ISF International Daycare – infant development accelerated through scientific design

ISF Waterloo International School is expanding its offering and opening a creche on its premises in Chaussée de Waterloo 280, Rhode Saint Genese in November 2016. This new and purpose built facility is co-located with the existing Pre-School, which takes children from 2.5 years onwards. ISF International Daycare is dedicated to babies from six weeks old to 2.5 years and will be trilingual (English/Dutch/French) giving families an opportunity to choose the language they wish their child to be spoken to.

ISF International Daycare is the first of its kind, being committed to creating a physical environment that promotes engagement and mental well-being in infants and children. To this end, the creche has been designed by Spacious-Minds studio, a joint venture that combines the expertise of Dr. Karen Dobkins, Professor of Child Development (University of California, San Diego), and Dutch designer Roy Verbakel (trained at the Design Academy Eindhoven).  

The interior design of ISF Daycare is inspired by Dr Dobkins’ research, which shows what sorts of visual stimuli young children can detect the best, as well as which stimuli they prefer to look at. In addition, the Spacious-Minds designs use elements of art to communicate a contemporary message. Combining science and design, Dobkins and Verbakel  work together to create lighting, wall/floor patterns, colors, moving displays and interactive installations that flow together to complement the sensitivities of young children. 

Dr Dobkins states: “I believe that these research-inspired designs will benefit the children, as well as raise awareness of caregivers and parents regarding the benefits of a mindfully-designed learning/living space for their children, as well as themselves.”

Mrs Belinda Yates, the Head of School, continues: “We are very excited to expand our offering to include daycare for babies. It has been a pleasure working with Spacious-Minds and benefitting from the knowledge, experience and creativeness of both Dr Dobkins and Mr Verbakel. We look forward to experiencing the impact of our Daycare’s scientific design and of course seeing the positive effects this unique design approach will have on the babies”

ISF is offering reduced fees for the first ten babies to register in the Daycare as a launch offer for a limited period.  The opening event together with Dr Dobkins presentation will be taking place Tuesday 29 November. For more information please contact the School Office +32 (0)2 358 56 06 or [email protected].

About ISF Waterloo

ISF Waterloo is a vibrant and friendly international school on the Flanders-Wallonia borders near Brussels. We encourage creativity and out of box thinking – we develop not just academically strong students, but also respectful, responsible and self-confident young people.

Our focus on languages, technology and intercultural exchange gives ISF Waterloo students a head start in 21st Century global society.

• ISF Waterloo is the first Google for Education School in Belgium.
• Our small class sizes – max 18 students – ensure personal attention to the individual development of each child.
• We have 190 students from 42 different nationalities aged from 2.5 to 18, including expats and Belgian residents.
• Every one of our teachers is trained in English as an Additional Language.
• We teach French daily to every student and are recognised by the Belgian education authorities.
• We follow the International Primary Curriculum in Primary School, and enter Middle and High School students for Cambridge International examinations.
• Visit isfwaterloo.org for more details or follow us on Twitter @ISFWaterloo.

About Spacious-Minds

Dr. Dobkins has over 20 years of experience conducting research on the effects of the sensory environment on visual development and mental well-being in infants and children. She heads the Infant Vision Laboratory. The work of Dutch designer Roy Verbakel combines art and science, with an emphasis on the interactions between humans and design. Learn more about Spacious-Minds here.

Contributed by ISF Waterloo