You can search the government’s National Childcare Registerto find registered daycare centers (kinderdagverblijf) and childminders in your area.
Childcare centers and childminders must be registered in the National Childcare Register (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang / LRK). Childcare facilities are only added to the register after they have been approved by the municipality and the Municipal Health Service (GGD). The Municipal Health Service also carries out annual inspections to ensure that the childcare facilities continue to meet the national standards.
The government offers financial support to working parents in the form of childcare benefit. In order to receive childcare benefit, the childcare center or childminding agency your child attends must be registered in the National Childcare Register. See our benefits page for more information.
There are waiting lists for childcare, so it is important to register your child early.
Childcare centers (kinderopvang)
Childcare centers offer childcare for children between 0 and 13 years old. Some centers offer all forms of childcare, while others may only cater for certain ages and/or times.
Daycare centers (kinderdagverblijf)
Daycare centers are for children aged 0-4 years. Children may be present for half a day or an entire day. The children are sometimes divided by age into baby groups (0 – 2 years) and toddler groups (2 – 4 years). Registered daycare centers employ professional pedagogical staff.
In many daycare centers, there are also pre-kingergarten groups (formerly peuterspeelzalen) for toddlers, where a preschool education (VE program) program is followed. These groups are also open to children of non-working parents, and they are often subsidized by the municipality (gemeente).
Out-of-school care (buitenschoolse opvang / BSO)
Out-of-school care is for primary school children aged 4 to 12/13 years old whose parents work. Primary schools are responsible for organizing out-of-school care and they often work together with established daycare centers. The child must be registered directly with the childcare organization.
Out-of-school care consists of:
- before-school care (voorscholse opvang / VSO)
- after-school care (nascholse opvang / NSO)
- holiday care (tijdens schoolvakanties)
Not all centers offer all three options. A staff member usually collects the children from school, although older children may be expected to make their own way. If the location of the after-school care is not within walking distance of the school, the BSO may have their own bus or taxis may be hired to transport the children.
Important to note
A place at daycare or pre-kindergarten does not automatically guarantee a place at out-of-school care; separate registration is required.
Childminder (gastouderopvang)
A host parent (gastouder) offers childcare in a domestic situation, either at the host parent’s home or at the child’s home. Host parents often take care of a few children at a time, within the set maximum number allowed.