Starting child care

There are various types of childcare facilities you can start. Consider, for example:

  • nursery
  • out-of-school care (BSO)
  • host parent agency
  • host parenting facility

Before you start, carefully read thestep-by-step plan for starting a childcare center, the step-by-step plan for starting a childminding agency, or the requirements for childminding on the Ondernemersplein website .

If you would like to become a childminder, pleasevisit the Rijksoverheid website for more information.

You cannot start your childcare without registration in the LRK

According to the Childcare Act (Wko), every formal daycare must apply to the municipality to be registered in the Landelijk Register Kinderopvang. (LRK) The GGD then conducts an investigation to assess whether you meet all the requirements. If your childcare facility meets the requirements, your facility will be registered in the LRK.

Parents can look up details of nurseries in the LRK and view reports from the GGD inspection. 

How does it work?

Good childcare is very important. Children need to feel safe and be given the space to develop. That is why the Rijksoverheid has drawn upquality requirements that childcare organizations must comply with.

Location

  • Once you have found a location, review the municipality's Environmental Plan.
  • Check which permits you need.
  • If the site is not suitable for child care according to the environmental plan, you can ask the municipality to give permission anyway.

Fire Safety

If you provide child care for more than 10 children under the age of 12, you need a fire safety permit from the municipality. In other cases, you file a "use notification. Check Fire safety, notification or permit to see if you need a permit. 

Other information

If you want to start a child care business, you will arrange the following things, among others:

Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG).

  • Apply for a VOG Rechtspersonen. This allows you to prove that your company or employees in leadership positions, have not committed any criminal offenses.
  • A VOG allows you and your employees to register in the childcare persons register of DUO. Anyone who lives or works at a place where children are cared for must register in the childcare persons register.

Apply to Child Care Disputes Committee

Register your child care with the Child Care Disputes Committee. If you do not do this, you cannot register with the municipality (see next step).

Educational policy officer

Child care organizations must work with an educational policy officer. This person coaches the pedagogical staff members in their daily work. In addition, the pedagogical policy officer deals with the development of pedagogical policy.

What does it cost?

Fees are due for processing an application for:

  • to operate a child center (day care and/or out-of-school care or guest parent agency), as referred to in Article 1.45 of the Child Care Act. The fees in 2025 amount to €1,139 per application.

Details: If the application is withdrawn within a period of 2 weeks, a reduction of 75% of the cost of the fees will be granted. If the application is withdrawn within a period of 5 weeks a reduction of 50% of the cost of the fees will be granted.

No fees will be charged for processing an application to operate a host parent care facility.

How long does it take?

  • The Municipal Health Department (GGD) checks to see if your child care center meets all requirements.
  • No later than 10 weeks after your application to register your childcare with the LRK, you will receive the decision from the municipality.

Passing on changes

If your information changes, notify the municipality immediately with one of these change forms: