People-centered bulk recruitment at a national childcare organization

Written by: Julie van Mameren, HX professional, September 2025

In this case study, you’ll learn how Julie van Mameren, an HX professional at Rvdb, took on an interim recruitment role at a childcare organization. The focus is on how she used an HX approach to manage bulk recruitment in a tight labor market.

In June 2025, I joined a national childcare organization with over 900 locations in the Netherlands. Due to severe shortages in the childcare sector, the organization faced the challenge of quickly and sustainably filling many open positions for childcare workers. Finding qualified candidates who not only met the requirements but also fit in with the warm, people-oriented culture was essential.

Challenge: Bulk Recruitment in a Tight Labor Market

The organization was struggling with chronic shortages of teaching staff. This involved bulk recruitment, where speed and quality had to go hand in hand, while at the same time there was a high risk of short-term placements if the match proved unsustainable. It was tempting to focus primarily on rapid recruitment. The real challenge, however, lay in achieving sustainable matches, so that new employees would remain with the organization for the long term and could develop within the teams.

My role and approach

As a recruiter, I took on the responsibility of ensuring both speed and quality:

Screening candidates based on objective criteria (degrees, credentials) and motivation;
Introductory phone interviews with thought-provoking and creative questions to assess personal fit;
Proactively reach out to site managers—especially at priority sites—to speed up processing times;
Updates and adjustments to prevent candidates from getting stuck due to system limitations (AFAS);
People-centered approach: evaluating candidates not only on their qualifications, but also on their motivation, values, and personality;
Alignment with core values: Development, Safety & Security, Fun & Togetherness, Sustainability & Professionalism.

This approach ensured that the human element remained central, even in the context of bulk recruitment.

Lessons and Insights: The Human Touch in Bulk Recruitment

During this assignment, I learned how important it is to ask active and critical follow-up questions during conversations. A key eye-opener was that successful placements often result from personal attention, not just from matching degrees and requirements. So delving deeper into motivation and driving factors leads to better matches. It also became clear that communication is crucial, both with candidates and with managers. Where systems fell short, personal contact could resolve many issues.

Result: Long-term matches and strengthened staffing levels

Thanks to my proactive and personalized approach, I was able to fill several open positions despite the tight job market. This led to sustainable placements in which new employees were better aligned with their teams and the organization’s core values. As a result, staffing levels improved and the risk of turnover decreased. For me personally, this provided valuable experience in bulk recruitment and a people-centered approach. I’ve learned that proactive communication, taking responsibility beyond established systems, and prioritizing the human element are essential for success in future assignments.