Parents shocked: video of children in Amsterdam shelter in an ‘unacceptable’ way on TikTok | Interior
intern confirmedA 19-year-old intern from a large daycare center in Amsterdam is on a stable basis because they had posted images of about ten children in an inappropriate position on social media. The police, the GGD and the Education Inspectorate are aware of the case. The parents of the children are stunned and full of questions. The childcare is preparing a declaration, confirmed director Nicole Krabbenborg of Kindergarden childcare.
The young intern – who works at the Amsterdam Stadstimmertuin branch – posted a video on Snapchat and TikTok in which a number of children appear recognised. She did so without her supervisor knowing. This compilation of images shows, among other things, that a ball is kicked at two children who then fall over. A child is also asked to imitate a seal and on a video two children can be seen in a lying position, with the text ‘they start early’ while.
A parent saw the images on social media and immediately warned childcare on Sunday. He took the report seriously and put together a crisis team. The intern is immediately comfortable with the images. A Kindergarden employee took the video to the police that Sunday for advice. On Monday, a forensic expert examined her phone.
No criminal offenses emerged from an initial investigation. “But it should be clear that this behavior towards the children is unacceptable,” says Krabbenborg. The intern was supervised by an employee who has 21 years of experience in the shelter. “The intern has impressed upon us that the employee cannot help it and that she has done everything secretly.”
She broke the rule. She now deeply regrets that. She is aware of the seriousness of her transgression
Filming strictly prohibited
Those who start working at a childcare facility sign an agreement stating that filming children for private use is strictly prohibited. She broke that rule. She now deeply regrets that. She is aware of the seriousness of her offense. She is now fully cooperating with the investigation and is prepared to answer all questions. Also to questions from the parents, who were ultimately shocked by the images,” says Krabbenborg.
The anxiety among the parents is great. On the Facebook page it gets daycare well past it and even shuts off to close the doors. ‘My daughter is at Kindergarden. I find it nauseated and I am also really shocked! How could this have happened?’, writes one of the parents. “My daughter is at Kindergarden. I want to know what kind of behavior is being described. Cross-border is too brief for me’, says another.
Death threats
The 19-year-old intern has been under enormous threat since last weekend. “There are cautious little bits like ‘I’ll kill you’ coming in from different corners of the country. That is of course unacceptable,” says Krabbenborg. “We had to pick her up and bring her by taxi yesterday because she is terrified. We understand the anger and disappointment, but what is happening to her now is something you don’t wish on anyone. This girl made a serious mistake. She knows that, but she is definitely not a sex offender felon.”
The trainee is sent away by the shelter as a punishment and is also not allowed to complete her training. “She is therefore sufficiently punished”, says Krabbenborg. The teenager is at daycare today to provide text and explanation about the images. “We want to know exactly what is going on, so that we can inform parents as well as possible.”
Beloved intern
Employees, colleagues and also the children who react to the scandal. ,,This is about an intern who was loved by everyone. We are all very sad.” An information evening will be organized for the parents of the children on the video, during which the management hopes to be able to answer all questions. “It is important that we are as transparent as possible and can learn so that this cannot happen again in the future,” said the director.
Various angry parents speak of ‘pornographic material’ on social media, but according to the police there is no discussion of that. “It is not about images that show children naked. It remains to be seen whether the images are criminal in nature at all. The investigation is ongoing,” a statement said. A compilation of some videos posted by the intern is circulating on social media. The management calls on everyone to remove the compilation for the ‘safety and privacy of children’.
Four eyes principle
In recent years, much has been done to make childcare safer and, according to various studies, this has been successful. New employees can only start work if they have a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG). All permanent employees in childcare are continuously screened for criminal offenses and there is a duty to report any suspicions of violence or abuse.
With the introduction of the four-eyes principle (always a second adult watching), the intention is that childcare employees are always seen or heard during their work. Since July 2013, it is mandatory that an adult can always watch or listen with a professional to increase safety in childcare. The reason was the sex case at ‘t Hofnarretje in Amsterdam.
Kindergarden has more than seventy branches throughout the Netherlands and is therefore a major player in childcare.
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