The municipality of Goirle is set to investigate whether after-school care (BSO) can be offered through local sports clubs, according to the Brabants Dagblad. The idea is to combine childcare with sports activities, allowing children to go directly to a sports club after school for both supervision and physical activity.
After-school care at sports clubs: a growing trend
Combining after-school care (BSO) with sports clubs is not a new concept in the Netherlands. A number of municipalities already have partnerships in place between childcare organisations and sports clubs. The benefits are clear: children get more exercise, sports clubs gain a more stable source of income, and parents have peace of mind knowing their child is looked after after school.
For sports clubs, such a partnership can be an attractive proposition, as it provides a steady stream of young members and reliable revenue. At the same time, it does come with requirements around facilities and supervision: a BSO location must meet the quality standards set out in the Childcare Act (Wet kinderopvang) and be registered in the National Childcare Register (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang/LRK).
Challenges in practice
While the concept sounds promising, there are practical and legal hurdles to consider. Sports clubs looking to offer after-school care must navigate regulations around educational policy, the mandatory deployment of qualified childcare professionals, and physical space requirements. Not every sports facility automatically meets these standards.
There is also the question of how the partnership would be structured: would the sports club operate as a childcare provider in its own right, or would it collaborate with an existing BSO provider that makes use of the sports facilities? Both models are used in practice.
What does this mean for parents?
For parents in Goirle, it is still too early to expect concrete plans. The municipality is currently in an exploratory phase. Should after-school care at sports clubs actually get off the ground, it could offer an appealing alternative to conventional childcare settings — particularly for parents who want their children to grow up active and sporty.
Kiddie.nl is keeping a close eye on developments in Goirle and other municipalities where sport and childcare are being brought together. Source: Brabants Dagblad.