In honour of the five-year anniversary of the BES(t) 4 kids programme, the programme is publishing the magazine ‘The best of BES(t) 4 kids’. This magazine looks back on five years of building together to improve childcare in the Caribbean Netherlands. The magazine contains open-hearted interviews with stakeholders from Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius and the European Netherlands. It discusses the steps that have been taken, the challenges, successes and lessons learned.
The BES(t) 4 kids Steering Committee, in which the commissioners of all the islands participate, about the magazine: “Big and small steps are being taken, mistakes are being made and successes achieved. We are learning a lot, both with and about each other. In this magazine we share the stories and lessons learned. We are proud of the steps that have been taken and look forward to the continuation and the future with confidence.”
What is striking in the magazine is the enormous commitment of everyone who works and contributes to improving the quality of childcare: the childcare organisations, pedagogical professionals, project leaders and many others. Whether it is about the development of legislation that considers the local context, setting up the supervision and care structure, finding solutions for housing issues or improvement of quality, everyone cooperates with respect for each other’s position and expertise. All work together with the knowledge that together we can organise the best childcare. Based on the conviction that this will ensure happy, healthy children and happy parents, and thus a future in which every child has the opportunity to develop to their full potential.
The ‘lessons learned’ are compiled in the magazine and are about the importance of visiting each other, accepting differences and understanding each other’s background, position and context. Also discussed are important preconditions such as sufficient money and time, and the importance of celebrating successes. The BES(t) 4 kids Steering Committee also hopes that the magazine will inspire future collaborations with and between Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius and the Kingdom.