Childcare, much more than just a babysitting location
Iris Viveen (21) knew from childhood what she wanted to be when she grew up. "As a child, I always brought a doll with me. It didn't matter where we went. I considered the doll my own child. I also had several babysitting jobs where I cared for both babies and older children. That's why I knew very early on that I wanted to work with children."
It's clear that Iris is in the right place. Not only because she's caring and helpful, but also because she enjoys lending a hand during her holidays to gain more experience. "I'm doing an internship at Korein for school. I also get to work for two weeks during the summer holidays. I get children up and down, put them to bed, take care of them, do activities with them, and communicate with the parents. I really enjoy the work."
Vmbo basic background
Iris adds that choosing a school that suits you is also important. "I looked at other schools, but I consciously chose Summa College. Here you get more guidance and are seen more as a student, instead of a number."
More than just babysitting
Working in childcare is very diverse. Students receive theoretical lessons on pedagogy, citizenship, and child development, among other things. This allows them to better respond to a child's individual needs. Iris explains: "You learn how to bottle-feed, how to read aloud interactively, how to use the correct intonation, and how to have conversations with a child's parents. Starting in the second year, you also receive guest lectures on psychology, and organizations like UNICEF come to discuss children's rights."
Best moment of the day
Of all the tasks and activities, there's one moment Iris always looks forward to most: the care sessions. "Care sessions are the times you feed, change, and dress the children. We always get to come up with fun activities around this. It sometimes requires a bit of creativity. But the children usually really enjoy it."