Gastouderbureau Bij de hand
Childminding agency•Epe•LRK 295706442
Details updated on 11 September 2026
About this childminding agency
Bij de hand is a registered childminder agency (gastouderbureau) that has been providing mediation and guidance for small-scale home-based childcare since 2004. The agency helps parents find a suitable childminder (gastouder) through careful selection, with the specific wishes and needs of parents at the forefront. Bij de hand operates in the Zwolle-Nunspeet-Apeldoorn-Deventer region and has more than 250 childminders affiliated, who care for approximately 800 children between the ages of 0 and 12. The agency handles the cashier function required by the government and offers support with applications for childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) as a Help and Information Point of the Dutch Tax Administration.
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For parents
Bij de hand offers parents flexible childminder (gastouder) care in a homely environment for children aged 0 to 12. The agency matches parents with childminders based on specific wishes and needs, with personal attention and tailored solutions at the heart of the service. Parents receive support with financial administration through the cashier function and can count on help with applying for childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag).
Subsidy & costs
Bij de hand is a Help and Information Point of the Tax Authority for childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag). Parents can ask the agency to review their application or ask questions about changes. The agency can guide parents by telephone with their first application and help with making changes or understanding letters from the Tax Authority. This service is included in the agency costs. To qualify for childcare benefit, both the childminder and the childminder agency must be listed in the National Childcare Register.
Parents at Bij de hand pay two types of costs: agency costs and childminder compensation. The agency costs are a fixed monthly amount, depending on the number of children, and are competitive within the service area. The childminder compensation varies between €6.50 and €9.00 per child per hour, depending on the service provided and the childminder's experience. Childminders set their own rate. Payment of the childminder compensation runs through Bij de hand, which handles the government-mandated cashier function. For an introduction at a childminder, the agency provides information about specific financial conditions.
Trust & screening
Bij de hand applies a careful screening procedure for childminders. All prospective childminders must hold at least a diploma or experience certificate at MBO-2 level in Helpende (Zorg en) Welzijn (Healthcare and Welfare Assistant). In addition, Certificates of Good Conduct (VOG) are requested for the childminder, adult household members and people who are regularly present during care. These certificates are registered in the Childcare Persons Register, which is checked daily for criminal offences. During selection, motivation, care circumstances such as hygiene and safety, and the specific wishes of parents play an important role.
Bij de hand is a registered childminder agency that is inspected annually by the GGD Noord- en Oost-Gelderland (Municipal Health Service). All childminders hold at least a diploma or experience certificate at MBO-2 level in Helpende (Zorg en) Welzijn (Healthcare and Welfare Assistant) and possess a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG). The agency carries out home visits to childminders at least twice a year, one of which includes a risk assessment for safety and health. Bij de hand is a member of the Brancheorganisatie Kinderopvang (Childcare Industry Association) and holds a complaint-free certificate.
Next steps
The matching process at Bij de hand follows several steps:
- No-obligation intake: A telephone, digital or in-person conversation to discuss wishes, ideas about care and upbringing, and financial aspects.
- Definitive registration: Following the intake conversation, both the parent and agency decide on definitive registration.
- Suitable proposal: Within an agreed timeframe, the agency presents a suitable proposal with appropriate childminder(s).
- Introduction: Parents meet the proposed childminder(s) and their family.
- Trial care: If desired, a trial period follows to experience whether the match feels right.
The entire process is tailored and can be adapted to the parents' needs.
Highlights
Support services
- Home visits
- Annual evaluation
- Newsletters
- Workshops
- Parent committee
- Replacement care
- Subsidy help
- Cashier function
Service area cities
Service area regions
Mission & vision
Bij de hand's mission is to mediate small-scale childcare for all children, safeguard childcare quality, encourage knowledge development and training of the childminder (gastouder), and serve as a point of contact and information resource for both parents and childminders. In all of these objectives, the child's best interests come first. Open, honest and clear communication are the core values of Bij de hand.
Pedagogical vision
Bij de hand's pedagogical vision is based on the four goals from the Childcare Quality Policy Rules: providing children with emotional security, offering opportunities to develop social competencies, offering opportunities to develop personal competencies, and the transfer of norms and values. The agency expects childminders to create a climate in which these goals can be achieved, based on the principle that children must feel safe in order to enjoy their time in care.
Linked childminders
GGD Inspection
All good
Inspection date: September 1, 2025
Strengths
- The pedagogical policy plan 'BIJ DE HAND-LEIDING' meets all requirements and contains a clear vision on emotional safety
- Childminders (gastouders) receive ample opportunities for training, workshops and networking
- Contact between the agency and childminders is experienced as pleasant and accessible
- All childminders hold valid Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) documents and are properly registered in the Childcare Personnel Register
- The safety and health risk assessment is up to date, signed and accessible to parents
- The domestic violence and child abuse reporting protocol is complete and actively promoted
- Parents receive clear information about the cost distribution between the agency and childminder
Summary
Childminder agency (gastouderbureau) Bij de hand in Epe was inspected on 1 September 2025 by the Municipal Health Service (GGD) Noord- en Oost-Gelderland. The annual inspection shows that the childminder agency meets all assessed legal requirements. No violations or areas for improvement were identified. The agency provides childminder care (gastouderopvang) in the region and places great value on good contact with childminders and parents. The licence holder provided full cooperation with the inspection.
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