The Decision on Childcare BES under the Childcare BES Act was published on October 8. It specifies the rules that will apply from January 1, 2026, regarding quality, data exchange, and financing of childcare on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. The aim of the new legislation is to provide good, safe, and affordable childcare in the Caribbean Netherlands, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to fully develop.
Quality Requirements Suitable for the Caribbean Context
From January 1, 2026, the new legislation will come into effect. Many quality rules align with the requirements already in place through the Island Ordinance(s) on Childcare. These rules have been discussed multiple times during consultation sessions with childcare organizations, parents, and other stakeholders. Based on this, the rules have been adjusted as necessary to fit the Caribbean context. For example, the porch of a childcare facility is partially counted as indoor space when determining the number of children that can be accommodated. Not all staff need to have at least an mbo-3 diploma. There is a team qualification where lower-qualified staff who are still in training can work alongside mbo-3 qualified staff in a childcare setting.
Additionally, the quality requirements have been tightened to prevent developmental and learning delays in children. For instance, a childcare facility must monitor childrens development and work with a preschool education program during daycare. In after-school care, a varied activity program is required that goes beyond just doing homework. The legislation outlines what these programs must comply with.
Financing Childcare
Starting in the second quarter of 2026, the RCN unit SZW will disburse the childcare allowance that childcare organizations receive from the government. In the coming years, this allowance will increase, in addition to an annual indexing, for both daycare and after-school care. For amounts, see the website of the RCN unit SZW: https://www.rijksdienstcn.com/kinderopvang.
The legislation also outlines the financial rules and conditions for financing. For instance, a childcare facility only receives compensation for the care of a child if parents and child are registered as residents and the agreements between parents and childcare are laid out in a childcare agreement. The child must also be regularly present at the facility.
Affordable and Accessible for All Parents
Parents will continue to pay the same in 2026 as they do now. Starting in 2027, the parental contribution will be further reduced to 4% of the costs of childcare. To ensure that childcare remains accessible for all children, childcare organizations may not charge additional costs to parents. If parents cannot afford the parental contribution, they can apply for childplace subsidy from the public body.
Supervision by Inspection
The Education Inspectorate, in collaboration with local inspectors, will supervise the quality of childcare annually. Based on the inspection report that each childcare facility receives, childcare organizations can work on recovery assignments and further improve their childcare. From 2026, the inspection report of each childcare facility will also be published. If recovery assignments from the inspection are not followed up, the inspectorate has the authority to enforce, for example, with a fine or temporary closure if there is a risk to the health or safety of children.
On the website www.best4kids.nu (click on ‘Laws and Regulations’) there is a summary of the law and an animated video. Additionally, all rules that will apply from 2026 can be found on this website.
