Basics of the Dutch childcare system

The Dutch system recognises two primary forms of childcare; informal and formal care. Daycare centres, home daycares and after-school care are considered formal childcare. However, occasional babysitters and lunch-break care are deemed informal. This distinction is made as formal care must adhere to the rules and regulations of the official Dutch Childcare Act. Furthermore, parents using formal childcare are entitled to the childcare allowance.

However, the Childcare Act will undergo major modifications effective from 1 January 2010. Among the many changes, private childcare givers (gastouders) will need to show proof of formal training and/or experience, and first aid training will become mandatory for all childminders. Most notably, the childcare allowance will be reduced and, in the case of live-in childminders, even discontinued. The proposed changes are expected to be finalised by October 2009.

The Dutch Childcare Act and the Childcare Allowance

The Dutch Childcare Act of 2005 was created in order to increase the participation of women in the work force, the accessibility of childcare and the competition between childcare providers, thereby lowering fees. The act provides for the financing of formal childcare and maintains quality and supervision standards for all childcare services.

According to the Dutch Childcare Act, parents, employers and the government must jointly bear the costs of formal childcare. The government does so by imposing a childcare levy on all employers.

The childcare allowance is provided on a per child basis, whereby an allowance is determined and provided for each child. The allowance is capped at a maximum hourly rate, which is adjusted annually. The maximum hourly rate for 2008 was EUR 6.10 per hour.

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