Why Teddy Kids Exists
We didn't build another daycare. We built what we wish we had as kids.
It began with a child arriving somewhere new — a different country, an unfamiliar language, the particular loneliness of standing outside a world that already knew itself. And then a door opened. Teachers learned a name and said it right. Other children made room. That small act of welcome — so ordinary to those who gave it, so enormous to the one who received it — planted something.
Some seeds take years to become what they always were.
Teddy Kids was born in Leiden in 2004 from exactly that conviction: that every child, wherever they come from, deserves to feel they belong from the very first day. What began as one small nursery now welcomes more than five hundred children, cared for by a team of nearly ninety, across several homes in Leiden — with sister schools in Leiden and Lisbon. And in the same city where that welcome was first given, children from around the world now learn and laugh and grow, in Dutch and in English, in the universal language of being truly seen. The circle has closed: what was once received is now passed forward — to every Dutch child, every expat child, every small newcomer at the threshold of a world about to become their own.
Our Mission
We believe every child is born curious. At Teddy Kids, we protect and nourish that curiosity. Through bilingual communication, respectful care, and joyful structure, we help children grow into themselves — one day, one moment at a time.
The Maelyn Effect (2016)
In 2016, something shifted—and Maelyn was born.
And suddenly, good enough wasn’t good enough anymore.
The frozen meals had to go. The smear cheese and pathé sandwiches were replaced with warm lunches, locally sourced, made with intention. Not because regulations changed, but because the team understood, in a new way, what parents expect when they entrust their child to someone else.
Maelyn became the North Star. Every decision since 2016 runs through this filter: Would this be good enough for her?
That upgrade in food quality? It triggered a cascade. Staff training. Garden spaces. Pedagogical depth. The Teddy Kids you see today was born in 2016—not when we opened, but when we decided to be exceptional.
Policy & Reports
Our commitment to transparency and accountability is reflected in our comprehensive documentation.
View All DocumentsOur Vision
After 22 years, here's what we're still building toward.
Today, we're 5 locations, 10,000 families, and a team that operates at the edge of what's possible—while staying rooted in what matters.
Our vision? Simple: Every child who walks through our doors should feel it from day one. Belonging. Possibility. The certainty that someone sees them.
- We protect curiosity like a flame.
- We preserve magic in places where screens want to steal it.
- We teach language not as a subject—but as a passport for the soul.
- We build spaces that feel like home, but think like a school.
- We keep our standards impossibly high—because your child is worth it.
Twenty-two years in, the same family feeling runs every room — so no child ever has to wonder if they belong.
The Teddy Family
It started with one family. Now it's hundreds.
What began as Artem's family dream has grown into something much bigger — the Teddy Family. A crew of passionate educators who've been here through thick and thin. Some since day one.
Because at Teddy Kids, it was never about one person. It's always been about the team.
What is a pedagogical coach?
Every Teddy Kids location has a dedicated pedagogical coach. They observe, support, and help tailor our care to each child's unique needs. It's how we ensure quality, warmth, and professional growth for both children and staff.
Learn more about our quality protocolsObservations & parent meetings
We observe every child several times a year — how they play, interact, and grow. We share these insights during parent meetings, so we can support the child together.
How does bilingual work?
We use the "One Person, One Language" method. This means every teacher consistently speaks either Dutch or English with the child. It builds clarity, confidence, and real language growth.
How we speak to children
Our team is trained in "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen" communication. We focus on:
Acknowledging feelings
Inviting cooperation
Avoiding punishment with alternatives
Encouraging autonomy
Listening with presence
Breaking out of fixed roles
The People Behind Teddy Kids
Our passionate team brings diverse expertise and a shared commitment to childhood education.
Leadership
Artem
Director
Antonela
Site Leader
Meral
People & Culture
Vera
Keeper of the Sunny Field • HR & Operations Anchor
Pedagogical Coaches
Zina
Pedagogical Coach
Marilja
Pedagogical Coach
Location Heads
Hanrike
RB3 & RB5
Adela
LRZ
Svetlana
ZML
Blanca
Sunshine Teacher • Structure with Soul
Pleun
Adventure Planner • Future Builder
Els
Teddy Grandmother & Poffertjes Queen
Ready to see Teddy Kids in person?
Come by, feel the warmth, meet the team. No sales pitch — just trust your gut.