As of 1 July 2024, a number of changes have been introduced to the Dutch Childcare Act. You can find the full legal text here, but if you'd rather read the summary, this article breaks down the new rules and how they differ from the previous regulations — so you know exactly what this means for you as a parent.
What does the new legislation say?
From 1 July 2024, several adjustments have been made to the quality requirements for both daycare and after-school care (BSO). Here's an overview of the most relevant changes:
Calculation of the staff-to-child ratio (beroepskracht-kindratio/BKR):
- Previously: The BKR was calculated per group.
- Now: The BKR is calculated at the level of the childcare centre as a whole, rather than per individual group. This allows for greater flexibility in how groups are organised, based on the needs and development of the children, with a maximum of 30 children per group.
Use of differently qualified professionals:
- Professional experts such as musicians or sports coaches may now also contribute to children's development, provided they have completed a pedagogical module. These professionals can take on formal roles within childcare settings, as long as they are supported by fully qualified colleagues.
Flexibility on school-free days:
- Children can now more easily be cared for at a different childcare centre belonging to the same provider, without this needing to be specifically set out in a written agreement with the parents.
Trainee childcare workers:
- Childcare workers who are still in training may now also serve as a 'familiar face' for children, provided they have completed their first year of study and receive adequate supervision.
What does this mean for parents?
These changes can affect you as a parent in several ways:
- Flexibility: The new centre-wide approach to calculating the BKR — rather than per group — can lead to better group organisation and capacity planning, which may result in improved care as well as more available places.
- Quality of care: The ability to bring in specialists with specific skills can enhance the quality of activities on offer, such as music, sport, and play.
- Care on school-free days: The new rules make it easier for you to arrange childcare on school-free days, which can help with planning care around school holidays and other days off.
Conclusion
The updated childcare regulations open up new possibilities for childcare centres to operate more flexibly and to better meet the needs of both children and their parents. The intention is that these changes will also help reduce the workload on staff and make more places available for children.
