Updates

The parents of the children attending the pre-school in the premises of the IPSA (International Primary School Almere) can all attest how extraordinary the teachers have been in terms of educating, caring and nurturing our children, but we also understand the financial reasons behind this business decision (less pupils in the waiting list + a high rent), which is why we proposed the current provider, Partou, to consider these alternatives before closing the pre-school:

1. Starting from September, opening the pre-school with 8 kids per 1 teacher (respecting thus the ratio for this specific age group) with a waiting list for additional applications. The 2nd teacher would be reintroduced once the desired number of students was reached. In September we have 8 children; some want to stay for an extended period of time;

2. Parent participation: one parent would be present at the location every day in order to assist the teacher whenever needed;

3. A (more aggressive) marketing campaign: almost nobody knows the pre-school exists. At the Almere Gemeente website, as an example, there is no mention of this pre-school at all. We recommended an open day every quarter, marketed across expat groups and forums, informing everyone about the school and its benefits, in order to boost applications. The first open day could be held in July before the expected end of school. The parents were willing to help advertising not only the pre-school but also the open day;

4. If feasible, opening a BSO at the location in the afternoons to boost profits and somehow compensate for the pre-school lowest months;

Partou believes these suggestions are good, but the rent is still too high. The parents have tried to get a reaction from the Gemeente, but haven't managed to get one yet. We do not ask for subsidies, but the Gemeente has a say in this matter. We are sure that "where there is a will, there is a way".

There are no bilingual pre-schools or centers where English can be taught to children of these ages, so we will keep on looking into all possibilities to keep this facility open.

Iedereen dank jullie wel we hebben samen al over de 1000 handtekeningen! Deel en vertel verder zodat we echt door kunnen dringen aan de 2de kamer. We hopen op zn dat er serieus naar gekeken word en dat ze ons op zn minst met een flinke tegemoet gaan komen om de komende periode er allemaal doorheen te komen! #samenstaanwesterk.

Eindelijk het parkeerverbod is er gekomen. De parkeerplaatsen op de rijbaan zijn verwijderd.

Europese unie werkt helaas niet. In tijden van nood hoor je elkaar te helpen.

Door de noodzakelijke maatregelen om het Coronavirus onder controle te krijgen, worden steeds meer mensen financieel getroffen. De regering biedt hulp waar nodig en maakt het ene hulppotje na het andere aan of versoepelt regelingen.

Rutger Bregman over het Basisinkomen.

Een onafhankelijk basisinkomen bespaart miljarden aan administratieve rompslomp, voorkomt een onmenselijk controleapparaat en bevordert creativiteit, ondernemingszin en zelfwerkzaamheid, stelt rustend huisarts, jurist (gezondheidsrecht, belastingrecht) en mediator Bert Mulder in Trouw.

NPO Radio 1 over de Coronacrisis en het basisinkomen.

De eerste dag van onze petitie heeft inmiddels meer dan 1500 handtekeningen opgeleverd. Dank u wel, allemaal! Deel de petitie zoveel mogelijk in uw sociale netwerken om nog meer mensen te laten tekenen.