The vast majority of parents (82%) are happy with how they arranged care for their children. Nearly half of the parents rely on grandparents. As many parents use daycare or after-school care and are pleased with it. This comes from a study that Ouders & Onderwijs conducted with Het Kinderopvangfonds, in cooperation with Voor Werkende Ouders.
No less than 74% of parents think childcare is good for their child’s development. Most parents are also positive about the cooperation between primary school and daycare and after-school care. There is still room to improve better cooperation and simplify the financing. Better cooperation can relieve half of the parents. Parents want more transfer between school and care when the child comes out of school, that the child’s development is tracked and that there is regular consultation about this. More than half of the parents (55%) support bringing care and primary education together in one organization.
According to parents, some activities (outside school hours) can be done well by other professionals, such as after-school care staff. For example, reading aloud or sports and games. Parents are clear about after-school care offerings. They especially find sports (61%) and creative activities (61%) important.
The study shows another point for improvement. Although 62% of parents are satisfied with how childcare is financed, 46% find the current financing system too complicated. One in five parents has trouble applying for childcare allowance. We also asked parents about costs for care. About half of parents find the costs reasonable. But the more hours of care parents take, the more often they find the costs too high. A considerable group of parents also support some form of free childcare: two days free daycare for parents with low income (55%), two or more days free childcare for all children under 4 years old (56%), or all childcare free (38%). A majority of parents also think a few days of free childcare could create more equal chances.
The study was done by Ouders & Onderwijs in cooperation with Het Kinderopvangfonds and Voor Werkende Ouders. 1,346 parents took part, representing parents in the Netherlands. The aim was to gain insight into parents’ opinions and experiences about childcare now and in the future, and cooperation with school. For more conclusions see the full study..
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With the Landelijk Ouderpanel, Ouders & Onderwijs maps the opinions and experiences of parents about current education. Ouders & Onderwijs uses this information in talks and contacts with professionals, government, and politics. Make your voice heard through the Landelijk Ouderpanel and make a difference!
