The Hoeksche School in the Hoeksche Waard has established a dedicated fund for families who cannot afford the cost of childcare. The school wants to ensure that no child misses out on childcare due to financial hardship, as reported by AD.nl. The message is clear: 'No child should be left behind.'
Childcare becoming increasingly out of reach for lower-income families
The creation of this fund reflects a broader trend that has been visible in the Netherlands for years. Despite the childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) that parents can apply for through the Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst), out-of-pocket costs remain a significant barrier for many families. Hourly childcare rates have risen sharply in recent years, and the benefit does not always cover the full gap between the actual price and the maximum hourly rate set by the government.
Middle-income families in particular often fall through the cracks: they earn too much to qualify for additional municipal support schemes, yet too little to comfortably cover childcare costs. For families in vulnerable situations, this can mean children staying home — with potential consequences for their development and social participation.
School steps up
The fact that a school has taken it upon itself to set up such a fund is noteworthy. Schools are primarily responsible for education, but the line between education and childcare is increasingly blurring — especially as the government moves toward a system of near-free childcare. By offering financial support directly, the Hoeksche School is signalling that it sees access to childcare as a shared social responsibility.
The initiative aligns with similar funds already established by some municipalities and school boards elsewhere in the Netherlands, such as the Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur, which funds activities for children from low-income families.
What does this mean for parents?
For parents in the Hoeksche Waard who are struggling to cover childcare costs, this fund offers a practical lifeline. But the initiative also highlights a broader reality for parents across the Netherlands:
- Always check whether you are entitled to the childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) through the Belastingdienst — many eligible parents are not claiming it.
- Contact your municipality to find out about additional support schemes for lower-income families.
- Ask your school or childcare provider whether any local funds or payment arrangements are available.
- Keep an eye on national developments: the government is working on a reform under which parents would pay only a small share of childcare costs themselves from 2029 onwards.
The Hoeksche School's fund is a local response to a national problem. Until the major system overhaul is in place, initiatives like this are a welcome lifeline for many families.