The price for after-school care (BSO) varies by location, but also by municipality in the Netherlands. What explains these differences? How is the price calculated again? And might it be more advantageous to choose the 40-week package? In this blog, we explain it all.
Why hourly rates for after-school care vary by municipality
Hourly rates for after-school care (BSO) vary widely across the Netherlands. While the government applies a maximum hourly rate of €9.98 for childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) in 2026, childcare organizations set the actual rate themselves. That difference doesn't come out of nowhere. Some municipalities have higher land prices, stricter building requirements, or a tighter labor market for childcare workers. It also matters whether an organization benefits from or suffers from scale: a small village provider operates with a different cost structure than a national chain in an urban area.
For you as a parent, this means that choosing after-school care (BSO) in one municipality has different financial implications than in another. It's not just a matter of what the government reimburses, but mainly of what you yourself have to contribute when the hourly rate exceeds the maximum hourly price.
What the difference between hourly rate and maximum hourly rate means for your wallet
The childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) is calculated based on the hours you use and depends on your income. The government applies a maximum hourly rate of €9.98 for after-school care (BSO) in 2026. If you use childcare at an organization that charges €11.50 per hour, the Tax Authority reimburses a percentage up to €9.98. You pay the difference of €1.52 per hour entirely yourself. With two children who each go to after-school care (BSO) for twelve hours a week, that quickly adds up to more than a hundred euros per month.
How much benefit you receive depends on your assessed income. In 2026, the following applies: incomes up to €56,412 receive up to 96% reimbursement, higher incomes receive a lower percentage with a minimum of 36.5%. So it's smart to not only look at the gross hourly rate, but to calculate your net costs. On calculate childcare benefit, we explain how to do this step by step.
The most expensive municipalities for after-school care in 2026
According to the most recent industry data, municipalities in the Randstad and several growth centers rank among the most expensive. Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Haarlemmermeer, and Utrecht consistently score high, with average hourly rates well above the national average. Cities such as Den Haag, Rotterdam, and Eindhoven also rank in the top, partly due to high housing costs and staff shortages.
What's notable is that not only large cities are expensive. Some villa districts and municipalities with many commuters, such as Laren, Blaricum, and Wassenaar, also have high rates. This is because childcare organizations here often work on a smaller scale with fewer children per group, which increases the cost per hour. For you as a parent, this means that in these areas you need to account for a higher personal contribution, despite the same maximum hourly rate for benefit.
The cheapest municipalities for after-school care in 2026
On the other end of the spectrum, we find mainly municipalities in the north and east of the country, plus several medium-sized cities in the provinces. Groningen, Leeuwarden, Zwolle, and Enschede belong to the more affordable regions, with hourly rates closer to the maximum hourly rate or not even reaching it. This means that the benefit often covers a larger portion of the rate and you as a parent pay less out of pocket.
Also in rural areas such as Achterhoek, Drenthe, and parts of Zeeland, rates are lower. Lower housing costs and a less tight labor market play a role here. Note: cheaper is not necessarily lower quality. The Municipal Health Service (GGD) inspection reports are still the best tool to verify whether an after-school care (BSO) meets legal requirements. A low rate may simply mean that the cost structure is more favorable, not that quality is being cut.
40 weeks or 52 weeks: which after-school care package suits your situation
Besides the hourly rate, your contract choice also determines how much you pay monthly. Most after-school care (BSO) providers offer packages for 40 weeks (school weeks without holidays) or 52 weeks (with holiday care). The difference in costs is considerable, but whether it actually works out cheaper depends on how you fill in the holidays.
When to choose 40 weeks without holidays
A 40-week contract is interesting if you arrange holidays differently. Think of parents who work part-time and can cover the school holidays themselves, or families with grandparents who want to babysit. Also, if your partner works irregular hours and is sometimes home during holidays, this package can offer a solution.
But watch out: the hourly rate for the 40-week contract is higher, so the difference often ends up being smaller. Additionally, booking separate holiday days is often more expensive, causing the price difference with a 52-week contract to quickly disappear. So calculate in advance how many days you can actually fill in yourself. On tips to save money with childcare benefit, you can read how to approach this structurally.
When to choose 52 weeks with holiday care
A 52-week contract offers certainty. Your child always has a place, in all school holidays and also on study days. This package is practical when both parents work, if you don't have a network that can step in, or if your child particularly needs structure and stability.
Financially, this package seems more expensive, but that doesn't have to be the case. Moreover, you also receive childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) for those holiday weeks, as long as you stay within your maximum hours. If you arrange alternative childcare during holidays, you generally don't receive benefit for that. Do check how the after-school care (BSO) fills in holidays: some locations close for a week in summer, or merge groups at a different location. Ask about this during the tour.
Getting started
Choosing childcare is more than comparing prices, but what you pay is part of the decision. Start by mapping out your net costs: convert the hourly rate of the after-school care (BSO) in your municipality to your personal contribution after benefit. Then compare 40- and 52-week contracts based on your actual childcare needs, not based on what you think they should be. On kiddie.nl, you can easily compare after-school care (BSO) providers in your region by rate, opening hours, and GGD rating, so you make a choice that fits your situation and your budget.