Frequently Asked Questions About Childcare in 2025

Whether you're looking for childcare for the first time or you're already a seasoned parent, there's a lot to get your head around. In this blog, we answer the most common practical questions parents have about childcare in 2025 — with clear, straightforward answers so you know exactly where you stand.

Why Are There Waiting Lists and Staff Shortages?

Waiting lists and staff shortages are closely linked. There are several interconnected causes behind the staffing crisis:

Stricter Quality Standards and Legislation

Following the introduction of the Act on Innovation and Quality in Childcare (Wet Innovatie en Kwaliteit Kinderopvang/IKK), the rules governing the ratio of children to childcare workers have become more stringent. This is known as the staff-to-child ratio (beroepskracht-kindratio/BKR). In practice, this means more staff per group are now required to ensure quality and safety. As a result, childcare providers need more employees to accommodate the same number of children.

High Workload and Staff Turnover

The staff shortage has significantly increased the pressure on existing employees. Groups are full, substitute workers are hard to find, and schedules change frequently. This leads to higher stress levels, more sick leave, and staff leaving the sector.

Baby Boom During the COVID-19 Period

During and shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Netherlands experienced a brief baby boom. This temporarily drove up demand for childcare places, while supply shrank due to staff shortages and tightened regulations. Many of those children have now reached primary school age and are transitioning from daycare centers (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) to after-school care (BSO).

The Result: Long Waiting Lists

This combination of factors has created long waiting lists in many areas. The pressure is particularly high in urban areas and at smaller childcare locations. Many parents are aware of the wait times and sign up at multiple providers simultaneously. It sounds like a smart move, but in practice it creates additional problems:

• Waiting lists appear longer than they actually are, because many children are registered at multiple providers.
• It becomes difficult for providers to manage, as they don't know which registrations will actually go ahead.
• Parents themselves lose track, especially when each provider has a different registration process or timeline.

The result? Even more administrative pressure on childcare providers — and frustration for parents who don't know where they stand.

Childcare for Babies

In theory, babies can start childcare from as young as 6 weeks old. In practice, most providers accept babies from 10 to 12 weeks, when maternity leave typically ends — and most parents feel more comfortable with this too.

Some locations have dedicated baby groups, where children under 1 year old have their own separate space designed around their needs. When children of the same age are grouped together, this is called a horizontal group; when children of different ages are mixed together, it's called a vertical group. Want to read more about the pros and cons of each setup? Find out more here.

Tip: Talk to the childcare provider about what the settling-in period looks like. Ask about feeding routines, sleep schedules, and how they help babies adjust to new sounds and faces. Children often start with shorter days or fewer days per week. It's good to know this in advance so you can plan accordingly around your work schedule and return from parental leave.

Moving from Daycare to After-School Care (BSO)

The transition from a daycare center (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) to after-school care (BSO) is a big step for both parent and child. Here are a few tips to make it go smoothly:

• Start looking for after-school care early — ideally at least six months before your child starts primary school.
• Consider the distance between school and the after-school care location. Will your child be picked up, and how does that work exactly?
• Arrange an introductory visit so your child can get familiar with the new environment beforehand.
• Talk about the transition positively at home, so your child approaches it with confidence.
• Check whether any familiar faces from daycare will be making the same move — that can make the transition much easier.

Many after-school care providers also offer a settling-in period, giving your child time to gradually get used to the new routine.

When Is Childcare Closed?

Childcare providers are closed on official public holidays, as set out in the Childcare Collective Labour Agreement (CAO Kinderopvang), which applies to all providers across the Netherlands. These holidays are: New Year's Day, Easter Monday, King's Day, Liberation Day (5 May), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, and Christmas.

Staff Training Days May Be Charged

In addition to public holidays, many providers close for a number of staff training days each year. You'll typically receive a list of these closure dates at the start of each calendar year, giving you time to arrange alternative care or take time off work.

In 2024, the Dutch government clarified that staff training days do not qualify for childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag). Only the hours during which childcare is actually open are eligible for the benefit (with the exception of official public holidays). This means:

• Providers are allowed to charge for training days (provided this is stated in your contract).
• However, you will not receive childcare benefit from the Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) for those hours.

The cost of training days is factored into the overall rates charged by the provider. Want to know exactly which days your childcare location will be closed and whether this affects your invoice or benefit? Always check with your provider or review your contract — so there are no surprises.

Health: Can My Child Go to Childcare with Chickenpox?

In most cases: yes. Children with chickenpox who are otherwise feeling well are generally allowed to attend childcare or school. Chickenpox is already contagious before the blisters appear, which means keeping your child home often makes little difference to how it spreads. That said, providers may ask you to keep your child at home if the blisters are open or if there are already multiple cases at the location. Always let the childcare worker know that your child has chickenpox, so other parents can be informed.

What Should You Pack for Childcare?

Most childcare providers will give you a packing list for the first day. These essentials will always have you covered:

• Nappies and baby wipes
• A change of clothes
• A comfort toy or cuddly toy
• Formula or expressed breast milk (for babies)
• A plastic bag for soiled clothing
• Any medication with a doctor's prescription and instructions

Tip: Label everything with your child's name. Even socks and underwear have a way of going missing surprisingly quickly!

Switching Childcare Providers

Thinking about moving to a different childcare provider? It's straightforward, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Notify the Dutch Tax Authority of the change within 4 weeks via Mijn Toeslagen.
• Check the notice period at your current provider (usually one month).
• Don't give notice until you've confirmed there's a place available at the new location.

This way, you avoid paying for two providers at once or being left without childcare in between.

Childcare for Children with Special Needs

Not every childcare provider offers support for children with special needs, but options do exist. There's no universal name for locations that provide extra care; in some cases, a + is added to the name (for example: BSO+ De Lieveheersbeestjes).

During the intake meeting, you can discuss your child's specific needs or points of attention, so the provider can explore what tailored support is possible.

There are also Early Childhood Education and Care (VVE — Voor- en Vroegschoolse Educatie) programmes for children who could benefit from extra support in their development — such as language stimulation, social skills, or motor development. With a VVE referral (VVE-indicatie), the municipality covers a large portion of the costs, giving every child a fair chance to thrive. The referral is issued by your local child health clinic (consultatiebureau) — ask about the options at your next visit.

In Summary

Whether you're looking for care for your newborn or a great after-school programme for your primary schooler — with the right preparation, you'll always find a place that suits your family.

On Kiddie.nl, you can easily compare childcare providers by price, quality, facilities, and availability — so you can be confident your child is in good hands.