Stelma van Vilsteren

Welkom-Kind Friesland offers parents small-scale, homely childminder care (gastouderopvang) spread throughout Friesland. The agency mediates between parents and carefully selected childminders, with attention to a good personal match. Parents can choose from two packages: a basic package if they have already found a childminder themselves, or a regular package where the agency actively searches. With both options, emergency care is available for continuity during illness or holiday.

The team of three mediation staff maintain regular contact with both childminders and parents and offer guidance during the matching process and throughout the care period. The agency is registered in the National Childcare Register (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang), which means parents are entitled to childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag).

Welkom-Kind Friesland mediates childminder care throughout Friesland. The three mediation staff are active in different regions: Jolanda in Oosterwolde, Drachten and the Hindeloopen area; Tina in Oldeberkoop, Sneek and Lemmer; and Lisanne in the (north)east of Friesland. Childminders are spread across the entire province, enabling the agency to help parents in various Frisian municipalities find suitable care close to home.

Welkom-Kind Friesland is a registered childminder agency (gastouderbureau) in the National Childcare Register (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang) and meets all legal requirements. The agency undergoes annual GGD inspections and the inspection reports are publicly available via the website of the municipality of Ooststellingwerf or can be requested from the agency. All childminders must meet strict requirements, including a Certificate of Good Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag), a valid first aid certificate, and relevant training. The agency carries out risk assessments at care locations and has a complaints procedure with the possibility of submission to the disputes committee.