Roeselare Childcare ‘t Fopspeentje Closes, Impacting 25 Children

Roeselare (Eurotoday) – The childcare ‘t Fopspeentje’ in Heirweg, Roeselare, has been temporarily closed by Opgroeien from March 4, 2025, due to concerns over child safety. As a result, 25 children will need to find alternative care. Spokesperson Nele Wouters confirmed the 3-month suspension.

A childcare center in Roeselare has been shut down following a decision by the Agency for Growing Up, which cited safety concerns. The agency received information from the police but has not disclosed specific details due to privacy regulations. 

According to the agency, the closure is set for three months; however, it could reopen earlier if circumstances improve. The facility, the local government, and the parents of the children were informed of the decision on Monday, March 3, 2025, allowing them to arrange alternative childcare. 

The suspension will take effect from Tuesday, March 4. We informed the daycare itself, the local government, and the parents with children in daycare on Monday,

says Nele Wouters, spokesperson for Growing Up.

Will childcare ‘t Fopspeentje’ in Heirweg reopen after the closure?

According to Nele Wouters, this is not the first time a daycare in Belgium has been forced to close due to safety concerns. The agency responsible for overseeing childcare has previously shut down other facilities when they determined that children were at risk. 

She emphasized that ensuring the safety of children remains a top priority. The childcare center in Heirweg will undergo an investigation, and authorities will determine whether it can reopen after the three-month period.

The information that the Growing Up Agency received from the public prosecutor’s office makes us seriously concerned about the safety of the children on the one hand and the resilience of the childcare workers involved on the other,

says Nele Wouters.

Officials stated that the sudden closure of the childcare center in Heirweg, Roeselare, has left the parents of 25 babies and toddlers scrambling to find alternative daycare options. The agency overseeing childcare acknowledges the challenges this poses for families and is assisting parents in locating new childcare providers.

Despite the difficulties, the agency maintains that the decision was necessary to prioritize children’s safety. While they recognize the inconvenience for parents, they are committed to ensuring that all childcare environments meet necessary safety standards.

According to the agency, this childcare facility was blank”>previously closed in 2022 following a complaint, though specific details were not disclosed to the public. At that time, parents supported the owner of ‘t Fopspeentje, and the facility was allowed to reopen quickly. However, the agency required the daycare to follow a program aimed at improving safety and operational standards. 

Authorities now question whether the program was effective and if the childcare center can maintain the necessary safety requirements to continue operating. The agency is conducting an investigation to determine whether the facility can reopen or if it should remain closed indefinitely.