Uniform transfer of toddlers to elementary school
The municipality of Aalten is working to promote equal opportunities for all children through its Equal Opportunities Agenda (GKA). This is a major challenge that can only be tackled through cooperation. It is important that children's development is monitored from an early age and that everyone involved can grow with them. To this end, the municipality of Aalten will now complete a transfer form for all toddlers who are making the transition to primary education.
"The transition from preschool to elementary school is an important step in a child's life, and we must handle it with care," says Nathalie Gribbroek. Nathalie is the branch manager of KOSMO, which operates four childcare organizations in the municipality of Aalten.
Development in view
The municipality of Aalten has employed Vera Meinen as Equal Opportunities Project Coordinator for two years. Vera: "We have held meetings with childcare organizations, childminding agencies, Yunio youth health care, the Oost-Achterhoek Support Team, the North and East Gelderland Municipal Health Service, De Achterhoekse Poort Library, and, of course, the primary schools. These meetings clearly revealed the need for continuity. After all, the primary school needs to be aware of the development a child has undergone in childcare or with a childminder when the child starts there. Previously, each organization had its own form or procedure for this. The great thing is that we can now provide a uniform transfer form. And because children do not always attend primary school in the municipality of Aalten, we have also already established contact with the surrounding municipalities and the Oost-Achterhoek partnership."
Uniform transfer form
Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, child care organizations, host parents and elementary school will start working with the new transfer form and associated protocol. The form provides the elementary school with the information needed to give each child the right guidance that matches the child's needs and talents. The form contains information about what a child can already do well, what approach is supportive, and in what areas additional help is desired or already provided. Parents are involved in the process.
Further strengthen
Twice a year, all parties involved meet to evaluate and discuss how we can strengthen the continuity for growing children in the municipality of Aalten. "In this way, we work together to ensure that every child in our municipality can grow with confidence and enjoyment and develop to their full potential," concludes a satisfied Nathalie.