Welcome
The International Children’s Center “The Clown Club” is open on weekdays from 7.45 - 18.30. We provide daycare to 84 children divided into six groups ranging in ages from ten weeks through four years. There are English- and Dutch- language groups, since we serve many nationalities.
Our teaching team is also international. All of our international staff members are well-qualified and experienced. Each teacher has educational qualifications in accordance with the laws of The Netherlands. All teachers have a statement of good conduct, or behavior that certifies that the teacher has no history of poor conduct in the legal system. This is required of all teachers and staff at The Clown Club.
We provide a safe space for staff members and children, and all of our staff members are trained in First Aid, specialized for infants and children. They know how to handle emergencies. Staff is re-certified annually.
As an officially recognized student-teaching center, the ICC offers placement to student teachers as they complete their studies. They work along side our many experienced childcare professionals. These students work and study under the supervision of specially-trained supervisors.
The Clown Club was established in 1995 with the goal to support and encourage an intercultural learning process between children, their parents and teachers in a safe, secure and stimulating environment. We provide an environment where children feel safe and secure to optimally develop physically as well as socially and emotionally, through play. We offer this in an environment where the child receives physical as well as social/emotional safety and security through which they are able to develop at their best.
For the development of a strong sense of security children need to feel emotional safe. We believe that is essential for teachers and parents to value children’s feelings, so that they develop a good self image. Therefore it is important that we impart respect to children so they can develop respect for the feelings of others. We do this by showing sympathy and caring for each other.
Young children develop at a very fast pace. Language development is an important part. In our Bi-lingual childcare center this has an even greater emphasis. It is important for children to be guided in their language development. We do this by modeling correct word usage and encouraging children to do the same without criticizing. The children are then stimulated to use words to express what they want and how they feel. It is important that children notice that they are listened to, even if they don’t get what they want. We stimulate language development in several ways, by reading, singing, talking properly with the children and answering their numerous and sometimes difficult questions.