About this childminding agency
GASTOU is a childminder agency (gastouderbureau) with over 30 years of experience that personally connects parents, children and childminders (gastouders). Our home base is Barneveld and we coordinate childminder care (gastouderopvang) in central Netherlands, including municipalities such as Barneveld, Nijkerk, Ermelo, Putten, Harderwijk, Lelystad, Kampen, Genemuiden, Ommen, Elburg, Hattem, Ede, Veenendaal, Woudenberg, Scherpenzeel and Renswoude. With more than 130 affiliated childminders, we don't make quick matches — instead, we work together to find care that truly suits your child and family. All childminders meet the legal requirements of the Childcare Act (Wet Kinderopvang), are registered in the National Childcare Register (LRK) and hold a first aid certificate for children.
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For parents
At GASTOU, we believe it's important that children keep the rhythm of home. Childminder care (gastouderopvang) feels very natural, with just one familiar face for children to focus on. They can happily do their own thing, together with other children in a safe, small group. There is plenty of room to do things together with the childminder (gastouder): crafting at the table, reading a book on the couch, or making music together. Just like at home, the household continues as normal, and we involve the children in that.
Subsidy & costs
As a parent, you are entitled to childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag), making the net hourly rate much lower than the gross rates. We advise parents to make use of the childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) and offer support in calculating the costs. On our website you will find a link to the Tax Authority's calculation tool for a trial calculation. We are happy to make a no-obligation customized calculation to give you certainty about the costs.
GASTOU uses rates that depend on the number of hours taken. The gross hourly rate decreases with more hours taken. No registration fees are charged. For a personal calculation of the gross hourly rate and the childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag), you can contact us. We are happy to make a no-obligation customized calculation, so you know exactly what the care costs after deduction of the childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag).
Trust & screening
Our childminders (gastouders) undergo careful screening before joining GASTOU. They must meet all legal requirements of the Childcare Act, including holding a diploma or experience certificate MBO-2 Helpende (Zorg en) Welzijn. In addition, they must possess a valid First Aid for Children (EHBO aan kinderen) certificate. All childminders (gastouders) are registered in the National Childcare Register (LRK) and are supervised by the GGD. We know all our childminders (gastouders) personally and maintain regular contact.
GASTOU is a recognized childminder agency (gastouderbureau) registered in the National Childcare Register (LRK). All affiliated childminders (gastouders) meet the legal requirements of the Childcare Act and are also LRK-registered. The GGD inspection reports for our agency and our childminders (gastouders) are publicly available via the LRK. Childminders (gastouders) hold at minimum a diploma or experience certificate MBO-2 Helpende (Zorg en) Welzijn and possess a valid First Aid for Children (EHBO aan kinderen) certificate.
Next steps
Our matching process is personal and careful:
- Non-binding registration: You register your child via our online form
- Introductory meeting: We schedule an appointment at your home to get to know you better
- Finding a match: Our mediation staff search together with you for the right childminder (gastouder)
- Meeting the childminder: You get to know the proposed childminder (gastouder)
- Start of care: If the match feels right, care can begin
Highlights
Support services
- Parent committee
- Thematic meetings
- Pedagogical support
- First Aid training
- Portabase portal
Service area cities
Service area regions
Mission & vision
GASTOU strives to provide high-quality childcare and fulfills a regional role by mediating childminder care (gastouderopvang) with professional childminders (gastouders) in Central Netherlands. Our vision is to shape our living environment together with children, parents, childminders, and other stakeholders. We are curious and explore all possibilities; with pride we show that we are reliable and strong. We offer children the space to play, develop, and meet other children.
Pedagogical vision
At GASTOU, we start from the unique, competent child who is naturally curious. That curiosity leads a child to explore and make all kinds of discoveries through play. Our childminders (gastouders) play an important role as co-educators and ensure that children feel at ease. We work according to the four statutory pedagogical goals: 1) providing physical and emotional safety, 2) developing personal competencies, 3) developing social competencies, and 4) transferring norms and values.
Linked childminders
GGD Inspection
All good
Inspection date: May 19, 2026
Strengths
- Pedagogical policy is actively discussed during intake, matching, and evaluation conversations
- Two mediation staff members have completed training as pedagogical coaches
- Approximately 75 childminders are following pedagogical modules via Kinderwijs-TV
- Risk assessments are carried out annually with concrete action points and follow-up
- Domestic violence reporting protocol is actively promoted, including a mandatory app for childminders
- Transparent financial information to parents regarding cost breakdown
- Active parent committee and separate childminder committee
- Sound digital administration in Portabase with complete files
Summary
Childminder agency GASTOU B.V. in Barneveld was inspected by the Municipal Health Service (GGD) on 19 May 2026. The agency mediates for 411 children at 108 childcare addresses in Gelderland-Midden, Utrecht, Flevoland, and Overijssel. In all examined areas (general terms and conditions, pedagogical policy, staff, safety and health, parental rights, and quality/duty of care), the agency meets statutory requirements. No violations or areas for improvement were identified. The report advises 'No enforcement' to the municipality.
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