The quality of childcare in the Caribbean Netherlands has improved in various areas since 2023. At most locations, quality is gradually advancing. This is concluded by the Education Inspectorate following the third inspection round in 2024. Based on the annual inspection report, childcare organizations are working with the BES(t) 4 kids program to further improve quality, ensuring that every child is cared for in a safe and healthy environment that stimulates their development through play.
In 2024, the Education Inspectorate (hereinafter: inspectorate) visited 80 locations for daycare, after-school care, and childminding. This was done in collaboration with local inspectors on the three islands. They investigate whether these locations meet the requirements regarding administration, staff, and accommodation, whether they are safe and healthy for children, and whether children are sufficiently stimulated in their development. The inspectorate also checks whether the management of the childcare is focused on improving quality.
The Findings
The quality of childcare at the locations has also further improved in various areas over the past year. More and more professionals have the required level of education and take a child first aid training every year. Additionally, the quality of the activity program and play materials, the insight into the development of the children, the pedagogical-educational actions, and the collaboration at various locations improved. About a quarter of all locations meet (almost) all requirements regarding administration, staff, accommodation, safety, and health.
However, at many locations, quality still needs to improve further. For example, at more than a quarter of the locations, there is not an adult present every day who is qualified to provide first aid to children. Additionally, the indoor and outdoor spaces of the childcare locations are not always safe, accessible, and appropriately arranged. At almost a fifth of the locations, the development of children is still insufficiently stimulated or not positively interacted with the children.
The Follow-up
The inspectorate visits all childcare locations every year to monitor quality. Following the annual inspection round, all childcare locations receive an advisory report with points that are going well and those that need improvement. They can receive support from, for example, pedagogical coaches or twinning partners from the BES(t) 4 kids program.
The Childcare BES Act is expected to come into effect on January 1, 2026. By then, all locations must meet all quality requirements. If a location does not meet the safety and health requirements, the childcare holder will receive a recovery assignment with a short recovery period. Where necessary, the inspectorate will advise enforcement, for example, by imposing a fine. In acute, serious cases, the childcare may be (temporarily) closed.
The complete inspection report can be found on the website of the Education Inspectorate. The response from the State Secretary of SZW, Jurgen Nobel, can be read here.