Childcare Center

To operate a childcare centre (kinderdagverblijf), after-school care (BSO), or childminder agency (gastouderbureau) in the Netherlands, you must register in the National Childcare Register (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang, LRK). Without registration, you cannot legally provide childcare services.

You apply for registration at your municipality. The GGD (Municipal Health Service) then inspects your facility to verify it meets quality standards for staffing, safety, space, and pedagogical practice. If the inspection is positive, the municipality registers your facility in the LRK. Childminders working through your agency must also be individually registered.

Requirements

  • Kwaliteitseisen: De opvang moet voldoen aan de kwaliteitseisen zoals vastgesteld in de Wet kinderopvang
  • GGD-inspectie: Een positieve beoordeling van de GGD is vereist voor inschrijving
  • Type voorziening: Gastouderbureau, kinderdagverblijf, of buitenschoolse opvang
  • Voorschoolse educatie: Bij aanbod van voorschoolse educatie gelden strengere kwaliteitseisen

Procedure

  • Application: Submit an application to your municipality
  • Assessment: The GGD assesses whether you meet the quality requirements
  • Registration: Upon positive assessment, the municipality registers you in the National Childcare Register
  • Childminders: The childminder agency is responsible for registering childminders