Zein International Childcare was founded over a decade ago by childcare professionals looking to help children embrace the advantages that an internationally-oriented lifestyle can bring. Today, through their consistent commitment to high quality, Zein is the leading provider of international childcare services in the Netherlands – offering the full range of childcare services including Day Care, Pre-School, After-School Care and Holiday Camps – across multiple stunning locations in The Hague. As the company continues to grow and develop, they realise their greatest resource is their staff
Following a Dream Based on the belief that children growing up amongst different worlds have the unique potential to become the model citizens of tomorrow, Co-Founder Robbie Zein (a child of expats herself) developed a unique award-winning approach to childcare that focusses on social-emotional competences and the uniqueness of growing up in an internationally-oriented environment.
Zein’s pedagogic programme is based on the Integrated Common Theme (ICT) approach, and aspects of the Reggio Emilia and Montessori approach to learning – providing children with the skills to cope with their constantly-changing settings and environments.
A Professional Family Although a fast-growing company, Zein continues to place great value on the sense of community and family upon which it was founded – making it their mission to ensure their staff are just as much a part of their ‘family’ as the children in their care. The Zein professional family consists of over 100 talented and passionate staff who are able to share and deliver the Zein vision and help them truly ‘Set the Standard’ in International Childcare through the provision of the highest level of care and service.
When they take on new staff, they set the bar high. They look for people who more than like working with children – they seek out enthusiastic and dedicated individuals who have a passion for teaching, developing and caring for children. Open-minded, emotionally-intelligent people who are task-oriented and share the beliefs upon which Zein was founded, will thrive in their work environment.
An International Mix In addition to the high staff-child ratio, ensuring a clear focus on the quality of care for the individual child – one of the details that sets Zein apart from other childcare providers – is the truly international mix of their staff. They believe that the best way to serve their diverse community is by ensuring that the people working for them reflect the same level of diversity themselves.
With teachers representing over 39 nationalities, they are able to genuinely connect with the experiences and challenges faced by internationally-mobile children and families, by using their own cultural experiences and background to add a richness to the care they provide.
A Unique Staff-Training Programme Zein believes in the concept of lifelong learning, and invests time and energy into ensuring that all their staff feel happy and confident about their role. All new members of Zein undergo a detailed induction and training programme so they learn to understand the difference between Zein’s approach and that of other childcare and educational organisations where they may have worked in the past.
The Zein Academy Staff Training Programme is made up of a combination of lectures, interactive workshops and on-the-job application of knowledge. This in-depth programme looks at the practical implementation of the home concept, positive behaviour guidance through the application of Zein’s unique Choices System, the specific needs of Third Culture Kids (children growing up in a culture other than their own), as well as the practical application of other core elements of the Zein vision and the child-oriented approach used to achieve it. Feedback shows that new staff find the programme interesting, educational and stimulating, and that they grow in their pedagogical knowledge and approach as a result.
Childcare Locations to Envy All Others Working both independently and in partnership with key international schools, Zein’s The Hague locations are in residential areas of internationals, either close by (groupings of) international schools or in dedicated on-campus facilities. Stretching even to the far corners of city, the Willows Day Care location is located in beautiful facilities on the edge of the innovative premises of the Leidschenveen campus of The British School in the Netherlands.
Whether located on-campus or at a nearby external location, the quality of the physical surroundings and facilities at Zein are outstanding. Across their locations, the luxury home-like environment is unique in comparison to other providers, using a natural approach with stylish nature-inspired wallpaper, soft carpeted areas and spacious rooms furnished with Zein’s own children’s furniture line ‘Dutch DeZein’. The picture is completed by beautiful natural playgrounds, a spacious inner hall for indoor play and a fully-equipped kitchen, where the on-site chef prepares fresh, organic, warm meals for day care children.
Expansion on the Horizon Driven by a commitment to high quality and positive referrals, Zein is currently one of the fastest growing companies in the Netherlands, recently winning the ‘FD Gazelle’ award for a second year in a row and being named as ‘Best Performing Company in the Care Sector’ in West- Holland.
Having secured a long-term lease on the stunning monumental building ‘Huis de Werve’ in Voorburg, further expansion is on the horizon for Zein. Currently still in the permitting process, they hope to shortly gain permission to proceed with the remodelling and ultimately open their doors at the beginning of 2018. Set within 4,500 m2 of mature gardens, this location will offer four Day Care groups and a small Pre-School group for internationally-minded families in the area.
The ongoing expansion offers opportunities for new staff, as well as internal growth opportunities for selfless, positive and professionally-committed staff, to be promoted from group teachers to Assistant Manager positions or higher when a suitable opportunity arises.
New Career Opportunities Due to their continued rapid growth, Zein operates a rolling recruitment policy. Across the different childcare services, they offer full-time jobs as well as flexible and part-time options. Take a look at their current vacancies, and if you think one might suit you or you know of someone who may be interested in working for Zein, get in touch with their HR department today.
www.zeinchildcare.nl/workingforus
recruitment@zeinchildcare.nl tel.: 070 – 326 82 63
