The difference between a horizontal and a vertical group
The main difference between a horizontal and a vertical group is the age of the children in the group. In a horizontal group, all children are the same age, while in a vertical group children of different ages are together. Below, we explain what this looks like in practice.
What is a horizontal group?
A horizontal group means that your child is in a group with other children of the same age. All children are in roughly the same stage of development. Most childcare centres have a baby group with children aged 0 to 2 and a toddler group with children aged 2 to 4. In some cases, there is also a separate young toddler group for children aged 1 to 2.
The advantages of a horizontal group:
- The same daily routine. Because the children are in the same stage of life, they need the same amount of rest and challenge. Following the same daily routine strengthens the group feeling.
- More peers. The children are on the same wavelength and can enjoy playing together. Think of working together and sharing toys.
- Social skills. As an extension of this, children learn from each other’s communication, because the interaction is equal.
- Specialised professionals. Each group is supported by Pedagogical Professionals who have specific knowledge of children within a certain age range.
- Age-appropriate setting. The interior and play materials are tailored to the children’s developmental stage. This provides both enough challenge and enough calm.
- Age-focused activities. Because all children are the same age, it’s easy to offer activities that match their development. This keeps children engaged and helps them enjoy activities even more.
What is a vertical group?
In a vertical group, children aged 0 to 4 are together. Babies and toddlers all share the same space. This means there are different developmental stages, needs and daily routines within one group.
The advantages of a vertical group:
- Learning from each other. Younger children learn from older children, and older children learn to take the younger ones into account.
- Brothers and sisters together. Because the ages vary, siblings often end up in the same group, which gives a familiar and reassuring feeling.
- Familiar spaces and faces. Usually, your child stays in the same room for four years and is guided by the same Pedagogical Employees. This feels safe and familiar.
- The development of friendships. Because children stay together in the same group for a longer period of time, friendships form more quickly.
The groups at CompaNanny
At CompaNanny, we mainly work with horizontal groups: baby groups and toddler groups, and at some branches combined young toddler–toddler groups. This way, every child can take part in activities and play with materials that suit their development. For example, toddlers are offered a challenging environment without having to take baby safety into account. In addition, each group is supported by a Pedagogical Professional with expertise in that specific age group.
We design our groups around the different stages of development:
Baby group:
- Playpens to play in
- Cradles for the youngest babies to sleep in
- Balls that babies can grab themselves
- A crawling box to crawl over
- Stacking towers to play with
Toddler group:
- A dress-up corner for imaginative or role play
- A climbing triangle to scramble on
- More complex building materials, such as Kapla
- Household items to imitate adults
- Set up to offer more challenge for the children
This approach creates calm, clarity and a strong sense of group belonging. It also allows our Pedagogical Professionals to respond well to the developmental needs of each individual child.
Experience our groups for yourself?
Are you curious about what our groups are like and would you like to see the different rooms? You’re very welcome to come and take a look at a CompaNanny location near you.
