expression "digital media is here to stay" is actually already outdated; today's youth knows no time without the internet and social media. But how you, as a parent, deal with this within your child's education can be difficult and can raise numerous questions:How do you guide your child in a positive way? How do you ensure the right balance between online and offline within the family? What information can you best, or better not, give about social media? What agreements should you make about gaming? How can you help your child if he or she is being bullied online? And what influence do vloggers have?Media educator Jacqueline Kleijer of Bureau Jeugd&Media gives tips and practical tools about all this in this CompaTalks!This CompaTalks takes place on Tuesday, September 7, 20.00-21.00 and is completely free! Please note that webinar is given in Dutch.Register now via: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ogybuXFAQfGDtYRDl0fIdQ 

Every parent with a curious toddler in the house knows that the 'why' and 'how come' questions are part of everyday life. As a parent, you can usually get away with answering 'what do you think?', or you can come up with an answer together with your toddler in an inquisitive way. But as soon as the questions reach the terrain of discomfort, things suddenly become difficult. And this is often the case when it comes to sexual development. Why doesn't mummy have a willy?How should you respond when your toddler wonders where he actually came from? Or why mummy does not have a willy? The key to success in educating toddlers about sexuality is often to keep it simple. But if your answer "From mummy's tummy" gets follow-up questions, then it becomes tricky. Because although children are not yet consciously involved in sexual development, they are very curious about everything around it. And the question "But how did I get into mommy's belly?" is inevitable. It is logical that you are at a loss for words. What you can doLet's start by saying that the curiosity of toddlers, also in this area, has to do with an innate urge to develop. To know. To understand. And that it is also simply a privilege for you as a parent that your toddler wants to collect his knowledge about the big world from you in particular. Of course, this does not mean that you always have to have an answer for everything. So if you have any difficult or uncomfortable questions, don't hesitate to give yourself some time to think. Especially when it comes to subjects like sexual development and education. It's ok to tell your toddler that you think it's a very good question and that you'll come back to it later. And, just know that it will only become easier to talk about all body, sex and sexuality issues later if you are relaxed about it now!What better not to doWhat you shouldn't do is distort the truth. Making up a story to make it easier for yourself will not help your child. Sex education for toddlers can be done in as much or as little detail as you like, but be honest. Babies are not brought by storks and they didn't come out of mum via the bellybutton during birth. Children are entitled to honest information that gives them the right knowledge about the 'how' and 'why'. Does that mean that you have to throw all the truths on the table at once? No, that is absolutely not necessary. During toddlerhood, a simple and not too elaborate answer is often sufficient. But be open. Would you like to know more about the sexual development of children and are you curious about more tips on how to support this development in a good way or tips on how to approach the sexual education of toddlers? Then listen to our podcast (only in Dutch), in which host Amber and coach Laurie tell you all about this topic and discuss listener questions.listen to De Opvoedcast

At the beginning of summer, they stretch out endlessly; those 6 weeks of summer holidays. You notice by everything that it is time for your children (and yourself) to enjoy a nice vacation. The days quickly fill up with things like days out, building huts in the garden, sleepovers, evenings of BBQ'ing and a couple of weeks camping; it's a great time! But before you know it, holidays are over and school and BSO will start again.Getting used to it again It's not just adults who have to adjust after a few weeks' holiday; children also have to get used to the new situation. How do you help your children get a good start after the summer holidays? How do you manage to get up on time again and - more importantly - arrive at school on time? And what if things don't go as smoothly as they should? Or maybe your child is going to school for the first time? The following applies to all of this: Good preparation is half the battle!Clear closureTo end the holiday in style, it is fun to think up a special ritual or activity together that marks the transition from the end of the holiday to the start of the new school year. You can think of baking cookies, making a drawing or going on a day trip together. No doubt your child will have some great ideas of their own. Making this a tradition gives it more meaning and makes it very clear to your child what transitition is involved.Read and talk about itReading about going back to school together can help prepare your child for this transition. You can find specific books about going to school in bookshops and libraries. Reading together about school and going to school and BSO helps your child prepare and gives them the opportunity to ask questions or discuss concerns. Many children are often thinking about the fact that school will start again soon. This way you create space to talk about it and implicitly show your child that it is OK to be preoccupied with it. Rhythm offers restGetting back into the rhythm of school days in time makes getting up early and the stress of the morning rush hour a lot easier to do. By going to bed on time and setting the alarm again in the week before school starts, the rhythm shifts a little and there will be more peace and structure once school starts again.Plan moments of restThe first few weeks back at school can be quite hectic. Everyone has to get used to it again, the first playdates are made, the sport and music lessons start again and there may be homework to be done. You can anticipate this by not overloading the days right away and giving your child the space and rest he needs to start again after those weeks of holiday.Pack your bag It is very practical to check together whether your child has everything he or she needs for school. Is it necessary to buy new gym equipment? Does your child need other materials for school? And has that leaking drinking cup already been replaced? Pack the school and gym bag together, prepare some clothes for the first day and check the bicycle; this way you can let your child start the new school year with peace of mind!

Not many parents/guardians are clear on exactly when and how they should address their child’s sexual education. Many of our sexual norms and values ​​are culturally determined, but each child develops in their own way and at their own pace. And as a parent/guardian you know your own child best. With knowledge of general sexual development and knowledge of your own child’s character, you as a parent/guardian can best determine what behaviour is preferable and permissible and how you can modify it. But where do you start? Here, we take you through the various stages of sexual development. 0-2 yearsIntimacy developmentChild sexuality is aimed at intimacy, so ‘intimacy development’ would actually be a better term here. Affectionate physical contact with people to whom a baby is attached is a basic need in the early years. But be aware of the fact that when you touch a child, it is their body you are touching. You are a guest, even when you are simply giving them a hug. So always do so with respect and only if the child is okay with it.Focus on what is appropriate and whenIn this phase of their life, the whole body is one big tactile zone for children. Just as they discover their own hands and feet, they also discover their genitals. They sense that this feels different than, for example, their thighs, and that some things feel good. Slowly but surely they develop the intellect to also remember where that nice spot is and will then look for it. Feeling and discovering it themselves is completely normal and age-related. They just don’t understand when it is appropriate to do this. Therefore, sex education at this stage should focus on when things are and are not appropriate. 2-4 yearsObserve objectivelyChildren this age are extra curious. And that curiosity also applies to their own body and those of others. They look at each other, touch each other and notice differences. At this stage, this kind of behaviour carries no sexual undertones with it. What ultimately does give it weight is the message that we, as adults, send in the way we respond to it. Children then sense that there is something special about it, which makes it more interesting. What’s more, from this period onwards, children discover that boys are boys and girls are girls. They draw distinctions between each other, and gender role behaviour begins to develop.Penises and vaginasLanguage is an important thing and it is during this period, when children learn to talk, that the foundations are laid for later. Pedagogic expert Annemiek Waage advocates the use of a clear name for genitals from the very first moment. So boys have a penis and girls have a vagina. We also need to be aware of how we talk about things like this. Toddlers are just learning to talk and are well aware that language is important. They also realise that dirty words have a different effect than ordinary words because of the reaction they get from adults. This doesn’t just apply to words though; it also applies unconsciously to body language or pitch. When children notice that they get a response to a certain word, that piques their interest and therefore they say it again. 4-6 yearsSneaking a lookOnce at primary school, your child will face a different environment, where it’s no longer possible to just walk around with buttocks bared and to touch each other. However, children are very eager to learn and will find other ways to satisfy their curiosity. For example, they will hide behind a wall to look at each other. After all, this behaviour is not deemed acceptable within the teacher’s field of vision, so by doing it this way they are still falling within what they believe is standard behaviour, namely not doing it in public.Talk about it openly, honestly and clearlyYou can explain how things work to children, even with pictures, but they won't really understand at this age. At this stage in their life, children do not comprehend that there was a moment in time when they weren’t around; they are under the assumption that they were always in their mother's womb. Nevertheless, it is important to be open about this subject. Understanding comes naturally and talking about it honestly is essential for the vibe of, and confidence for, later conversations. 6-8 yearsIn love for the first timeChildren this age do not fully understand everything yet, which is why their imaginations run wild. They get confused between what they imagine and what they actually comprehend. Now, they mainly observe and register everything: what we do and say, how we behave. Slowly but surely, they turn their attention more and more to others and romantic love starts to play a role. Although (most) children do not act upon this yet, they are well aware that being in love is a different feeling than friendship. As adults, we must therefore also take this seriously. Don’t talk about it, unsolicited, with other people and don't make fun of it.I know a joke, two tits in an envelopeChildren now have fun with sexually oriented jokes and games, such as playing doctor or spin the bottle. This is okay, it is part of this phase in their life, but be sure to agree on what is and what is not allowed. Continue to talk openly and honestly with your child during this time as well. For example, if they have made a drawing of genitalia, discuss whether it really looks like this. 8-10 yearsPre-pubertyIf children fall in love now, they will behave accordingly. They will also assume clearer gender roles. Boys and girls form separate groups and adhere to the learned norms and values. They want more physical contact and start to masturbate.Also, although children will not (in retrospect) call themselves homosexual at this age, they do know that being in love feels different for them than for others. As adults, we therefore have a responsibility not to joke about homosexuality, for example. After all, we want to create a safe environment for our children.  10-12 yearsSudden prudishness and a lot to learnThe body is now developing more. This is faster in girls than in boys, but emotional development lags behind physical development for both genders. Interest in sexuality as we know it as adults is growing. Although it may seem like your child already knows and understands a lot, this is not yet so. At this point it can help to offer books or videos to your child. It also helps if the family is always free to talk about it and there is an open, honest and safe environment to do so. Nevertheless, at this age your child will suddenly become prudish and the bathroom door will be locked. This reserve will disappear later, but it is important to give your child space and respect. For example, knock on the door before entering their room.Chats and agreementsDiscuss with your child what they think is normal and be sure to have simple chats on a regular basis, so that you make conversations with each other easy. By talking normally about sexuality, you make it normal for your child. And it becomes easier to talk about with each other. Just as you agree that you can’t pick your nose at the dining table, but you can in bed, you can also make agreements about sexual things. It is normal behaviour, and we as adults, need to give our children direction on this.

Whether you're good at hockey, swimming, archery or athletics; it's all there (and more!) during the Olympic Games. This year the Olympic Games are not only in Tokyo, but also at CompaNanny. Because this year the BSO Summer programme is all about the CompaLympics!The CompaLympicsAt the BSO's it's all about the Olympics for 6 weeks. Our Nannies organise different kinds of activities and games, just like the Olympic Games. Moving and discovering different sports and cultures plays a central role. Why exercise is importantThat sport and exercise are good for the motor development and physical health of children is nothing new. During movement, three quarters of all brain cells are active and involved. Not only to control the muscles, but also to communicate with the senses and each other. This ensures that exercise álso has a positive influence on the social, emotional and cognitive development of children!The effect of movement on developmentExercise is good for memory, attention, understanding and learning. This is because our brains are sensitive to the positive effects of movement and this affects the cognitive functions of the brain. For example, exercise literally enlarges the hippocampus, which is very important for memory, just as much in children as with adults. And because the heart pumps blood faster through their body when they move, the brain receives more oxygen, which in turn is very good for their concentration! And did you know that exercise helps children to express themselves and work together better? Exercise also increases their self-esteem and self-confidence. When children exercise, this also affects the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone. So by exercising children sleep well and have a better sleep rhythm. Exercise also causes the release of happiness hormones in our brains and this makes everyone happier! The Summer ProgrammeTo make sure that the children at the BSO get as much exercise as possible this summer (and to let them benefit from the advantages of movement), various activities are offered during the Summer Programme. These are diverse activities with something fun for everyone. Children can get in touch with different kinds of sports and games, which they have not yet experienced. In this way, they learn new things! Or they may recognise certain activities because they match their own interests. In both ways, children's curiosity is aroused, their creativity stimulated and they can develop their own identity. With this Summer Programme we ensure that the holiday period is not only fun, but also good for development!View the summer programme  Read more about play & activities

Our location Rembrandtlaan has been nominated for the NRP Gulden Feniks!A national prize for renovation and transformation.The location in Voorburg, in the former 'Opstandingskerk' has indeed undergone a true transformation, from church to childcare. Since 2020, the building has functioned as daycare and after-school care. The design of the groups is typical of CompaNanny, but at the same time the original design of the church can still be seen everywhere. Read more about this wonderful nomination of which we are so proud! See location Rembrandtlaan

Professor of Neuropsychology Erik Scherder and Neuropsychologist & Orthopedagogue Diana Smidts explain, based on scientific research and new insights, the positive effect of movement & (outdoor) play on the development of the children's brain. They give practical tips on how you as a parent can contribute to a good development of the brain of young children and what the role of childcare is in this.

Dermatology Q&A - 3 juni, 20.00-21.00u Register for this webinar Doctor Daniel Kadouch works as a MD and PhD dermatologist at Centrum Oosterwal in Alkmaar.As a doctor Daniel gets a lot of questions about the skin, and he likes to share his knowledge and experience about healing and protecting the skin with you! As a dermatologist he also knows that sunburn in childhood significantly increases the risk of skin cancer later in life. And as a father of three young children, he knows the challenges parents face when protecting their kids from the sun. That’s why he is committed to helping parents in various ways.The CompaTalks on Thursday, June 3rd is a live Q&A with Daniel! After Daniel has shared a bit of his knowledge, experience and mission, you can ask him all your questions about skin this evening. Does your child suffer from eczema, or did strange spots appear recently? Or are you wondering about sunburns with babies? Maybe you have a question about your own skin? There is plenty of time to answer everyone's skin-related questions!

CompaNanny now has its own podcast: De Opvoedcast !A podcast especially made for all parents who are so overwhelmed with advice that they can no longer see the wood for the trees. A helpline, for all your questions about parenting and child development.Based on questions submitted by listeners, coaches Amber and Laurie discuss practical tips, valuable insights and useful facts. For example, about why your baby can't fall asleep without you, why your toddler insists on doing everything himself, why giving time-outs is pointless and how best to start with potty training. We give the answers!All based on our knowledge and experience educational experts, on scientific research and on the working methods of childcare organisation CompaNanny. Listen in every two weeks and get inspired about everything you encounter in raising your child(ren).Read more about De Opvoedcast and learn about the episodes, or listen directly via Spotify or Apple Podcasts!Read moreListen on SpotifyListen on Apple Podcasts

We would like to share te following good news. From now on CompaNanny is the new owner of Kinderopvang Kids & Zo. It concerns three locations in Amsterdam beautifully located in the City Center, in East (Amstel) and in the Baarsjes in West. Quality is key to both organizations; for children, parents and employees. We do, however, put that quality into practice in various ways and we distinguish ourselves in different elements. But at the core of both companies we want the best for parents, children and employees. This provides a solide base and forms the foundation for the future. We are very proud and look forward to the coming period in which we, together with our new colleagues from Kids & Zo, will be able to work on providing the best care for parents and children. More information about these locations will be posted on our website soon, as well as the possibility to register at one of them. Want to know what other Amsterdam neighbourhoods we are in? Check out our location page!To locations in Amsterdam

Daylight saving time (DST) is almost here! Which means it is easier to get up, but harder to fall asleep. Why? Because our body’s internal clock revolves around daylight.Simply keeping the same schedule when putting your child to bed will not, unfortunately, work. Because the hormones in the body that regulate sleep are still in tune with wintertime, and it takes one week (on average) for children to get used to the new times. So here are some tips to help make this process easier. Tips Make sure your child gets enough sleep during the day (especially in advance) Open the curtains straight away in the morning, so that the natural light comes in Go outside first thing each morning and be sure to get some exercise early on In the evenings, create a dark environment inside, to follow your routine by drawing the (blackout) curtains and dimming the lights; dusk activates the sleep hormone Also remember to adjust your mealtimes to DST as soon as possible, as the digestive system is linked to sleep rhythm Pay attention to the bedtime ritual and pay extra attention to your child’s sleep signals Step-by-stepIf your child is really having a great deal of trouble adjusting their sleep rhythm to DST, then you could also work towards it in steps: Shift their bedtime by 10-30 minutes each day (depending on your child’s age and tiredness). For example: If your child normally always goes to bed at 7:30 pm but can’t get to sleep earlier than 8:30 pm after DST has come into effect, then put your child to bed at 8:15pm the first evening, at 8:00 pm the day after that and so on until you have worked your way back to their usual bedtime. And last but not leastRemember that every child is different and reacts differently. Be flexible, even with yourself, and don’t worry if it takes a little more time. Ultimately, your child will always make up for any lack of sleep they experience. Would you like to find out more about sleep signals, bedtime rituals and how to ensure a good sleeping environment? Then read our other blog or book a visit to ask all your questions. Read blog request a tour

Communication starts long before a baby can talk. A baby’s first form of language is crying, which is the most efficient way to connect. Your baby uses different cries to try and convey exactly what is going on. But what else can you expect with regards to your baby’s language and communication? Here, we guide you through the different phases of language development. Two to three monthsAt around two months old, your baby will start using sounds. They begin to train the tongue and jaw muscles by making vowel-like sounds such as “ooh” and “aah”. When your baby is about three months old, he or she get progressively better at actively seeking, or stopping, contact with you. They do this by looking at you and by lowering their eyes or turning their head.During this initial period, it is very important for your baby’s emotional security and growth to cuddle and stroke them often. Talking to him or her a lot also makes them feel calm and instils confident. For example, explain what you are doing while changing their nappy.  Four monthsAs they reach four months of age, your baby will make more and more new cooing sounds, as different guttural sounds expand and your child practices with his voice. By talking back to your baby and responding to their cooing sounds, your baby will become comfortable with communication and you will stimulate their language development.Around this period your child will also recognise faces well. Furthermore, it is increasingly important to use a lot of facial expressions in your interaction with your baby, as your baby will learn to understand emotions from this.  Five monthsFrom the age of five months, the sounds your baby makes become more consistent and varied. The sequences get longer (think: “babaababa”), because the jaw muscles, tongue muscles and vocal cords become stronger and they are practicing hard for speaking with words later on. Your baby will now remember and reapply any new sounds that they make, too. They will also recognise voices well now.Interact with your child a lot; this helps them learn to communicate with others and they become familiar with the social nature of language. During this interaction, be sure to also give your baby time to respond to you when you smile or talk to them.  Six monthsAt around the age of six months, your baby starts to communicate progressively better with sounds. While crying is still the most effective means of communication, your baby is also practicing facial expressions, gestures and sounds. Babies are increasingly conscious of actively seeking contact in every possible way. By laughing, reaching out with their arms, blowing raspberries, moving their tongue and lips, and sputtering and cooing.There will be more variations in the noises your baby can produce by allowing their muscles, vocal cords and breathing to work together. The sounds are also becoming clearer and more attuned to adults. As a result, they start to sound more and more like words in the mother tongue.  Seven monthsFrom about seven months, babies start to hear even more distinctions in the tone you use in your speech. They can now recognise whether you are happy, surprised or angry. Your baby will also manage to produce different pitches and volume levels.Around this age, children also develop a sense of attachment and become clingy, which means your baby prefers to be around mum or dad all the time. Even you walking to the other side of the room can cause them to cry greatly, because your baby thinks you have left them for good. And your child will not understand you when you explain in words that you will be coming back, because they are not sufficiently trained in language and communication to do so yet. But you can practice with this by, for example, playing peek-a-boo games. By doing so, you will help your child to reduce their separation anxiety in a playful way.  Eight monthsAround eight months of age, your baby really starts to practice communication in a socially accepted way. They listen when you talk and babble themselves as you listen. By listening, your child becomes increasingly familiar with language. Children increasingly do their best to imitate your sounds, which then stimulates them to produce even more sounds.Repeat the sounds your child makes yourself; this stimulates them to try even more sounds. Talk a lot with your child yourself, so that they come into contact with different sounds and can practice interaction. Read lots of books with simple words and pictures and do so on a regular, repetitive basis. This will help your child connect words with images.  Nine monthsBabbling with two-syllable sounds continues to develop and by about nine months, most children have their own words for familiar people or things. They point to a person or object and say a sound, and they will always use that sound for that same person or object. By mentioning the name of the person or object, you will teach your child to make the connection with that word. For example, by saying: “Do you want your dummy/pacifier?”At around this age, babies also gain more control over the muscles in their face and therefore spend a lot of time practicing facial expressions. They test these expressions with their environment and learn through the reactions of those around them to understand which expressions go with which emotions.  Ten to eleven monthsMost ten-month-olds still can’t say many intelligible words, but they already understand much more than adults often think. They are still occupied with practicing sounds and noises, and the sounds and noises that they make are more and more like the speech of adults. They are no longer gibberish, but are clear tones and speech sounds. Your child will often imitate you in the sounds you make and also mimic lip sounds such as “brrr”. Perhaps they will also start singing along to music at this stage. Not with words yet of course, but with melodic sounds and different tones and volume levels.Around the age of eleven months, your child’s ability to concentrate expands and they also start to use long-term memory more often. This will be evident in them having less interest in the repetition of sounds and more interest in new sounds. Your child will often listen attentively to people talking. By doing so, they will learn words and the patterns of a language. It becomes increasingly easy for them to remember which words have what meaning, what the intonation of each word is and how they themselves should use the word.  Twelve monthsYour child's vocabulary expands tremendously during the twelve month period, particularly in the form of sounds. A number of children start with their first words, often an easy-to-pronounce word that refers to something familiar, such as "mommy," "daddy".It is important to practice and repeat words. You may find that your child also feels the need to hear the same book or music every time, this is training language, vocabulary and long-term memory for children. Also, name more and more words of things that are pointed out by your child and talk to your child a lot yourself, this way your child will practice linking words to objects and people and will start to understand more words.Would you like to know more about how we at CompaNanny deal with language development and communicating with your child? Read more or request a tour, without obligation.Read more request a tour

The main focus in parenting these days is on positive contact and language. Which includes giving your child plenty of compliments. And so, with today being National Compliment Day, we are taking this opportunity to talk about paying compliments to your child. Why you should compliment your childCompliments stimulate positive behaviour and self-esteem in a child. On the one hand, your child will behave in a certain manner more often when they notice that they are getting approval and appreciation for it. On the other, approval and appreciation also increases your child’s self-esteem. And when your child feels confident, they will easier dare to attempt things, they will be more likely to have the courage to push boundaries by looking for the next challenge, and they will be more likely to involve other children. All of which are good for their development.Without this confidence, children (just like adults) do not dare to embark on something new and are more likely to give up, because they are convinced that they will fail. Compliments also provide insight into themselves and the world around them, which is important when it comes to growing up to become a resilient and self-confident individual! Can you give too many compliments?Focusing on what your child is doing right is better than focusing on what your child is doing wrong, right? That’s why we, as adults, tend to shine a light on every time a child succeeds, every time a child listens well, or every time a child shows courage. After all, you want to let every child feel that they can become whatever they want, from a hairdresser to an astronaut to an artist. But where is the line between reacting positively and complimenting excessively?Research shows that excessive compliments are counterproductive. Especially when your child does not have much self-esteem to begin with. Excessive compliments place high expectations on them, which children then feel that they must continuously meet. Ultimately, this leads to them avoiding challenges. Which means they do not push boundaries and do not develop to their optimal ability. Giving lots of compliments can also mean that children no longer value a compliment or that they become dependent on them.However, if children receive few, or no, compliments, they will eventually start to question themselves because they are never told that they are doing well. And therefore, it is difficult to find a good balance. A process-oriented, product-oriented or person-oriented complimentProcess-oriented compliments concern the commitment and effort that a child shows. Product-oriented compliments mainly focus on the result and the accomplishment. Person-centred compliments emphasise the personal qualities of a child, such as intelligence, friendliness or talent.Research shows that when you give a person-oriented or product-oriented compliment, for example “You’re so clever!” or “That went well”, children do not gain more self-esteem. In fact, it can cause them to become insecure and more focused on possible failure. As a result, they will not choose to do things that they can learn from, but things they are already good at. Which ultimately will thwart their development.However, when children are complimented on their behaviour, commitment and effort, for example “You’ve really done your best”, their self-esteem actually increases. They aren’t upset by the fact that something didn’t work out; they are happy because they get approval and appreciation for their endeavours. These children are more inclined to take on harder challenges, with the belief that they will eventually succeed. It doesn’t matter if something doesn’t work out, because the focus is on their efforts. And this also stimulates resilience.  The best way to compliment Give a compliment at that moment in time, and not later. This ensures that your child understands what the compliment is for and they can link the exact situation and behaviour to it. It is difficult for young children to recall a situation, and therefore the compliment will lose some of its value. Only give a compliment if it is sincere. Don’t compliment for the sake of it. Constant complimenting about something, regardless of whether your child is doing well or has put a lot of effort into it, is not effective. Children will then only behave in a certain way for the purpose of being complimented, while it is better if they are intrinsically motivated to do something. They will also attach less value to subsequent compliments. Give a substantive compliment. So, don’t say “Well done!” or “Good job!”, but highlight exactly what you think is good. This ensures that your child will understand exactly what they are being shown appreciation for with your compliment and they know exactly what it is that they are evidently doing well. Paying your child a substantive compliment also means you are showing them respect, as “Well done!” or “Good job!” can sometimes come across as patronising. Give a descriptive compliment that is without judgment. For example: “You can play with so many different children”, instead of “How nice that you asked him to play too”. This means that you prevent your child from becoming dependent on your judgment and developing a sense of not being good enough as they are. Give your child a chance to compliment themselves by asking what they think of their behaviour in a particular situation. That way, you teach your child to recognise these moments and to appreciate themselves instead of needing to take all the appreciation from others. Always give a compliment without making any remarks. For example, by adding “…wish you always did that” after the compliment. It nullifies the positive effect of the compliment.   If you’d like to find out more about how we approach compliments at our childcare centre, then feel free to come and take a look. Please get in touch to request a tour. REQUEST A TOUR

Spending a lot of time at home with the kids is certainly cosy, but it can also be a challenge. So how can you fill up your days in a meaningful way when you are at home with your child(ren)? CompaNanny's team of Pedagogic Coaches is more than happy to provide practical suggestions and tips. Each week we will update this page with new activities, so watch this space! Daily routine Making a daily schedule can help provide structure and a sense of tranquillity, both for yourself and for your child(ren). Whether they are at CompaNanny or at school each day, your child is already used to this sort of structure, so the transition will most likely be a smooth one. What can help when it comes to creating a sense of calm in the house is to agree upon a ‘work zone’ and a ‘play zone’ with each other. This gives children clarity and freedom and can prevent exasperation. Click here for an example of a daily schedule, and here for a blank daily schedule that you can fill in yourself. How to teach your child to play independently, and how to let them do so You don’t need to entertain your child(ren) all day long, as it is very valuable to know how to play independently. For example: it helps build self-confidence, creativity and problem-solving skills. Some children are able to play independently for a while more easily than others, but all children can learn how to do it. Here are some tips to teach/let your child play independently: Specify that it is time for your child to play on their own (“It’s time for independent play” or something similar). Be sure to also specify what you yourself will be doing during that time. Also be sure to let your child(ren) know when the independent playtime has ended and an activity can be done together. Stay available. Give your child the space to play independently, so do not sit close to them, but do remain in sight. For example: sit at the table or on the sofa and do your own tasks/thing, such as sending an email, folding laundry, etc. Connect with your child now and then with a look or a nod, by looking at something they are doing or naming it. It is best if you do this if/when your child seeks out contact themself. If your child is engrossed in their game, don’t do anything (except watch and enjoy or do some work of your own etc). Have faith in your child and give them the time to start playing independently. Simply figuring out how to get started is a valuable process as your child learns how to choose and start their own game. Practice regularly. The vast majority of children get progressively better at independent play as they get older. This is because their ability to concentrate increases. Yet it is a skill that will be much more evident if a child can practice it regularly. Inspiration for activities at home This list will be updated each week with new activities per age group. Activities for babies aged 0-2 years: Blowing bubbles Hickory Dickory Dock Cold / Warm bottle Sensory Bags Getting to know ‘sand’ Smelling Parade Handbag Rockstar Baby bootcamp Laundry basket fun Water feast Painting with your whole body Grabbing Playing with rags Activities for toddlers aged 2-4 years: Collecting branches Painting with different materials Nature sensory bag Interactive children’s books Combining animal pictures Playing with sand or rice An own 'skating rink' Walking over the iceberg Activity jar Stamping with toilet rolls Feeling trial Rolling with the bal Natural Mandalas Feeding the birds Do it yourself Spongy constructions Milking cows Sssst what do I hear? Activities for children aged 4-12 years: Thumb piano Dreamcatchers Christmas Photo Challenge Making Christmas cards Hide and Seek in the dark Making way for/Replacing toys Make a music stick Make a light projector Wooden hearts Create your own board game Clay challenge Find the differences Camping at home Making egg muffins Pen Can Chalk art Dot art Snowman throwing Writing a name poem Healthy and tasty animal-shaped vegetable pizzas This e-book (in Dutch), has templates and recipes that you can use to make tasty and healthy pizzas at home like true pizza chefs! Which ones will you and your kids make? Share your creation(s) on social media with the hashtag: #MagionixCompaNannypizza CompaNanny on YouTube Have you come across our YouTube channel yet? Here you will find videos made by our very own team, in which we encourage children to exercise and inspire their creativity. Check out the CompaNanny Kids YouTube channel!

We are proud to announce that we will open a new location in March 2021: CompaNanny Archipel, on the Burgemeester van Karnebeeklaan in The Hague. The historic building dates back to 1880 and is currently transformed into a childcare location where we will offer Nursery. We are really looking forward to opening this new location and welcome new children and parents/guardians here next year! More about CompaNanny Archipel

During CompaTalks we share the most current visions and trends in the field of child development and child education. We give internal and external experts an (online) platform to share their inspiring stories and thoughts with us. During the last CompaTalk at the end of November, pedagogue Annemiek Waage talked about the sexual development of children aged 0 to 13 years. Research shows that the importance of good sexual development has a major effect on the development of the brain. Experience shows that sexual development is not often talked about, while many parents/guardians and pedagogic employees still have many questions about (sexual) behaviour of children

We are proud to announce that, as of 1 January 2021, CompaNanny is the new owner of Koningskinderen Daycare. It concerns five branches in Oosterbeek and Renkum. Koningskinderen was founded in 2002 and has grown into an important provider of Childcare and After School Care in Oosterbeek and Renkum. Koningskinderen stands for quality  care, personal interest and involvement, and following your heart. We look forward to the coming period in which we, together with our new colleagues from Koningskinderen, will be working on providing the best childcare to children and parents/guardians.

Screen time and media use among children are popular themes in our digital society. These are subjects that include a lot questions when it comes to the upbringing of children. In fact, more questions are asked about his, than about sleeping and nutrition. Therefore, we take you into research on this subject and list some tips. It is also definitely worthwhile discussing this together because, in doing so, you can help guide your child in their use of digital media from the get-go.  Positive effects of digital media useDue to the rapidly growing range, and frequent use, of digital media among adults and children, there has been a great deal of research carried out about the topic. There are studies on numbers: how often and for how long do children look at a screen? But in recent years, there have been more and more studies on the consequences screen time has on the development of children. Something that many parents/guardians are curious about.There are some studies that have shown that a lot of screen time has a negative effect on development, while other studies have not found any significant effect. What’s more, other studies have shown that young children can learn logical reasoning and cognitive skills from videos. Research has also shown that the use of a touchscreen by young children is connected to fine motor development, such as a child’s ability to stack blocks or hold a pencil  2,5 hours screen time per dayYoung children (0-6 years of age) look at a screen for an average of 1 hour and 45 minutes a day. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, this has increased to an average of 2.5 hours a day. Due to the unusual circumstances and being at home more this year, parents/guardians have become less strict.In the Netherlands, 80% of all parents/guardians wonder how much screen time is healthy for their child. Perhaps you do too. And just as many parents/guardians wonder what they can provide their child as an alternative to media use. At the same time, 84% are also happy that they can sometimes fall back on a screen to keep their child occupied. On the one hand, media use brings serenity to family life, but on the other hand, most parents/guardians would prefer their child do other things than stare at a screen. Many parents/guardians struggle with a good balance. Healthy screen timeIt is difficult to determine exactly what is considered healthy with regards to maximum time on a screen. One specialist says a maximum of 10 minutes, while another says a maximum of an hour. There is no official advice on this matter available yet. After all, families and children also differ. It is therefore important that you, as a parent/guardian, assess what is good for your child. A guideline here can be to pay attention to when your child is no longer concentrating on the screen; that is a good indicator that it is time for another activity. This is how you find a good balanceIt’s quite normal to find it difficult determining what is healthy media use for your child. You are not alone and in this modern society there are screens everywhere, which does not make it easier to find a good balance. Remember: if you want your child to cut down on their screen time and media use, it doesn’t have to be done in one fell swoop. Try it step by step. And perhaps the following tips will help you further: Be a good example: The time that you, as a parent/guardian, spend behind a screen reflects on your child’s screen time. Children see and copy your behaviour. And by looking at mum and dad, they learn what’s normal. Therefore, make sure you limit your own screen time. This way you are a good role model and you instantly actively create more quality time with your child. Also be aware of your reactions to something you watch or do together. If you are very disappointed with the unsuccessful completion of a game, or react with shock to a video, your child will adopt the same reactions. Ensure variety: Try to encourage your child to move around all the time instead of sitting in front of a screen. Movement is essential for the healthy physical development of your child. It is therefore better to have a Pikler Triangle (small climbing frame) in the room than to give your child their own tablet. You can also make sure that screen time is just one of the things you do at home, rather than being the main activity. For example, blow bubbles or go outside together at other times; let your child play, read or dance on their own; put on a children’s playlist and let them sing along with it; or put on an audiobook. Make agreements: By making agreements it is clear to everyone what is and what is not acceptable, and you will avoid difficult moments, such as taking your child away from the screen. As well as making agreements about how long your child can spend on certain digital media, also be sure to agree upon which times and which videos/games you find suitable. It is also important to be clear with young children who aren’t able to speak yet. They understand more than you think, so be clear about the situation. In addition, help your child prepare to end the activity. Young children have no sense of time yet, so give them fair warning, both five minutes in advance and two minutes in advance. Do it together: Firstly, this way you can keep an eye on what your child is doing online and prevent any unwanted media use. In addition, it is good for the development of your child if you react to what is happening and talk about what you see. For example, ask questions, name (new) words or point out something in a video to your child that they had not yet noticed. Do a dance if that is also done in the video or make an association to the real world, for example: ‘We also have a tree in our garden, look!’ Choose consciously: Media with lots of colour, movement and sound is extremely attractive, yet not all videos or games are equally suitable. Do not pay attention to labels such as ‘educational’; for young children, everything is still educational and there is no such thing as ‘real education like the one they receive at school’. Furthermore: pay attention to whether the media matches your child’s interests and development phase. Make sure your child recognises aspects and can associate them with their own daily life. In addition to that, provide repetition. Young children especially enjoy repetition; they learn from it. At CompaNanny, children do not use tablets, but we do pay attention to different activities that match the needs of each child. Read more about play & activities

We will continue to make it possible to physically visit our locations for a guided tour, but for some of our locations we have also created a digital 360° tour. With this 360° tour, you can take a digital walk through the location. We have added information about the group, for example about the toys in the baby groups and about the activities at the After School Care. You can find the link to the 360° ​​tours on the page of that specific location.  

Since the summer of 2019, all the childcare locations of ‘t Hazeltje in Haarlem have been operating as part of CompaNanny, under the name ‘Hazeltje by CompaNanny’. As of 1 January 2021, all locations will officially be named ‘CompaNanny’.

Much more than adults, children live in the here and now. While we constantly have our busy schedules in mind, children just think about what is happening right now. And while young urban professionals take a mindfulness course to find themselves, children are completely absorbed in the moment. Children subconsciously lives very consciously. Children experience daily activities as separate parts of the day. It is difficult to imagine a day as a whole at a young age. Only after a lot of repetition does a child recognize situations and associate those with each other. When specific moments during the day are repeated, a child builds knowledge and experience in that. This way, recognizing what is to come, becomes easier. A child then slowly learns to anticipate.  The ritual of dinnerAs adults, we incorporate all sorts of rituals and structures in our daily actions. Much more than we think. However, we tend to be unaware of said patterns because we do them automatically. Think of washing your hands after using the toilet, lean back when you have finished your food, do groceries at the same store every time, or listen to a certain song while cleaning your house. We also tend to use the same objects in specific situations.Children copy this. A child starts associating certain materials and structures with specific situations. An example of this that recurs daily is mealtime, which is comprised of all sorts of rituals. For instance, we eat at the same time every day, we smell scents of food being prepared, we set the table in advance, wash our hands before we sit down, and put the food on our plates before we start eating. All these structures, the use of certain materials, and even the smell of food, alert your child that it is time to eat. Recognition creates securityBy sticking to a fixed order in the day and especially in certain situations, your child learns to recognize the recurring daily events. This recognition gives him or her a sense of security. Because they can trust themselves and their environment. Only when a child feels secure can he or she focus on what is happening around them. And only then will a child develop. Children are still learning to properly filter the millions of stimuli that come in at the same time. We grown ups, do this unconsciously, partly because our brain already knows what is important and what not. But for children, everything is new. So when there are certain moments that recur every day and are largely the same, the input of new stimuli is much less. Predictability prevents overstimulationPredictability, fixed rituals and repetition therefore ensure peace and quiet, and prevent a child from becoming overstimulated. That is why we at CompaNanny maintain a fixed daily routine for children. It is also the reason that we continuously talk with children and describe everything during the day. The sound of the garbage truck outside, the behaviour of other children, what will happen later, and what we are doing at this moment. So talking to your child is not only useful for their language development. It is also important for their sense of rest and security. Does your child need predictability?How important predictability is for a child, differs per individual. After all, every child has a different temperament. It can be said however, that young children are more sensitive to changes and unpredictability than older children. This is because an older child already has a lot more knowledge about the world and its immediate environment. As a result, he or she is able to place an unexpected event in a familiar and understandable framework much faster. This is how you create predictabilityWhen you notice that your child is restless or overstimulated, it can help to introduce fixed rituals, or being more consistent with the existing ones. This can be done, for example, by always singing the same song before mealtime, or to always read a book before going to bed. Moreover, it can be very helpful for children if you announce a change or activity some time in advance. For example, announce that you will be heading upstairs to brush their teeth in 10 minutes, and then repeat the announcement 5 minutes in advance. To be able to properly assess what your child needs in this, it is important to watch them and listen to them carefully and respond accordingly. Want to know what kind of daily routine we maintain at CompaNanny or how we ensure predictability? Read more about our methods or request a tour!Request a Tour

At CompaNanny, the safety of the children, parents/guardians and employees is paramount. To ensure the safety at our locations during COVID-19, we explicitly follow the advice and guidelines of the Dutch government, the RIVM and the GGD. Therefore, we have adapted our working method to the current safety measures. This page contains all the Frequently Asked Questions and answers about the COVID-19 virus. Find out more about our measures due to COVID-19

What a celebration: we welcomed our 1,000th employee at CompaNanny! When Rachelle entered the location in the morning, not suspecting anything, she was welcomed by the whole team, including our General Manager. She was surprised with flowers, a cake, balloons and even a red carpet. Of course, we are very happy with all of our other 999 employees and beautiful moments should be celebrated. Welcome Rachelle!

How do you deal with your child's frustrations and anger outbursts? The guidance of a temperamental child requires a great deal of insight into how the child is put together, what patterns play a role and what the children needs. Eva Bronsveld, speaker, trainer and writer in the field of upbringing and education, helps parents and professionals to make life or work with children (even) easier and more fun. The negative side that causes difficulties will disappear into the background, creating more room for the positive side. Do you want to have more influence on daily situations and experience less frustration and anger? Sign up for free! This CompaTalks takes place on Tuesday, October 5, 20.00-21.00 hours! Sign up now via: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QARJOemsT-6wU2w5SiY7SQ