A new doorbell system at the daycare, replacing the air conditioning, and the new childcare fees for the coming year – just three of the topics the Switch/Skala parent committee in Bergschenhoek has been working on in recent months. The committee meets four to six times a year to discuss the latest developments, changes, and any issues at the daycare settings. When necessary, the committee raises concerns or consults with location managers or even the national departments of Partou.
"We try to keep a close watch on daily operations at the daycare on behalf of the parents," explains Jan (41, two children). "We provide constructive input on issues such as group dynamics or the departure of regular staff members. And sometimes, we can put topics on the agenda that are important to us as parents."
In principle, the parent committee must approve all structural changes at the daycare or any policy adjustments. The committee is also consulted for advice on new protocols before they are implemented.
Constructive discussions
"In theory, we could probably block certain plans if we wanted to," Jan laughs. "But that shouldn't be the goal, on the contrary. Partou and the parents have a common interest, namely: what is best for the children? Sometimes you can look at things differently. But then you listen to each other and try to adjust or adjust plans where necessary. Call it poldering: no one has an interest in poor cooperation."
The parent committee in Bergschenhoek consists of four members. The formation of a committee depends on how many parents sign up. That’s also why not every Partou setting has a committee – there isn't always enough interest from parents. In such cases, a location manager must consult parents through a general parent meeting before making major decisions.
"We try to create a team that is as diverse as possible," Jan explains. "One person may have experience in finance, another in education. You don’t need to be an expert in everything, quite the opposite. I work in the aviation industry, specializing in operational logistics. That knowledge can be very useful when evaluating new
plans or ideas."
New fees
A recurring point of discussion each year is the period around setting new fees. "It’s an issue that affects us all," says Jan. "We want to be realistic, prices can’t stay the same forever. But in recent years, the increase in hourly rates has not kept pace with government adjustments. We want daycare to remain accessible for families with lower incomes. Rising staff costs shouldn’t automatically be passed on entirely to parents."
The committee understands that some major expenses are unavoidable, such as installing a new air conditioning system. "But if you spread those costs over three years instead of one, it softens the impact, and parents will feel it less in their monthly expenses."
Better communication
Jan would like to see more interaction between different parent committees in the region. "As a committee, you don’t always have all the answers," he says. "We can reach out to BOINK, the national advocacy group for parent committees, which sometimes provides advice on current issues or answers legal questions. BOINK also sends out a monthly newsletter with tips and guidance for parent committees."
But it would also be helpful to exchange ideas with other local committees, Jan suggests. "There are dozens of Partou settings within a 5 to 6-kilometer radius. I would really like to meet with other committees twice a year to share experiences and discuss local or regional topics together."
A commitment to care
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