our concept
Our concept
Childcare and Primary Education
Discover Inquire Create
Open plan concept
IB PYP (candidacy)
Childcare and Primary Education
Lucas Onderwijs and Vlietkinderen Kinderopvang work together within the child center in the field of care and primary education. As a result, the children can spend the whole day in a familiar environment with familiar faces working on both education and play.
We offer a familiar, safe and challenging environment to children from 4 to 13 throughout the day (from 07.30-18.30). By working together from the different expertises, backgrounds and talents of our employees, we create this environment from one shared vision. Together we work hard to create an open and peaceful atmosphere where everyone can thrive and develop their talents.
In the child center there is room for dialogue and everyone is welcome. The exchange of ideas, values
With us, a child has an active role in its own learning process. In addition to plenty of room for input from the child by making choices, lessons and activities are offered during the day in varying grouping strategies. Children are encouraged to take initiative. For young children, this is mainly done by offering a rich learning environment where the child can play. Play is a process of discovery, exploration and creation and is an optimal way to learn skills such as sharing, communication, organization and concentration. These are important skills for optimal further learning.
DISCOVER. INQUIRE. CREATE.
Our child center is located in De Binckhorst, the neighborhood where people work in different ways and from various disciplines on discovery, inquiry and making.
We are therefore in line with the dynamics in the neighbourhood. Our child centre, just like De Binckhorst itself, is characterized by the key words ‘Discover, inquire, make’. This is reflected in the cooperation between education and care, the physical layout of our accommodation, the attitude of our employees and our range of activities and education within the child centre. Children get the chance to make all kinds of things (together), ask questions and look for answers. In this way they learn what it means to actively participate and be proactive.
Our Building: Temporary for Now, Brand-New Soon
We are currently located in our temporary building on Sint Barbaraweg. Although our building is temporary, our vision is permanent. The atmosphere, structure, and quality of education are remain top priorities.
At De Binck:
We work in large, bright spaces called domains;
We have small groups in the middle and upper grades;
We have materials that stimulate creativity;
Learning processes are displayed on bulletin boards;
We work in studios, construction corners, and discovery areas;
We have a library and a makerspace ( a favorite spot for most children);
We are interdenominational and celebrate seasonal holidays together as a school community;
We have a diverse student population, reflectiving a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities;
We follow the learning guidlines set by our goverment and deliver them through inquiry-based learning;
Our new building, planned for 2030, will be a unique place. We will then share the building with John Dewey College and the library, creating more opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Domains
At our school, we work in zones: open, spacious, well-lit learning environments where children feel at home. Each zone is roughly the size of four classrooms with the walls removed.
The atmosphere is open and warm. Children can move around, collaborate, and choose from a variety of activities. There are areas for group work as well as quiet corners for individual work.
We are a growing school, so children and staff know each other well. This keeps our elementary school personal, connected, and easy to navigate.
Within the school, the domains are divided by age group:
Domain 2: 4-6 year olds (grades 1/2)
Domain 3: 6-8 year olds (grades 3/4)
Domain 4/5: 8–12 years old (grades 5/6/7/8)
Thanks to this layout, the transition to a new domain is never a big step. Children feel safe and at ease as they move between different areas of learning.
IB PYP
Education with an international perspective
KC De Binck is an officially authorized IB World School in The Hague. We combine Dutch education with an international perspective through the IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP).
As an IB school, we focus on the development of the whole child program – not only what children know, but also who they are and who they can become. The IB program encourages children to be curious, caring and engaged learners who contribute to a better and more peaceful world.
The Learner Profile
We work with the IB Learner Profile: ten characteristics that help children grow as individuals and as global citizens. These include curiosity, openness, reflection, and responsibility. In this way, children learn about themselves and how to connect with others.
Working with Concepts
We teach children to think in terms of big ideas, known as concepts. For example, instead of simply learning about World War II, children explore the concept of conflict. Conflict occurs everywhere: between countries, throughout history, and even on the school playground. Because children recognize this in their own world, they learn more deeply, more broadly, and with greater engagement.
Inquiry-based learning
Curiosity is the driving force behind our education. Children ask questions, seek information, and draw conclusions. The teacher guides this process step by step. In this way, they develop an essential lifelong skill: learning how to learn.
Working in Units
We work with six broad global themes (our Units of Inquiry). Within these themes, children explore meaningful topics that integrate math, language, reading, social studies, and other subjects. This creates coherence and helps children develop a deeper understanding of the world.
Skills and action
In addition to knowledge, we place a strong emphasis on skills such as thinking, investigating, communicating, collaborating, and self-management.
Children apply what they learn in practice. By taking action—whether small or large—they show that learning has real meaning. The children grow not only in knowledge but also in responsibility and engagement with the world around them.
KC de Binck is a traditional elementary school that complies with the curriculum guidelines set by the government and SLO. We simply organize education differently from many other schools, in a way that motivates children to discover, explore, and create—and keeps them actively engaged in their own learning.
