Doonheide Child Care Center
Gemert-Bakel is growing, and with it, the need for elementary education and child care continues to grow. That is why we are working on the development of a new child center in the Doonheide II residential neighborhood in Gemert.
Future plans
With the development of the Doonheide Children’s Center, we are investing in high-quality, future-proof education close to young families. The children’s center houses two elementary schools under one roof for 400 students, which collaborate closely and each have their own educational philosophy. In addition, the child center will include facilities for daycare, after-school care (BSO), and physical education, so that children from ages 0 to 13 can develop in a single, familiar environment.
Location: Doonheide II neighborhood
In October 2024, the city council decided that the children’s center would be built in the Doonheide II neighborhood. With the arrival of the children’s center, children will be able to attend school in their own neighborhood or village as much as possible. At the same time, the children’s center will be a valuable addition to this relatively new neighborhood. It will be carefully integrated into the neighborhood, with a focus on green spaces, livability, and a pleasant environment for everyone.
Step by step
The municipality, the educational organizations GOO Foundation and Platoo Foundation, and the childcare organization Korein have jointly begun developing the plan. Over the next few years, the plan will be implemented in several phases.
The project is still in its early stages. The so-called definition phase is nearly complete. During this phase, the parameters—such as the total size of the building and the project schedule—were determined. The design team has also been contracted. The design phase will begin in the summer of 2026. During this phase, the municipality and the school boards will jointly determine which functions and facilities will be included in the building. The architect will then translate these goals into a design. This phase will take approximately one year.
The design phase will be followed by the permitting process and, ultimately, construction. Throughout the process, we will continue to consult with the local community, for example through meetings and newsletters.
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Updates
Update Q2 2026
Update Q2 2026
Open House for Local Residents
On April 2, 2026, an open house was held for local residents at the Gemert-Bakel town hall. During the event, all stakeholders were present to explain the plan and the process from design to construction. Information boards outlined the process, presented ideas regarding urban planning, green spaces, traffic, and parking, and highlighted key considerations for the building’s layout.
Local residents engaged in a dialogue with the municipality, the GOO Foundation, and the Platoo Foundation, sharing their questions, comments, and ideas. The evening was productive, and a great deal of input was gathered from local residents. These insights will be incorporated into the design phase as much as possible. Local residents asked questions both during the event itself and via forms and email. Some questions overlap or concern topics on which no final decisions have yet been made at this stage. The frequently asked questions can be found in the document below.
The preliminary design is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. During that time, another meeting will be scheduled to explain the plans and gather input for the next design phase.
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Contact
Do you have any questions or comments? Please email gemeente@gemert-bakel.nl or leave a message using the button below.