Why does childcare seem so expensive?
When you see your bank statement for the childcare payment, it can give you quite a shock. As explained here (link: 2. het huidige stelsel) and here (link: 7. Tips om te besparen), you first pay the full bill for the care yourself, and that can run into thousands of euros per month. But don't panic—because the largest portion is reimbursed through the childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag). We'll explain how it works.
Look at the bottom line
You pay the full cost of the care yourself to the daycare center (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) or childminder agency. However, the benefit is deposited into your account beforehand, around the 20th of the previous month. This means the money should already be there before you pay the bill. The high amount on your bank statement may feel like the actual cost, but ultimately, you need to look at the bottom line.
Read more about applying (link: 3. Hoe vraag ik kinderopvangtoeslag aan?), the payout (link: 4. Berekenen) and the calculation of the childcare benefit.
Have the benefit paid directly to the childcare provider
Would you rather not see that large amount at all? Then you can have the benefit paid out directly to the childcare location. The government then pays the provider directly, and you only pay your own portion. This way, the amount on your bank statement immediately shows what you actually pay out of pocket. You arrange this via Mijn Toeslagen by selecting 'Toeslag uitbetalen aan opvang'.
Childcare becomes simpler from 2029
It's also good to know that the situation will change from 2029. Then the government will pay the childcare provider directly, without you having to pay the full amount first. We explain the new system here (link: 5. het nieuwe stelsel).
