Flanders (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Less than one-third of new childcare spots promised in Flanders have actually materialized. Up to 2,000 out of the over 6,000 new childcare spots promised in Flanders since the beginning of the present legislative mandate have actually been put in place.
- How many new childcare places have actually been activated?
- Why is Flanders struggling to expand childcare capacity?
The numbers have been made available by Caroline Gennez, who is the welfare minister of Flanders, on the request of Flemish MP Tina Van Havere of the Vooruit Party. Gennez aims at making an extra 10,000 places of childcare by the end of her term of office and has made budgetary provision accordingly.
How many new childcare places have actually been activated?
In spite of this effort, the total number of licensed places of childcare in Flanders and Brussels has fallen marginally in 2025 due to less family-based childcare from childminding at home.
Nurseries created almost 1,000 places during this period. Several expansion projects for subsidised childcare places have taken place since the start of the past year. They resulted in a total of 6,103 extra places; however, only 2,064 of these places have been activated so far.
Why is Flanders struggling to expand childcare capacity?
According to health insurer Helan, the process is too slow. The director of this company, Filip Standaert, explained that one of the most important causes of this is the long permit procedure for constructing a new nursery building. It takes, on average, two and a half years from the moment of construction application until the nursery is completed.
“Parents looking for childcare today have no use for a place that is still tied up in construction or permit procedures,”
Standaert said.
It was pointed out that the Flemish administration needed to speed up the process of setting up new nurseries as well as ensure there is sufficient space available. The importance of not losing capacity through existing child minders was also stressed.
“The funding and ambition are there, but the route from investment to an open nursery must be shorter,”
Standaert said.
“That requires suitable infrastructure, faster procedures and enough childcare workers and childminders.”
Many facilities simply cannot add more facilities due to the inability to hire sufficient qualified childcare workers (kinderbegeleiders). While buildings and licenses are available, there will be no opening of facilities in the absence of manpower. While new crèches are being opened, other facilities are closing down, mainly because of the departure of childminders (onthaalouders) and closing of small centers. Thus, the actual increase in
Comments
11 responses to “Flanders Provides Just One-Third of Promised Childcare Places”
-
Looks like Flanders has taken “promises made, promises broken” to a whole new level – who knew 2,000 spots could feel like a royal conspiracy against parents? 😂 Maybe they should add “future” to the sign outside those crèches!
-
Looks like Flanders is taking the scenic route to childcare—promising the moon and serving up a mere star! 🚧 Who knew building nurseries took longer than brewing a fine espresso? ☕️
-
Looks like Flanders is on a strict ‘one-third’ diet when it comes to fulfilling childcare promises—maybe they’re saving the rest for a rainy day? ☔️ At this rate, parents might as well set up a playgroup in a coffee shop—at least the coffee’s guaranteed! 😂
-
Seems like Flanders has mastered the art of “under-promising and over-delivering” – or should I say, “under-delivering”? 🤔 At this rate, I might just start charging for my spare nursery room! 🍼💸
-
Looks like Flanders has mastered the art of the classic bait-and-switch: promise 6,000 childcare spots, deliver just a cheeky 2,000. Maybe they think parents enjoy a good game of musical chairs? 🎶
-
Looks like Flanders is running a childcare marathon, but they’ve only managed to sprint a third of the way. Maybe they’ll find the rest of those promised spots hanging out in a Belgian café, sipping on a brew. 🍻
-
Looks like Flanders is really nailing the “promised” part of their childcare plan—just a casual one-third delivered. Perfect for parents who enjoy the thrill of waiting for things that may never materialize! 😂
-
Looks like Flanders has mastered the art of promising big while delivering… well, less than a third of that. Perfect example of “we’ll get to it eventually,” eh? 😅💼
-
Looks like Flanders’ idea of “abundant” childcare is more of a mirage—2,000 spots out of 6,000 promised? At this rate, I could build a castle and still have time for a nap before the first kid checks in. 😂🏰
-
So, Flanders has delivered a stellar one-third of its promised childcare spots—who knew such ambitious goals could be so, erm, flexible? Guess we’ll just have to keep our kids in the waiting room longer than a queue for a Belgian waffle! 😏🚸
-
If you think waiting two and a half years for a nursery to be built is a bit of a stretch, you must really enjoy living in slow motion. 🤷♂️ Typical Flanders, promising the moon and delivering… well, just a handful of stardust.
-
Looks like Flanders took a leaf out of the classic Belgian waffle recipe—lots of promise, but still a bit half-baked! 🍽️ With just a third of the nursery spots delivered, I reckon we might need a miracle to avoid a toddler traffic jam at the next playdate. 😂
Last News
UK Defense Secretary’s Phone Number Found Online After Burnham Hit by Texting Scam
Flanders Provides Just One-Third of Promised Childcare Places
Flanders (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Less than one-third of new childcare spots promised in Flanders have actually materialized. Up to 2,000 out of the over 6,000 new childcare spots promised in Flanders since the beginning of the present legislative mandate have actually been put in place.
How many new childcare places have actually been activated?
Why is Flanders struggling to expand chil
Spain Extends Almaraz Operations to 2030
The decision delays Spain’s nuclear phase-out and reopens questions over energy security, waste and transition planning
Spain has granted both reactors at the Almaraz nuclear power plant permission to operate until 8 June 2030, shifting closure dates originally set for 2027 and 2028. This extension provides the electricity system with more low-carbon power amidst international energy uncertainty
Latvia seeks €7B from EU to manage impacts of Russia’s war
Bangkok Gun Traders Challenge Thailand’s Stricter Firearms Regulations
Bangkok, Thailand, 17 August (Brussles Morning Newspaper) The Thailand gun crackdown is putting growing pressure on firearms dealers in Bangkok’s historic gun district, where traders say restrictions on legal sales risk hurting established businesses without addressing the country’s large illicit weapons market.
The government has moved to tighten controls after a series of deadly shootings, inc
Number of Cells in the Human Body
A large-scale study in the journal PNAS challenged this, analyzing over 1,500 scientific publications to determine the cell mass for people of various sexes, ages, and weights:
Adult man (70 kg): approximately
Burnham Communicated with Fake Trump Aide
Within the U.K. government, there was apprehension that Wiles’ phone might have been hacked once more. The White House chose not to comment.
Previously, the White House and the FBI initiated an investi
Trump Envoys Seek Breakthrough on Gaza Peace Plan in Cairo
Cairo, Egypt, 16 August (Brussles Morning Newspaper) Donald Trump’s envoys have joined a fresh round of high-level talks in Egypt aimed at breaking the deadlock over the Gaza peace plan, bringing US representatives together with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators as the future of the ceasefire hangs on unresolved demands from Israel and Hamas.
Jared Kushner and former UN Middle East envoy Ni
Rudnev, Casco, and the Lasting Impact of Preventive Detention in Argentina
Bangladesh Seeks Improved Climate for India Visit Amid Hasina Dispute
Dhaka, 16 August (Eurotoday Newspaper) Bangladesh has put fresh conditions around Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India, saying the diplomatic atmosphere must improve as Dhaka waits for New Delhi to act on requests to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives. The intervention leaves Bangladesh India relations at a delicate point despite weeks of contact
Leave a Reply