Frequently Asked Questions

The childcare allowance is referred to in Dutch as "Kinderopvangtoeslag". It is a monthly allowance from the Dutch government to support parents who both work. Single parents are also eligible. The allowance is paid towards the costs of each child receiving childcare at a registered day-care centre or after-school care facility. It is calculated according to each family's monthly childcare costs and expected household income for that fiscal year. All families where both parents are working, regardless of their income, nationality, or tax-exempt status, that legally reside in The Netherlands are eligible to receive the Dutch childcare allowance. The Dutch childcare allowance can be used to subsidise professional childcare costs, including day-care centres (crèches) and after-school care.

The allowance is available for all working parents with childcare costs who live in The Netherlands. Therefore it is also available for non- Dutch nationals. However, to apply for and receive the allowance the Dutch tax office requires complicated paperwork.

The Dutch Childcare Act of 2005 was created in order to increase the participation of women in the work force, the accessibility of childcare, and the competition between childcare providers, thereby lowering fees. The act provides for the financing of formal childcare and maintains quality and supervision standards for all childcare services.

According to the Dutch Childcare Act, parents, employers and the government must jointly bear the costs of formal childcare. The government does so by imposing a childcare levy on all employers.

The childcare allowance is provided on a per-child basis, whereby an allowance is determined and provided for each child. The allowance is capped at a maximum hourly rate, which is adjusted annually. For 2010 the maximum rate per child is €6.25 per hour for a day care centre and €5.82 per hour for after school care.

The amount of the individual childcare allowance received will depend on the following:

1. The childcare costs (per child); and
2. The childcare hours (per child); and
3. The family's income situation.

GlobalParentz specialises in collecting the childcare allowance for international families in The Netherlands and offers a free allowance calculator on our website. To obtain a free estimate of the childcare allowance amount monthly, visit our childcare allowance calculator.

In order to be eligible for the childcare allowance, the childcare services that you choose must adhere to the rules and regulations of the Dutch Childcare Act. Day-care and after-school centres must be professional and officially registered at the City Hall.

All parents using formal childcare in The Netherlands (day-care centres or after-school care) are therefore entitled to the childcare allowance if they are enjoying any form of gainful employment, or studying in the Dutch school system or they have the entrepreneurial status. There is also no minimum income required. Even if one parent is studying, the other is working and if they have children between the ages 0 - 12 years - they are eligible to receive this allowance to assist with their childcare costs.

Day-care centres are professionally run and employ fully qualified childcare staff. Opening hours are normally from 7:30 to 18:00 on weekdays and offers care for babies as young as 3 months to children up to 4 years. The ratio of children per staff member ranges from 1:4 to 1:8, depending on the age groups. Many day-care centres offer after-school care for children who are attending primary school and require care at the end of the school day. These ages vary between 4 and 12.

If your children attend a professional day-care centre or after-school care, you can simply collect the childcare allowance by registering now.

GlobalParentz's services are in English and you can contact us at any time for assistance.

If you would like to find out how much you can save in childcare costs, please visit our online Childcare Allowance calculator.

GlobalParentz works with the Dutch tax office to provide the childcare allowance to international employees residing in the Netherlands. GlobalParentz is also able to work with the tax office to obtain BSN numbers (social tax numbers). GlobalParentz takes care of the allowance application and all further correspondence with the Dutch tax office on behalf of parents. Any future requests or correspondence between the Dutch tax office and the parents, in relation to the childcare allowance, will be channelled through GlobalParentz

For more information contact:
E
T +31 (0)297 213110

Finding suitable childcare in The Netherlands can be challenging due to the extreme shortage of day-care centres. Organizing proper childcare is a task that Dutch citizens themselves struggle with, often waiting a number of months before finding a suitable placement.

Day-care centres (crèches) are the most popular form of childcare in The Netherlands for children aged 0-4. For parents with older children, after-school clubs and vacation schemes are widely used.

A huge problem that most parents encounter when looking for suitable care for their children is the immense waiting lists. This is particularly problematic in the major cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague.

The cost for childcare is extremely high in The Netherlands. Luckily, the Dutch Government reimburses a substantial portion of the cost. The Dutch tax office, in the form of an allowance, provides the reimbursement. This allowance is available to every working family, irrespective of income. Foreign parents residing temporarily in The Netherlands as well as tax-exempt residents, such as Diplomats and employees of International Organization are also eligible to receive this allowance.

When your child enrols at a childcare centre, you're offered a contract. This contract usually specifies the days of the week for which your child is enrolled. Most childcare centres charge for a full-day, comprised of 10 or 11 hours, even if your child only attends the crèche for a portion of the day. Childcare centres typically charge an hourly rate which varies between €6 and €8 per hour. A full-day of 10 hours would then cost between €60 and €80.

GlobalParentz will help families reach a healthy balance between work and private life.

Our service will work for your family as follow:

• GlobalParentz will pay your day-care centre directly each month on your family's behalf;
• GlobalParentz will claim (and monitor) your childcare allowance from the Dutch tax office on your behalf each month;
• You will only pay the difference + our fee each month.

You always save money!

GlobalParentz is dedicated to making international families feel at home in The Netherlands by helping them afford quality childcare. GlobalParentz has a broad network of contacts within the childcare community and an established relationship with the Dutch tax office. This grants us the ideal position to offer parents the tax support they require.

Non-Dutch speaking parents are assisted by GlobalParentz to obtain their childcare allowance each month. GlobalParentz corresponds with the Dutch tax office on their behalf and will contact the parents for information requests. For those parents leaving The Netherlands again, GlobalParentz will continue look after their tax matters with regards to the child care allowance and close off that specific financial year accordingly on their behalf.

Let us take care of your childcare!

The aim of GlobalParentz is to help international families find the most suitable childcare at the greatest possible savings while minimizing the bureaucracy commonly encountered by expatriates in accessing the Dutch system for the first time.

In helping you with your childcare needs, GlobalParentz promises:

• Full transparency
• Minimum red tape
• Complete support in obtaining the maximum possible benefit under the Dutch Childcare Act
• Timely and clear communication in English.