Finding a Daycare Place in Belgium

Written By Katherine Ellwood

Childcare places in Belgium are at a premium so strange as it may feel or seem you need to start looking for a place as soon as you are pregnant!

Creche, Kindereopvang or Garderie

Choosing childcare is very personal. We all have our own preferences and each creche has its own atmosphere and style. Finding a creche that is right for you and for your baby, whom you have not even met yet, is daunting, so to get you started we have put together a few questions to ask and things you should consider.

Let’s start with the practical things you need to think about before you start your search:

  1. Where should the creche be - close to home, close to work or on the way to work, near the grandparents/family

  2. How are you going to get to creche - car, bike, public transport’ walking?

  3. How much time per week will your baby be at creche - how many days a week, during or outside office hours, at fixed times/days or on a rotating basis, during the weekend?

  4. The availability of family or acquaintances for occasional help for the daycare itself, to drop off or pick up your child

  5. How much can you afford to spend?

  6. Does your workplace have a creche?

  7. Would you consider a nanny, childminder or au pair?

Having thought about all of the above your search begins – how do you find a creche?

The first place to begin is with either:

  • Office de le Naissance et de l’Enfancec (ONE) which operates in Brussels and Wallonia or;

  • Kind en Gezin, which operates in Brussels and Flanders.

    These public health agencies oversee the care of children from 0-6 and are responsible for setting standards for care in creches and their ongoing monitoring. If the daycare is listed with ONE or Kind and Gezin then it will have a permit. This means it meets their quality standards. Both have a dedicated creche search engines on their sites. Be aware that without a permit from ONE or Kind en Gezin a daycare cannot care for babies and toddlers and you will not receive a tax certificate for the care costs.

  • In the expat world word of mouth and social media are really good places to ask for recommendations and get opinions about the creches you are interested in.

  • Your commune may also have a list of registered creches.

You have decided which creches, on paper, meet your needs so you plan a visit.  What are you looking for and what should you ask?

Above all trust your instincts! It is important you have a good feeling about the location and the staff but asking a few clear questions can help to clarify what you feel and maybe where you might be able to compromise. During your visit sense the atmosphere and the way of working.  Pay attention to:

  • the children: do they look happy and engaged?

  • how do the staff interact with the children, each other and the parents

  • do the staff ask about the parents' habits and special features of the children?

  • the environment.  Is it neat, cozy, safe and clean?

  • would you want to spend time there?

Your Daycare/Creche Visit Checklist

Creche Organisation

  • How many children are there in total?
    Are children split into age groups or all together?

  • What does a typical day look like? What activities are offered?

The Facilities

  • How much space do the children have to play?

  • Is there an outside play space?

  • Are there enough toys and activities?

  • Where do the children sleep?

  • Can babies nap when they are tired, or do they have to follow a schedule?

Interaction

  • What language(s) do the staff speak?

  • How do the staff react when a child is upset?

Food

  • What do the children eat?

  • Will you see a menu in advance?

  • What about special dietary requirements?

  • Can you bring expressed breast milk?

Staff

  • What’s the ratio of staff to children?

  • How do staff communicate with you?

Admin

  • Is the creche certified and subsidised?

  • What does the monthly cost cover? Food and nappies?

  • Do you have to pay if your child is sick?

  • Can you bring washable nappies?

Your Child is Sick

  • When can they go to daycare and when not

  • What about medicines?

  • What if your child gets sick during childcare?

There is more information on child care options on the Pregnant In Belgium website 

Also a heads up as you are looking for daycare before your baby is born to remember to apply for your birth premium around €1300 to spend on preparing for your baby’s birth courtesy of the Belgium government!

Written by Kate Ellwood 25/11/2024

Katherine Ellwood
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