Gastouderbureau Berend Botje B.V.

Berend Botje is an official partner of the Dutch Tax Administration and can help parents with applying for childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag). With the comfort package, we arrange the full benefit application and any changes, provided parents authorise us via DigiD. We advance the childcare benefit for up to 3 months at the start of care, as it takes some time before the Tax Administration pays out. Parents receive monthly invoices on which the benefit can be offset, resulting in a net amount. We submit monthly care data to the Tax Administration and advise parents to double-check this information.

The costs for childminder care (gastouderopvang) consist of care costs (paid to the childminder) and administrative costs (paid to the childminder agency). Parents can choose between a comfort package or basic package. The comfort package includes full placement, benefit administration, and support, while with the basic package parents find a childminder themselves and arrange the benefit. Berend Botje uses rates at the fiscal maximum hourly rate, so parents receive childcare benefit on all costs. Through our online cost calculator, parents can non-committally calculate what childminder care costs in their situation.

Our screening process for childminders is thorough and goes beyond the legal requirements. All childminders must be at least 21 years old (legally 18), have a recognised MBO diploma, hold a valid paediatric first aid certificate, and submit a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG). In addition, they follow our mandatory basic training and must register in the Childcare Personnel Register (Personenregister Kinderopvang). We prepare the VOG application and pay the costs for childminders who work exclusively for Berend Botje. We carry out annual risk assessments at the care location.

Berend Botje Gastouderbureau meets all legal requirements and is registered in the National Childcare Register (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang). We set higher standards for our childminders than the Childcare Act prescribes, including mandatory basic training, a first aid certificate for children, and Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) declarations. We carry out annual risk assessments at childminders' locations and have taken out collective liability and accident insurance. Our GGD inspection reports are publicly accessible, and we work with a recognised reporting code for domestic violence and child abuse.