Are you pregnant or already thinking about childcare for your child? Or do you have a child who will soon be starting school and are you looking for after-school care? Then you're probably wondering when you should start your search. The good news is: most children can be placed on or around their desired start date. But since not every parent finds a spot right away, it's wise to start looking in good time. In this article, we'll first cover childcare for children aged 0–4, and then for children aged 4–12. We'll outline the current situation, your chances of finding a place, and some practical tips.
Childcare Waiting Times Monitor – disclaimer
For this article, we used data from the Childcare Waiting Times Monitor (Monitor Wachttijden Kinderopvang), commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. The monitor currently contains data from 2022 and 2023. To keep things as current as possible, we've based our analysis on the end of 2023, with the caveat that the situation may have shifted somewhat since then.
Childcare for children aged 0–4 (daycare center/kinderdagverblijf/KDV)
The current situation
Recent research from the Ministry of Social Affairs shows that the situation around daycare centers is more nuanced than is often assumed. Let's look at the numbers:
- Around 60% of children can start on their desired start date
- 25% have to wait 1–3 months
- 15% have to wait longer than 3 months
The average waiting time at daycare centers was 1.9 months at the end of 2023 — an improvement compared to early 2023, when it was 2.3 months. These figures show that most parents manage to find a spot within three months of their desired start date. Still, it's smart to start your search early, as several factors can affect your chances. For example, parents register on average 6 months before their desired start date.
When should you start looking?
Let's work out exactly when you should kick off your childcare search. We'll count back from the date you want your child to start:
From birth to starting childcare:
- 40 weeks of pregnancy
- Childcare typically starts when the child is 3–4 months old
- Average waiting time: 2 months
- Average registration lead time: 6 months
- Time for initial research: 1–2 months
Our advice: Start exploring your options at around 15–16 weeks pregnant. Register at around 20 weeks pregnant — this gives you 7–8 months to secure a spot.
What affects your chances?
- Where you live: Your location has a big impact on childcare availability. Waiting times are slightly longer in highly urban areas — for example, in the G4 cities (Amsterdam, Den Haag, Rotterdam, Utrecht), 53% can start within a month and 78% within 3 months. But rural areas can also be tricky, simply because there are fewer providers to choose from. Mid-sized cities tend to offer a smoother experience when it comes to finding a place.
- Days of the week: Not all weekdays are equally popular, but the figures are fairly consistent across the board: 65% can start within a month and 80% within 3 months. This is likely because daycare centers plan extra capacity on high-demand days.
- Age: Chances are best for children aged 0–1 (68% within a month, 89% within 3 months). Waiting times are longest for 1–2 year-olds (49% within a month, 71% within 3 months), while 2–4 year-olds fall somewhere in between (65% within a month, 80% within 3 months).
Practical tips
- Start your search 9 months before your desired start date
- Register at multiple locations. This not only improves your chances of finding a spot, but also gives you the opportunity to compare different daycare centers.
- Consider childminder/host parent care (gastouderopvang). Waiting times for this type of care for young children are typically shorter than for daycare centers — see the data below.
- Be flexible where possible
- Ask about the possibility of adding extra days later if you can't get all your preferred days right away.
Childminder/host parent care (gastouderopvang) for children aged 0–4
Childminder care offers a home-like setting and comes with the shortest waiting times: nationally, 76% of children can start within a month and 88% within 3 months. In the G4 cities, waiting times are longer: 64% can start within a month and 80% within 3 months. Parents also tend to register later on average — about 4 months before the desired start date. This makes childminder care a practically attractive option as well.
After-school care (BSO) for children aged 4–12
The situation for after-school care (BSO) looks a little different from daycare centers. The Ministry of Social Affairs' recent research shows the following:
Nationally, 75% of children can start BSO within a month and 88% within 3 months. The average waiting time for BSO was around 2.0 months at the end of 2023 — again an improvement compared to early 2023, when it was around 2.3 months.
As with daycare centers, parents register on average 6 months before their desired start date. This is well ahead of time, and since BSO start dates often coincide with the beginning of the school year, they're generally easier to plan for.
One notable finding for BSO is the significant regional variation. In rural areas, 20% of parents wait longer than 3 months, compared to just 6% in highly urban areas.
For childminder care, 10% of parents wait longer than 3 months.
When should you start looking?
Finding after-school care is generally easier to plan, because you know exactly when your child will be starting school. Most children start school right after their fourth birthday or at the beginning of the new school year.
Timeline for finding a BSO place:
- Average waiting time: 2 months
- Average registration lead time: 6 months
- Time needed for research and visiting locations: 1–2 months
Our advice: Start exploring your options 9 months before your desired start date and register 7–8 months in advance.
- If starting in August/September: begin in January
- If starting on your child's 4th birthday: begin 9 months earlier
- Keep school holidays in mind — BSO providers may be less available for tours during these periods
Extra tip: since many BSO providers work closely with specific schools, it's worth factoring in BSO options when choosing a school. Start researching BSO at the same time as you begin looking at schools.
Below, we discuss various factors that can influence your chances and may mean you need to start your search even earlier.
What affects your chances?
- Where you live: BSO shows different patterns from daycare centers. Waiting times are longest in rural areas (20% wait more than 3 months), while urban areas actually have relatively short waiting times (6%). This may be because cities have more BSO locations to choose from.
- Days of the week: Waiting times are similar across all weekdays, with 85% able to start within a month and 90% within 3 months. Interestingly, Mondays and Tuesdays tend to have slightly better availability than Fridays — possibly because fewer BSO staff are available on Fridays.
- Age: Waiting times are broadly similar across all age groups, with around 80% able to start within a month and 85–90% within 3 months.
Practical tips
Start your search in good time. Finding BSO is often easier to plan since you know when your child starts school — but it still pays to get ahead of it:
- Begin your search 6–9 months before the first day of school
- Start by looking at BSO providers that work with your chosen school, but also check other nearby locations.
- Ask about holiday care if you need it — not all BSO providers offer this.
- Check whether a settling-in period is available for your child
- Find out whether your child can transition from a daycare center run by the same organisation
Childminder/host parent care (gastouderopvang) for children aged 4–12
With a childminder, your child is cared for in a home setting, usually with a small group of children. This means plenty of personal attention and a calm environment — which can be especially welcome for children who need to wind down after a busy school day.
Waiting times for childminders are on average shorter than for BSO — around 1.5 months compared to 2 months for BSO. While 14% of parents wait more than 3 months for a BSO place, that figure drops to 10.1% for childminder care. Parents also tend to register later — around 4 months in advance, compared to 6 months for BSO.
Nationally, 76% can start within a month and 88% within 3 months. In the G4 cities, waiting times are longer: 64% can start within a month and 80% within 3 months.
Alternative options for all ages
Finding a spot at your preferred provider from your ideal start date is of course the goal — but it's worth thinking creatively too:
- Consider whether you can adjust your working days to match available spots. Or discuss with your employer whether working from home on certain days is an option.
- Build a network with other parents for informal childcare arrangements
- Ask about availability at other branches of the same organisation
In conclusion
While finding childcare can sometimes feel like a puzzle, it usually works out. Most children find a place on or shortly after their desired start date. By starting your search early and keeping your options open, you give yourself the best chance of finding the right fit for your child.
Throughout your search, keep the lines of communication open with childcare providers:
- Check in regularly for updates on your position
- Let them know if your situation changes
- Let them know if you've found a place elsewhere
For more information on waiting times in your area, visit www.wachttijdenkinderopvang.nl. You can also reach out directly to childcare providers near you for advice tailored to your specific situation.
