On Tuesday 9 May, the members of the House of Representatives Committee on Social Affairs and Employment will be presented with the manifesto 'Fix the childcare system'. In the manifesto, organizations call on politicians to speed up the implementation of the new childcare system and to ensure that it is free, good, hassle-free and for all children. The cabinet recently announced that its plans to abolish the childcare allowance and replace it with virtually free childcare will be postponed until 2027.
WOMEN Inc. hands over the manifesto on behalf of dozens of organizations, including the Zeeland childcare organizations Kinderopvang Walcheren, Kinderopvang Zeeuws Vlaanderen and Kibeo.
They state that good childcare stimulates the development of children and provides a strong foundation for their school career, career and opportunities in their later life. By making childcare accessible to all parents, regardless of whether they are currently in paid employment or not, we create equal opportunities for all children.
Elly Brand, driver Kibeo: “It is important that childcare, like education, becomes a basic provision in which no money is earned. There is currently a dichotomy in the childcare sector, in which both non-profit social childcare organizations and commercial parties operate. One effect of this dichotomy is that social childcare organizations consider accessibility and equality of opportunity to be of greater importance than commercial organisations. Only by making childcare accessible to all children can we create equal development opportunities for all children.”
In addition, childcare is the solution for the labor market shortages in other sectors, which are becoming increasingly acute due to the aging population. The work of 1 pedagogical employee in childcare ensures that 11 parents can go to work. One of the reasons that the plans for virtually free childcare have been postponed is the fear of a shortage of pedagogical professionals. A requirement is therefore that the jobs in childcare are well paid and offer the prospect of a stable career and growth opportunities, so that working in childcare is attractive.
Annemiek Koppejan, director Childcare Walcheren: “It is extremely disappointing that the review has been postponed, but it does not mean that the minister can sit still now. Let the minister make good use of the time to make childcare a basic provision, so that it becomes accessible to every child. Because we give every child childcare and thus a good start.”
Childcare also leads to more equal opportunities between women and men on the labor market. Two out of three women working part-time want to work more under certain conditions, of which childcare is an important one. And research among parents shows that with a presented scenario of virtually free childcare, half of them would like to work more. In this way, free childcare can lead to a greater participation of women in the labor market and thus to an increase in their financial independence. And to alleviate the shortages in the labor market.
Zeeuws-Vlaanderen childcare has already shown that free childcare is possible. Rianne Vons, director Childcare Zeeuws-Vlaanderen: “The pilot in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen shows that it is possible. For a year now we have been offering free childcare at 3 locations for working and non-working parents. This is good for children, good for their parents and good for Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.”
A total of 40 organizations have signed the manifesto. They expressly call on politicians to set up the new childcare system in such a way that it meets the following conditions:
- For all children: regardless of their parents' income and work
- Without hassle: so abolish the childcare allowance
- Good: ensure that the current quality of childcare is guaranteed
- Free: make sure that childcare is financially accessible to all families, just like education. Prevent organizations from being able to raise prices above the hourly rate that will soon be paid to organizations by the government by setting a price ceiling
- An attractive sector to work in: invest in working in childcare, also to guarantee sufficient places and good quality of childcare. Provide good terms of employment and working conditions with more appreciation and career prospects. Collaboration with education, culture and sport is essential here: there must be room for combination jobs and for locations where collaboration is possible. Ensure stability and predictability in the childcare sector.