Three schools and a childcare location in Gelderland have closed following a fire, Omroep Gelderland reports. The exact location and cause of the fire were not disclosed in the report, nor whether any injuries occurred.
Impact on care and education
When a childcare location is forced to close unexpectedly, it immediately creates a practical problem for working parents. Childcare in the Netherlands is legally regulated under the Childcare Act (Wet kinderopvang), and parents are entitled to at least 49 weeks of care per year. However, in cases of forced closure due to emergencies such as fire, the responsibility does not fall on the parents.
The simultaneous closure of multiple schools may indicate a larger incident, for example in a school building housing multiple educational facilities, or in a neighborhood where infrastructure has been damaged. In the Netherlands, school communities and comprehensive schools increasingly combine regular education with after-school care (BSO), meaning a fire in one building can affect multiple services.
What does this mean for parents?
- Arrange alternative care: In the event of unexpected childcare closure, parents are entitled to emergency care through their own childcare organization or municipality. Contact your care provider immediately.
- Right to compensation: Special arrangements apply for emergencies beyond the care provider's control. The municipality can provide support in finding replacement care.
- Leave and employer: If parents cannot find an alternative, they may in some cases be entitled to short-term care leave under the Work and Care Act (Wet arbeidsvoorwaarden zorgverlof).
- BSO and holiday care: After-school care (BSO) and holiday care housed in the affected building are also subject to the closure. Check whether your BSO provider has alternative locations available.
The duration of the closure is not yet known. Depending on fire damage, recovery may take anywhere from several days to weeks. Childcare locations must meet strict safety requirements; reopening is only possible after approval from the municipality and the Municipal Health Service (GGD).
Omroep Gelderland is monitoring the situation. This article will be updated as soon as more information becomes available about the location and expected reopening.