The municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn has formally ordered a Baptist congregation to stop offering childcare. According to the AD, the reason is that the location is not registered in the National Childcare Register (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang/LRK).
Childcare and religious organizations
In the Netherlands, religious organizations and churches are permitted to offer childcare, but they must meet the same legal requirements as commercial and non-profit providers. This means, among other things, that the childcare must be registered in the National Childcare Register (LRK), that childcare workers hold the appropriate qualifications, and that the Municipal Health Service (GGD) can carry out regular inspections.
When an organization offers childcare without meeting these requirements — or without being registered in the LRK — a municipality can take enforcement action and demand that operations cease. Parents using unregistered childcare are also not entitled to childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) from the Dutch Tax Authority.
Municipal enforcement
In the Netherlands, municipalities are responsible for overseeing and enforcing the Childcare Act at the local level. The GGD carries out inspections on behalf of the municipality, but it is the municipality itself that decides on enforcement measures — such as imposing a penalty order or demanding the immediate cessation of activities.
Situations where childcare takes place outside the official system — sometimes referred to as informal or illegal childcare — occur with some regularity in the Netherlands. Municipalities are increasingly taking action against such cases, in part to safeguard the safety and quality of care for children.
What does this mean for parents?
For parents whose child attends a childcare location affiliated with a church or religious community, it is advisable to check whether that location is registered in the National Childcare Register. This register is publicly accessible at landelijkregisterkinderopvang.nl. Only registered childcare providers entitle parents to childcare benefit, and only they are subject to the statutory quality and safety framework. Kiddie.nl lists only locations that are registered in the LRK, so you can be confident they meet all safety and quality standards.