School principal Ilse van den Bemt and the Kober unit manager Ilona Martens on the new collaboration

After the summer holidays, De Hasselbraam will start working with Kober childcare. According to director Ilse van den Bemt, this is a logical step. “We want every child to feel seen and supported. This works best when education and childcare align well. In Kober, we have found a partner who shares the same view on children and their development.”

One trusted place for children
From Kober's perspective, the collaboration also feels fitting. Unit Manager Ilona Martens explains: “We deliberately seek collaboration with schools and other partners in the neighborhood. This way, we can do more for children and parents together.”

What will children notice about this? Mainly peace and familiarity, says Ilse. “For them, it feels more like one place. The transition between school and childcare becomes smaller.” Ilona adds: “We are furnishing the spaces warmly and invitingly, so that children quickly feel at home and can be themselves.”

Together for the best start
The collaboration is also a step towards a larger goal. Ilse: “We are working towards a child center. A place where education and childcare truly work together and where there is continuity in children’s development.” Kober brings experience to this. “We are already doing this in several locations in the region and work closely with schools, municipalities, and other partners,” says Ilona.

Things will soon become much clearer for parents. After the summer holidays, Kober will start offering toddler care and out-of-school care at De Hasselbraam. “Everything will be closer together,” says Ilse. “That makes contact easier and keeps lines of communication short.”

Both are particularly looking forward to the benefits for the children. “Together we create a pleasant and safe place,” says Ilse. “Where every child can develop.” Ilona nods: “If we strengthen each other, children and parents benefit directly. That is what we do it for.”

We will start with toddler care and out-of-school care after the summer holidays.