Go to home
Close menu
A boost in confidence and language

Language options

Following many years of experience in providing an English-speaking approach to childcare, Club Basker International, formerly known as Zein International Childcare, added a bilingual (English-Dutch) After School Care option to its service offer several years ago. 

At present, the bilingual option is available to families attending the Junior Schools of the British School in the Netherlands, as well as several Dutch Schools in the area. This means, at The Willows and The Estate After School Care locations, families can choose between an English-speaking or bilingual group for their child.

Child and teacher play with clay at Basker Childcare
Child and teacher play with clay at Basker Childcare
Children playing with clay at Basker International Daycare

Benefits of a bilingual environment 

This provision aims to meet the desire for bilingual childcare amongst the growing number of expat families choosing for long-term assignments or lifetime careers in the Netherlands – as well as the ever-increasing number of internationally-oriented (international & local Dutch) families who recognise the many advantages a bilingual upbringing can offer their child.

Research into bilingualism shows that children raised bilingually (or multilingually) are more open-minded, have better problem-solving skills and adapt better to different environments than their monolingual counterparts. Bilingualism is the perfect complement to Basker’s international community of children, parents and staff - where worlds come together and different cultures are celebrated. 

Balancing English and Dutch

We follow the one-teacher-one-language approach. This means, while interacting with the children, one pedagogic professional consistently speaks English whilst the other consistently speaks Dutch – similar to what you would experience in a bilingual household. Each pedagogic professional speaks the language they are fluent in, whilst also being proficient in the language owned by their colleague. 

Similar to our English-speaking groups, the bilingual group follows the varied After School Care programme of activities, projects and sports. Below is an example of how both languages may be spoken with your child throughout the afternoon. 
 

  • Snack time: Dutch
  • Discussion and Sharing Time: English 
    Children share about their day at school, planned activities for the afternoon are announced, and children can express preferences to staff
  • Activity time: Indoor activities mainly in Dutch, Outdoor activities mainly in English 
Boy looking into camera

Our locations for bilingual care

Basker International Childcare The Estate location in the Benoordenhout area of The Hague
 

The Estate

The Estate is attended by students from: British School Vlaskamp, OBS Benoordenhout, Oranje Nassau School and the Paschalis. 

Situated in the Benoordenhout area of The Hague, the building was completely modernised in 2014. With over 3000m2 of gardens, designed specifically for the different ages of the children, this is a childcare location to rival all others. 

Find out more about the Estate facilities

Basker International Childcare The Willows After School Care
 

The Willows

The Willows is attended by students from: British School Leidschenveen/

The innovative purpose-built facilities on the Leidschenveen campus of the British School on Vrouw Avenweg 644 offer children a spacious, welcoming environment with the added benefit of using the state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor recreational facilities of the school. 

Find out more about the Willows facilities

Book a visit

At Basker International Childcare, you are always welcome to visit us. We invite you to discover the unique benefits international childcare can provide to your child for yourself: see how children play, discover and learn together, explore our facilities, meet our team, and find out what we can offer your child.

Find a location and book a visit