Nuala Morgan visits a daycare centre that creates a home from home where children can blossom
Eden Missioui is the aptly named co-founder of Jardin d’Eden (Garden of Eden) daycare centres. First opened in 2010 in Uccle, a second site took root in 2017 in the European quarter. Styled to be a ‘home from home’, Eden takes care that each child is treated as an individual, encouraged to develop, grow and gain independence in a nurturing and stimulating environment.
“Eden takes care that each child is treated as an individual, encouraged to develop, grow and gain independence”
This active approach is reflected in the diversity of activities offered to the children in her care. Personal development, autonomy and free play are the basis of child-led development, and children are encouraged to let their creativity run free and try new things for themselves. An impressive array of directed activities are also proposed, like going to (child-appropriate) theatre, outings in the forest, visits to the zoo, and even swimming lessons in a child’s pool.
Activities are overseen by an educational psychologist.
“All meals are freshly prepared on-the-spot by dedicated cooks using healthy, and – in the case of the European site – fully organic produce”
Continuing the ‘home from home’ feeling, all meals are freshly prepared on-the-spot by dedicated cooks using healthy, and – in the case of the European site – fully organic produce.
The Uccle site can welcome 68 children from birth to 3 years in its 500m2, bright and airy location with a large outdoor garden. Sections are split between babies (0-17 months) and older kids (18-36 months). The site in the European quarter has space for 107 children, which also includes a pre-school section for 3-4 year olds, led by a kindergarten teacher. An immense 350m2 garden is equipped with outdoor play activities, and equipment for developing children’s motor skills. An indoor playroom even has a climbing wall.
“An immense 350m2 garden is equipped with outdoor play activities”
In both sites, children are grouped in classes of maximum 18 and always in the same group, with three nursery staff providing attentive and tailor-made care.This ensures continuity and stability in the everyday experience of the little ones. Staff are fully trained, and in addition receive annual training from a certified organisation in infant first aid. Fire safety and evacuation exercises are also provided.
“Staff are fully trained, and in addition receive annual training from a certified organisation in infant first aid”
A special advantage for parents who work in the European Commission, your children have priority for a place in the European site thanks to a dedicated agreement. Practically situated near the Arts-Loi metro stop, Jardin d’Eden offers additional services for greater flexibility and peace-of-mind.
And to give your children the best start in multicultural Brussels, Jardin d’Eden are putting in place a bilingual educational approach. Certain activities, like singing nursery rhymes or word games, are carried out in French and Dutch.Transitional moments in the day – such as nap time or going for lunch – are also introduced in the two languages. As children are so receptive at that age, language acquisition in two of the official languages in Belgium is (literally) child’s play.
Jardin d’Eden’s mission is to ensure a happy child – and therefore happy parents!
www.jardindeden.be
