Childcare and a second child: how does it work for siblings?

Many parents wonder whether childcare works differently when a second (or third) child comes along. The short answer is: yes, slightly.

There are two main differences:

• Siblings are often given priority for placement.
• Parents receive a higher childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag), which lowers the net cost per child.

But there are also some practical things to keep in mind. Read on to find out what changes — and what stays the same.

Priority placement at childcare locations

Most childcare organisations give priority to siblings of children already enrolled at the same location. This way, children can be cared for together, making drop-off and pick-up much more convenient for parents. This policy is not required by law — it's a choice made by each individual childcare provider. Always check the policy at your specific location.

Also good to know:

• Priority typically applies only within the same branch or location.
• Placement depends on your child's age and how groups are organised.
• Register your second child in good time, so the childcare provider can factor this into their planning.

Higher childcare benefit for a second child

The Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) uses an income-dependent table to calculate the childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag). For a second and any subsequent child, a higher reimbursement percentage applies. This means you pay a lower personal contribution, even if the gross hourly rate remains the same.

For the exact percentage, visit the Belastingdienst website.

Day-to-day childcare in practice

The daily childcare experience is largely the same for every child, but there can be small differences:

• In age-based groups, siblings may be placed in different groups due to the age gap. In mixed-age groups, they may be together in the same group.
• On Kiddie.nl, you can see whether a childcare location uses age-based or mixed-age grouping.
• Many locations create shared moments for all children, such as outdoor play or group celebrations.

Talk to the location about how they accommodate families with multiple children. It can make planning a lot easier.

Scenario: twins or multiples

Things work slightly differently with twins or multiples. They count as separate children for the childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) — meaning you receive a higher benefit for one of the children (the exact percentage depends on your income).

Twins are also often placed together in the same group. However, keep in mind that the staff-to-child ratio (beroepskracht-kindratio/BKR) — the number of children one childcare worker is permitted to supervise — still applies to each child individually.

When registering, make sure to clearly indicate that you have twins, so the childcare provider can take this into account when arranging groups.

Tips for parents with multiple children in childcare

• Register your child on time: the same timelines apply — around 6 months before your desired start date.
• Coordinate drop-off and pick-up times: this helps you avoid making separate trips.
• Review your childcare benefit annually: even a small change in income can affect your reimbursement percentage.

Conclusion

Childcare for a second child works much the same way, but often comes with priority placement, a higher benefit, and added convenience for families. With Kiddie.nl, you can easily compare childcare locations by price, availability, and policy — so you can quickly find a place where all your children are welcome together.