What is childcare?

In childcare, children learn to play together, share and interact with other children. They also practise their language skills and learn to gradually become more independent.

Childcare has several advantages:

• Children develop their social skills and language.

• Children learn from an early age how to interact with other children in a group.

In childcare, your child’s development is the priority. Your child learns in various ways there. They play with other children, learn to work together and gain new experiences. This gives your child a good start at

Staff treat your child with respect. They give them attention, set clear boundaries and provide a calm and structured environment. This helps your child feel safe.

Childcare also helps your child to develop personally. Staff encourage your child to learn new things, often through play. This helps your child to develop their motor skills, language, creativity and cognitive abilities. Your child also learns to do more and more things independently.

In addition, childcare helps your child’s social development. Your child learns to interact with other children and adults. They practise talking, listening, playing together and being considerate of others. In this way, your child gradually builds up social skills.

Childcare centres are staffed by trained professionals with the right knowledge and skills. This enables them to provide your child with the guidance and support they need as they grow.

Childcare staff need to have a minimum language proficiency level. This is important to ensure they can communicate effectively with children, parents and colleagues. In addition, the childcare organisation draws up a training plan. This plan sets out how staff will continue to develop and which courses or training programmes they are required to take. This ensures they continue to learn and can perform their work to an ever-higher standard.

In childcare, your child has a mentor. This is a permanent member of the childcare team. The mentor monitors your child’s development and well-being. They observe how your child is getting on within the group. In this way, the mentor can see how your child is growing, learning and feeling. If anything stands out, the mentor will discuss this with you. This ensures you get a clear picture of your child’s development at an early stage.

The mentor will talk to you regularly about your child. During these discussions, you will talk about how things are going, what your child can already do, and whether your child needs extra help. You are also welcome to ask the mentor for a meeting at any time.

Childcare costs money. That is why parents in the Netherlands can receive financial support from the government. This is a contribution towards the cost of childcare. The amount of the allowance you receive depends on your income and the type of childcare. You can apply for the childcare allowance via Mijn toeslagen.

Would you like to find out more about allowances and other schemes for parents? Then read our article: Allowances for if you have children.

The transition from childcare to primary school is an important step for your child. That is why the childcare centre passes on information to the primary school. This helps the teacher get to know your child better and ensures your child gets off to a good start at school.

Childcare staff will provide a description of your child. This will include details such as how your child is developing, how they are doing socially and emotionally, and what physical skills they have. The childcare centre will also provide information about your child’s interests, talents and needs.

Sometimes the childcare centre may also share information about the home situation, if this is important for providing your child with the right support. In addition, the school may receive information about how the childcare centre interacts with your child and which educational approach is most suitable.

In the Netherlands, childcare is not compulsory. You are free to choose how you arrange care for your child. For example, you can look after your child at home or arrange childcare with family or other people you trust.
However, childcare can have many benefits for your child. Your child will learn to play together, interact with other children and discover new things. Childcare also helps your child with language development and prepares them for primary school.