When should you start looking for childcare? When are you too early, and when are you too late? This can vary greatly by region, but we'll break it down for you. We'll distinguish between daycare centers and after-school care, and between pregnancy and moving house.
Start at the beginning; determine your wants and needs
Before you start looking around, it's smart to first get clear on what you need. How many days per week are you looking for care? Which opening hours fit your work schedule? And do you have a preference for a particular educational approach, such as Montessori or perhaps a small-scale setting?
Write down your wishes in three categories: must-haves, nice-to-haves, and dealbreakers. A green outdoor playground can be a must if your child loves being outside, while a warm meal might be less decisive. With this list in mind, you'll prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed by all the options and can compare more purposefully.
When should you look for childcare if you're pregnant?
Are you pregnant with your first child? Then the advice is: start exploring right after your first trimester. In many cities, the waiting lists for daycare centers are so long that registering during pregnancy isn't a luxury, but a necessity.
Why a spot at a daycare center is so difficult
The law dictates how many children a staff member may care for, and this is strictest for babies from 0 to 1 year old. This means fewer children can be placed in a group, and therefore a spot becomes available less quickly. The shortage of childcare workers and rising demand for care create tight supply. Popular locations sometimes operate on a first-come, first-served basis based on registration date. This means that even though you're not giving birth for another six months and have 3 months of leave, you need to reserve a spot now.
When you're too early
Some daycare centers don't accept registrations for unborn children before week 12 of pregnancy. Before that, the chance that a registration needs to be cancelled is higher, which is often painful for parents and creates too much administrative work for the provider. Here too, the rule applies: inquire per location. If a daycare center isn't willing to register you, ask when they can and set a reminder in your calendar. This way you won't miss the boat.
Alternatives to daycare center care
If the waiting lists put you off, consider a childminder. Childminder/host parent care (gastouderopvang) is more flexible and often available more quickly. Your child is cared for in a home environment, with fewer children at a time—but not fewer children per caregiver. Most childminders work from their own home, where children are brought. A small number of childminders come to your house, which is certainly interesting for families with multiple children. Note that these so-called childminders at home are in very high demand, while the supply is limited.
How far in advance to register when moving house?
Are you moving to another city or neighborhood? Then different timelines apply than with pregnancy. It depends on your child's age and the type of care you're looking for.
Moving with a daycare center
For a daycare center (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) spot, I advise starting your search three to six months before the move. This gives you time to schedule tours, review the Municipal Health Service (GGD) inspection reports, and make a well-considered choice. In busy regions, it's better to err on the generous side. Also ask whether your current care provider has a partnership with a location in your new place of residence; sometimes you get priority. The younger the child, the harder it is to find an available spot in the group due to the BKR regulation.
After-school care and moving
For after-school care (BSO), practices vary more widely. Most BSOs accept registrations around your child's second year of life, meaning parents register two years in advance. Specific locations tied to a particular primary school fill up quickly. On the other hand, the BKR is more flexible for children at BSO, leaving more room in planning and spots becoming available sooner. There are also BSO locations that pick up children from a wider area with minibuses, which expands your options.
What determines the waiting time for a childcare spot?
Not every waiting list is the same. Various factors influence how long you have to wait for a spot.
Popular locations
Daycare centers with an excellent reputation, green outdoor spaces, or a distinctive educational vision often have longer waiting lists. Locations near train stations or in new housing developments are also in demand. But sometimes a location is simply well-known and parents follow each other, sometimes unaware of alternatives in the neighborhood. Don't just ask about the current waiting time, but also about the number of children starting each year. A list of twenty children sounds long, but if five spots become available each quarter, you'll get in faster than with a list of ten with one spot per year.
Urban pressure versus rural space
In large cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Den Haag, the pressure on childcare is higher than in rural areas. Here you'll see extreme waiting lists of sometimes more than a year. Staff shortages are often a major problem here, or spaces are unsuitable because, for example, there isn't enough outdoor space available. In rural areas, locations are more likely to close when the number of children in a neighborhood declines, which causes problems for other parents.
Popular days
Tuesday and Thursday are the most requested days for daycare centers, with Monday a close second, because many parents work then. Wednesday and Friday see far fewer children at care, but there are also fewer childcare workers. Ask your employer about flexibility in your schedule; sometimes it helps to swap a day.
So, just register everywhere and wait?
No. Registering at twenty locations sounds like a safety net, but it leads to chaos. You'll get confirmation letters everywhere, sometimes with registration fees, and have to keep track of where you actually stand yourself. Moreover, organizations plan in very different ways, which can mean you sign a contract with location A because you think it's your only option, while later getting an offer from option B that actually suits you much better.
Choose five to seven locations that truly match your wishes. Visit at least three, ask your questions, and get a feel for the atmosphere. A good match is something you feel; not just on paper, but also in the interaction between staff and children. Trust your judgment and register definitively at the location where you and your child feel most at ease.
Get started
Start today by drawing up your wish list. Then search on Kiddie.nl for childcare in your region and compare locations based on GGD reports, parent facilities, and practical matters like opening hours. This way you won't just find any spot, but the spot where your child can grow up.
