Welcome to De Meeuw Foundation
 

De Meeuw Foundation is an organisation based in the city of Rotterdam. It was founded in 1990. De Meeuw (‘The Seagull’) initiates, coordinates and implements methods, it also offers counselling, advice and in-service training in order to expand opportunities for children aged 0 to 18.
Our aim is to link in-school and extra-curricular activities, an approach that becomes apparent in the programmes we work with.We work within the boundaries of the so called Educational Triangle.

Some current programmes we are running :
o Preschool and Early Childhood Education;
o Education and Environment;
o Parental Involvement and Educational Support.

In close consultation with its partners and customers De Meeuw Foundation offers tailor made advice, training courses or programmes for schools, pre-schools, child day care and youth work.

The Education Triangle

Children are raised within the range of the triangle home – school – neighbourhood. A variety of individuals, groups and institutions in this triangle are involved in the development of children.
In order to create an optimal climate we try to connect the angles of the educational triangle. All activities of De Meeuw Foundation find their origin in this principle.

Preschool and Early Childhood Education

Through their close co-operation both nursery schools and primary schools have developed Preschool Education. Nursery schools are meant for children from 2 to 5 years. Both nursery school workers and teachers follow supplementary training programmes.
De Meeuw Foundation co-ordinates the introduction of the preschools and has an important share in the training of teachers and nursery school workers.
We run a special professionalisation method meant for workers in Daycare Centres. This method is based on video interaction.

Education and Environment

The so-called Extended School has become a widespread phenomenon in The Netherlands. It originated in Rotterdam. The Extended School is the pivot of the educational triangle, as it links up schools with parents, youth work and institutions in the areas of culture and sports among other things. All this is done to ensure the broad development of children and youths.
De Meeuw Foundation offers expertise in the development of activity plans and supports the enhancement of professionalism.
A considerable number of Extended Schools is based in so called Youth Opportunities Zones.Schools and institutions for social work in these zones work together on a number of priorities, of which the Community School is the central item. This co-operation is officially backed by the Rotterdam City Council, the districtcouncils and the school boards. In the majority of these zones De Meeuw Foundation offers process supervision.
Another aspect of the Education and Environment programme is the emphasis on youth participation and social skills. The stimulation and strengthening of these skills is an essential task for teachers and youth workers. De Meeuw Foundation offers them a wide range of possibilities for the enhancement of their own professional skills.

Parental Involvement and Educational Support

School activities are often linked to programmes for parents. They are meant to stimulate the active involvement of parents in their children’s educational career. De Meeuw also offers support to schools that wish to develop an active policy towards parents. A frequent dialogue between school and parents is necessary for the well-being and development of children.
Educational Support of parents is one of our priorities. A considerable number of home based programmes are being used for young children’s parents. Parent Advisors are responsible for the execution of these programmes. They are mostly immigrant women, specially trained in vocational training centres and, in addition, counselled by the trainers of De Meeuw. The advisors act as mediators between home and school. The parents’ room, present in many schools, is one of the facilities they use.

Education Magazine

By order of the Rotterdam City CouncilDe Meeuw edits the Rotterdam Education Magazine (ROM), specially geared to everybody involved in local education. It is a monthly magazine about local education and youth policy matters.

De Meeuw Foundation
P.O. Box 61055
NL 3002 HB Rotterdam
Netherlands
www.stichtingdemeeuw.nl