Dordrecht daycare “Happy 4 Kids” closed after abuse footage emerges

The municipality of Dordrecht has announced that it is closing the daycare center Happy 4 Kids on the Burgemeester de Raadtsingel after footage emerged showing physical and mental abuse of children by the employees, according to the AD.

Employees shouted at children, used demeaning words like “mafketel,” and swore at toddlers. Kids were yanked by the arm across tables, firmly held, and roughly set on the floor, in some instances. Two employees were fired instantly after the footage was made public. Records indicate that the organization was previously fined in 2024 for understaffing with qualified personnel and for inappropriately assigning interns to cover shifts.

In one incident, a roughly one-year-old baby was sitting on a lap, crying, when a staff member addressed her harshly and impatiently before putting her on the floor. The baby then spent 13 minutes crawling around the room in tears, seeking comfort, while the staff member ignored her and even walked away to use her phone. When the daycare owner briefly entered the room, no one intervened or offered the baby any comfort.

Toddlers who refused or were unable to eat their bread were denied drinks as a form of “punishment.” Staff repeatedly reacted to the children with anger and intimidation during mealtimes.

The local government is assisting parents in securing new spots, giving priority to children with a VE (pre- and early school education) designation. An informational meeting has been arranged at City Hall.

“Children deserve a safe environment to grow in, and parents should be able to trust that childcare is secure and responsible. We recognize that this decision deeply affects families and causes concern,” Alderman Wim van der Kruijff stated.