Development-Oriented Care
It is essential that we offer development-focused activities tailored to the needs and developmental stages of each child. This means selecting activities that build on what a child can already do while also encouraging new challenges, allowing them to grow at their own pace.
"Challenges spark growth, taking one step further every day."
At Daisy’s Daycare, we offer one daily activity that focuses on a specific area of development, giving children the opportunity to grow in domains such as motor skills, language, social-emotional development, and cognitive abilities. These activities are carefully chosen and always fall within the child’s “zone of proximal development.” This means the activity matches what the child can already do, while also stretching them slightly beyond their current level, encouraging them to learn new skills. Activities are designed to be challenging yet achievable, so children are stimulated to grow without feeling overwhelmed.
By providing daily activities that target different areas of development, we ensure children receive a broad and balanced learning experience. This approach also allows our pedagogical staff to observe each child’s progress and offer tailored support when needed.
At Daisy’s Daycare, we introduce a new theme every two months. All activities are designed to align with this theme. On the first Monday of each month (or the next open day), each group receives a monthly activity schedule. The schedules are age-specific and include around 30 activities from which staff can select, based on the needs of the children and the flow of the day. This structured approach supports a holistic and balanced development, helping children explore and develop new skills with confidence and joy.
Screen time is used thoughtfully during activities. Children under 2 years are not exposed to screens, while children aged 2 to 4 may have a maximum of 10 minutes per day. Screens are only used as an educational tool, for example, a short video showing a flower blooming in fast motion or the sun moving across the sky.
"Free play fuels creativity, growth, and confidence in every child."
The Importance of Free Play
Many people think that a child’s development only happens through structured, developmental activities. That’s not the whole story. Free play is essential for children aged 0 to 4, as it gives them the freedom and space to explore, experiment, and learn at their own pace. This type of play is driven by the child’s natural curiosity and creativity, making it one of the most important ways young children understand the world around them.
Free play supports cognitive development. Through experimenting and exploring, children develop problem-solving skills, strengthen their memory, and improve concentration. Whether they’re building towers with blocks or inventing stories during pretend play, children are honing essential cognitive skills that help them make sense of their surroundings.
It is equally crucial for social development. Free play allows children to interact with peers, share, cooperate, and resolve conflicts. These social skills are fundamental for emotional growth and learning the basics of teamwork, communication, and empathy.
Motor skills are also enhanced through free play. Activities like running, jumping, climbing, or manipulating small objects help children develop both fine and gross motor skills. This not only supports physical health but also boosts confidence and independence.
Furthermore, free play nurtures emotional development. It gives children the opportunity to express and process emotions—through role-playing as a doctor, parent, or superhero, for example—which helps them understand different situations and feelings. Free play provides a safe space where children can create their own world, fostering autonomy and self-confidence.
In short, free play is vital for the overall development of young children. It encourages creativity, self-expression, and confidence while supporting both individual and social growth. Most importantly, it lays the foundation for essential life skills that will benefit them throughout their development.
To read aloud
The language development of a child from 0 to 4 years old is recognized as one of the most important areas of attention. At Daisy's Daycare we do everything we can to provide a stimulating and supportive environment that promotes the language development of every child. We do this not only by offering varied language activities in the activity schedule, which match the developmental needs of the children, but also by striving to read to the children at least twice a day in our daily routine. The pedagogical employee can do this by, for example, ending the 'Good morning conversation' with reading a book, reading before the children go to sleep or planning a moment of rest during playing or eating.
All these aspects together ensure that we can provide development-oriented care to children from 0 to 4 years old, at the highest possible level.
"Reading aloud opens the door to language, imagination and growth."
