The Province of Drenthe grants a one-time subsidy of €195,000 for the Drents Network Young Child (DNJK) program 2025–2029. This four-year program focuses on strengthening play-based learning among young children (2–7 years) through the use of art and culture in education and care. The subsidy makes it possible to scale up play-based learning regionally and provincially. DNJK is an initiative of the four Drenthe cultural institutions collaborating within Compenta: CultuurKlik, K&C, Facet, and ICO.
Learning driven by curiosity, creativity, and imagination (also called play-based learning) is crucial for the development of young children. However, in practice, there is increasingly less room for this, partly due to the growing emphasis on testable and measurable achievements in education. This development contradicts the natural learning needs of young children. The four institutions within Compenta want to break this trend with a widely supported approach that supports and inspires professionals.
Play-based learning
The program focuses on strengthening the skills of pedagogical professionals to apply play-based learning more often and effectively. For example, by exchanging knowledge and expertise and working with practical methods and guidelines. This contributes to support and guidance aimed at the broader well-being and development of young children.
Broad collaboration and regional scaling
Drents Network Young Child is a deepening and addition to existing trajectories such as Cultural Education with Quality and the 2021 program. New is the broadening of the field. ICO applied for the subsidy as the lead party. Josien van Beek, ICO team leader: “In addition to primary education, childcare organizations, pedagogical training (MBO and HBO), GGD Drenthe, welfare organizations, and libraries are also involved. Thanks to the provincial contribution, the program can be scaled regionally and provincially, so that more young children are reached in more places in Drenthe.”
Equal opportunities and talent development
The subsidy aligns with the ambitions of the Social Agenda Drenthe 2024–2029, focusing on equal opportunities and talent development. Deputy Yvonne Turenhout: “Play-based learning is important for equal opportunities and talent development. Even more so when children find it harder to keep up in regular education due to, for example, dyslexia, autism, or a less advantaged home situation. For these children, art and culture can make a difference: hidden talents become visible, self-confidence grows, and the chances of school success and well-being increase.”
