 
  Leon: “My wife attended the Waldorf school and was looking for anthroposophical childcare. I’m a bit more down-to-earth and had my doubts. But when we visited, it immediately felt right—calm, spacious, and a warm atmosphere. Very different from the other childcare places we had seen.”
Their choice for the toddler playgroup came from their desire for social contact and structure. “Our daughter was used to being with a childminder—my mother—with few other children around. That’s why we wanted her to get used to being in a group as well.”
 
  Frida, our youngest daughter, had been going along in the car seat since she was a baby when we dropped off her brother Sylvester. When she was finally old enough to attend the toddler playgroup herself, it immediately felt familiar. She walked right in and started playing. For her, it really felt like coming home.
Leon talks about how wonderful the contact with the educational staff is. “At Zonnestraaltje, it’s not just: drop off your child and go. You’re welcomed and it’s easy to have a chat. Geri and Mirjam are so dedicated. They know exactly what a child needs, comfort or space. The children visibly relax.”
 
   
  Parent involvement is high, Leon explains. “In the mornings, you often linger a bit and get to know each other. There are parent evenings, craft activities, and seasonal celebrations. Yes, more parent involvement is expected than at a regular toddler playgroup, but it also creates a sense of connection with the playgroup and other parents. And when you make something for your child yourself, you can’t help but feel a little proud.”