It's never too early to register your child for day-care. If you are not superstitious, when you are pregnant is not too early. Governmental policy (in English) can be found on the ministry site www.szw.nl.

Options include:

Kinderdagverblijf: Public daycare for children aged 6 weeks to 4 years. Centres are generally open from 8.00-18.00. Find a local one at www.kinderopvang.net or umbrella organisationSKON (www.skon.nl – click addressen) or search at www.blueumbrella.nl. Urban areas have a shortage so expect long waiting lists.

Private daycare: In large cities there are private facilities with longer (up to 24 hour) opening hours, which are considerably more expensive, as well as international nurseries and pre-school establishments.

Pre-school/playgroups (peuterspeelzalen): Activities and play for 2- 4 year olds. This is more often a social thing rather than proper daycare but—if you can get a place—it might be sufficient if you intend to work part-time. Some employers have their own daycare arrangements or local daycare places.

After-school care: Some daycare centres provide this (for children up to 12) but it is also provided by buitenschoolseopvang (BSO) and naschoolse opvang establishments (also on www.kinderopvang.net).

Child benefit
At the moment, anyone living or working in the Netherlands is entitled to the kinderbijslag, a quarterly contribution to the cost of raising children from the Sociale Verzerkerings Bank (SVB). The amount depends on the number of children in your household, special needs etc. but is not income-related. It can be paid into an international bank account (but this will take longer). Find information in six languages and a list of local offices at www.svb.nl.

Childcare allowance
At the moment, anyone living or working in the Netherlands is entitled to the childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag). This is a contribution to the cost of childcare, whether for a childcare centre, afterschool care or a private childminder (gastouder). The allowance can reduce childcare costs by up to 90 percent, depending on income and number of children. Calculate your own benefi t via www.blueumbrella.nl/childcare-allowance/calculator.html. Contact the tax office for details. From January 2010, however, proposed changes to the Dutch Childcare Act will take effect. Most notably, the childcare allowance will be reduced for private childminders and cancelled for live-in childminders. Private childminders will need to show proof of formal training and/or experience, and first aid training will become mandatory for all childminders. Childminders will not be allowed to work at two or more different addresses.

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