About this childminding agency
Gastouderbureau Mellebel is a placement agency for childminder care (gastouderopvang) in North Holland, based in Hoogwoud (municipality of Opmeer). Since 2020, Mellebel has provided personal mediation between parents seeking childcare and carefully selected childminders (gastouders). The agency works exclusively with registered childminders who meet all legal requirements and high quality standards.
Mellebel stands for small-scale, homely childcare with the child at the centre. Parents receive personal guidance in finding a childminder who truly fits their family, wishes and parenting style. The agency carries out inspections at childminders' homes at least twice a year, including risk assessments for safety and health.
With the motto 'live and let live', Mellebel guides both parents and childminders and offers support with childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag). The agency works with 9 childminders and 27 children from 18 families, with personal contact and sustainable cooperation at the heart of everything they do.
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For parents
At Mellebel, we search together for the childminder (gastouder) who truly fits your family and your child. We listen to your wishes and look at what matters to you: hours, location, parenting style, and of course a safe and loving environment. This way, we ensure a match that feels right for you and that your child happily goes to.
We only work with childminders who meet all legal requirements AND our high quality standards. Our childminders are checked at least twice a year, including one risk assessment. This way, you can be assured of a safe environment for your child.
Subsidy & costs
When you use childcare through Childminder Agency (gastouderbureau) Mellebel, you are entitled to childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) from the Tax and Customs Administration. Mellebel offers support with applying for this benefit and informs parents about the conditions and procedures.
The childcare costs consist of two parts: the childminder's hourly rate (usually between €6.50 and €8.50 per hour per child) and Mellebel's agency fees. You pay part of the costs yourself as a mandatory own contribution, while the childcare benefit covers a large portion of the remaining costs.
The costs for childminder care through Mellebel consist of two components:
Childminder rate: Childminders are self-employed and set their own hourly rate, usually between €6.50 and €8.50 per hour per child. For in-home service, a fixed hourly rate is agreed upon.
Mellebel agency fees (2026):
- 1 child: €62.50 per month
- 2 children: €72.50 per month
- 3 children or more: €82.50 per month
- Grandparent care: €45 per family per month
The agency fees cover mediation, guidance, risk assessments, invoicing, administration, pedagogical advice, and disputes committee membership.
Trust & screening
Mellebel maintains strict qualification requirements for childminders. All childminders must:
- Hold a valid diploma at least at MBO-2 level, focused on (child)care or education
- Have a valid first aid certificate for children
- Be registered in the National Childcare Register (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang/LRK)
- Hold a valid Certificate of Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag/VOG)
- Demonstrable knowledge of hygiene and safety
- Work according to the guidelines of the Childcare Act (Wet Kinderopvang)
- Be willing to undergo annual inspections and guidance by the childminder agency
- Have sufficient command of the Dutch language (oral and written)
Additionally, Mellebel carries out home visits during which the childcare location is checked for safety, hygiene, and fire safety.
Mellebel meets all legal requirements of the Childcare Act (Wet kinderopvang) and is inspected annually by GGD Hollands Noorden. The agency is registered in the National Childcare Register (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang/LRK) under number 321571514. All childminders are registered in the Childcare Personnel Register (Personenregister Kinderopvang/PRK) and hold valid Certificate of Conduct (VOG) declarations.
The agency has a complaints procedure in accordance with legal guidelines and is affiliated with the Disputes Committee. Mellebel carries out at least two inspections per year at childminders, including risk assessments for safety and health. Recent inspection reports are positive and can be viewed via the LRK.
Next steps
The matching process at Mellebel follows several steps:
- Intake interview: We discuss your situation and wishes regarding childminder care in detail
- Finding a match: We search our network for childminders who fit your criteria
- Introduction: We arrange a meeting with the potential childminder
- Trial care: If desired, a trial care period can take place
- Definitive match: When there is mutual click, the care officially begins
- Evaluation: After starting, regular evaluation conversations follow to optimise the care
Highlights
- Personal mediation
- Strict selection
- Safe childcare
- Professional guidance
- Childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag)
- Small-scale and involved
- Flexible childcare hours
- Homely atmosphere
Support services
- Pedagogical advice
- Risk assessment
- Invoicing
- Annual statements
- Parent committee
- Disputes committee
- Administration
- Information provision
Service area cities
Service area regions
Mission & vision
Mellebel believes in 'live and let live' as its core philosophy. The agency strives to provide personal, home-like childcare where children feel safe and at home. Its mission is to find the right match for every family with a childminder (gastouder) who fits their wishes, parenting style, and situation.
At Mellebel, the child comes first, and the agency operates on the principle that good childcare begins with trust, personal attention, and quality. The agency guides parents and childminders in a lasting partnership built on mutual respect for each other's values and norms.
Pedagogical vision
Mellebel's pedagogical policy is written from experience and a pedagogical background. Central to this is that every child should feel safe and be allowed to grow at their own pace into a unique individual. The policy focuses on loving guidance that allows children to develop through trial and error.
Mellebel works with the four basic pedagogical goals and encourages childminders to help children develop independence by letting them try things for themselves first. The agency regularly organises meetings and training sessions for childminders on pedagogical themes such as the child abuse reporting code and the practical application of the pedagogical policy in daily childcare.
Linked childminders
GGD Inspection
Violations
Inspection date: February 17, 2026
Strengths
- Pedagogical policy is actively brought to the attention of new and existing childminders (gastouders)
- The operator organises 'Childminder Cafés' for professional development
- Regular newsletters for childminders and parent clients
- Sufficient guidance hours per childminder (minimum 16 hours per year)
- Risk assessments are carried out annually with verification of measures
- All persons correctly registered in the Childcare Personnel Register (Personenregister Kinderopvang)
- Transparent distribution of costs in agreements with parents
Violations
- The citizen service number (BSN) of parent clients was missing from annual overviews for childminders, which is legally required (Article 1.49(4) and 1.56(1) and (6) of the Childcare Act)
Summary
Childminder agency Mellebel in Hoogwoud was inspected on 17 February 2026 by the Municipal Health Service (GGD) Hollands Noorden. The agency mediates for 10 childminders and 34 children. Initially, a shortcoming was identified in the administration: the BSN of parent clients was missing from annual overviews for childminders. This occurred because software administrator Portabase had removed this data due to privacy concerns. Following a recovery offer, the operator contacted Portabase; the data will be available again from 8 April 2026. As a result, all requirements are now met. Other components (pedagogical policy, personnel, safety, parental rights, and quality criteria) were found to be compliant immediately. The advice to the municipality is: no enforcement action.
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