HomepageStep-by-step guide for starting a childminding agency
If you intend to start a childminding agency in the Netherlands, you must contend with various government rules and regulations. You can use this step-by-step guide to quickly determine which obligations you must fulfil.
The plan serves merely as a guideline. It is possible that you will need to fulfil other obligations as well. Consult your local municipality regarding the order of the steps. Several steps can be carried out at the same time
For further information, you can also contact the Childcare Network Office (Netwerkbureau Kinderopvang), which was established by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OC&W).
Step-by-step guide
1. Be entered in the Trade Register
New businesses must be entered in the Trade Register kept by the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce will pass on your details to the Tax and Customs Administration. You do not need to register separately with the Tax and Customs Administration.
2. Inspect the zoning plan
The establishment of your childminding agency must be in line with your municipality’s zoning plan. If this is not the case, however, you can apply for a permit to carry out your plans. You can also ask the municipality to change the zoning plan.
3. Applying for a certificate of good conduct
The holder and any directors or foundation officers must have a certificate of good conduct (verklaring omtrent het gedrag or VOG). You require a VOG for the registration of your childcare centre in the National Childcare and Playgroup Register (LRKP).
4. Drawing up a pedagogical policy plan
You draw up a pedagogical policy plan for your facility. You enclose the policy plan with your application for registration in the National Childcare and Playgroup Register (LRKP).
5. Conducting a safety and health risk inventory and drawing up an action plan
Before submitting an application for your facility to be registered in the LRKP, you must conduct a safety and health risk inventory. In doing so, you may use the Childcare and Playgroup Risk Monitor. You then conduct this risk inventory every year.
6. Registering in the National Childcare and Playgroup Register via the municipality
If you intend to set up a childcare centre, you must submit an application for registration in the National Childcare and Playgroup Register (LRKP) with the municipal authorities at least 10 weeks before the start. Among other things, you enclose the pedagogical policy plan and the risk inventory.
7. Hire qualified personnel
Your childminders and the support staff must satisfy a number of qualification requirements. They must also have a Certificate of Good Conduct (verklaring omtrent het gedrag, VOG)
8. Draw up regulations for the complaints committee
You must have your own independent complaints committee or be affiliated to a regional or national complaints committee. The complaints committee will lay down its procedures in regulations.
9. Draw up a protocol for responding to child abuse
You must draw up a protocol in which you specify how you and your staff will respond to suspected instances of child abuse.
10. Draw up regulations for the parents’ committee
You need to have a parents’ committee for your childminding agency. You must adopt the parent committee regulations within six months of submitting an application to be included in the National Childcare Register to your municipal authority.
