House of representatives debates early childhood: compulsory registration, childcare and preschool.

House of representatives debates early childhood: compulsory registration, childcare and preschool.

On Wednesday 11 November the house of representatives spoke for the first time in a long time in a debate about children from zero to six years old. State secretary Tielen (education) and minister Aartsen (work and participation) were together at the debate. This brought childcare, preschool and the first years of primary school together in one debate. 

The main topics were: 

• New registration duty for four-year-olds 

• The number of children who attend preschool. 

• Children who are already left out at a young age. 

• The new way in which childcare is paid for. 

In this article you read what was discussed. 

Our call: make growing up together the norm 

Ouders & Onderwijs sent a letter together with Ieder(in), Balans and nine other organizations to the house of representatives. In the letter we asked for an inclusive start and to ensure that all children can grow up together. 

Children with a disability, a long-term or chronic illness or neurodivergence often already end up in separate facilities at a young age. Sometimes they can no longer go to childcare or school at all. 

Registration duty from four years: what does it solve? 

The cabinet wants parents to register their child at a primary school when he or she turns four. This will become a registration duty. It is not compulsory education. That means children do not have to go to school yet. 

Different political parties had questions about this plan: 

• SGP, PVV and practical education track asked which problem this solves. Now 98 percent of four-year-olds already go to school. 
• Practical education track is afraid that children who are not ready for school might get problems because of this. 

We also wrote in our letter that a registration duty does not prevent children from dropping out. 

The state secretary thinks the registration duty can help. Schools can then better transfer children and arrange extra help on time. 

Children who already need another facility at a young age 

The debate also addressed children who can no longer attend childcare or school at a young age and have dropped out. 

Members of parliament were mainly concerned about two things: 

• CDA and practical education track are concerned about the growing number of young children in special primary education. 
• Practical education track wants more guidance in childcare so that children with support needs are not excluded there. 

The minister indicated that this is difficult. Education, childcare and care all have their own rules. The cabinet is investigating how this can be better aligned. 

Preschool: not enough toddlers participate yet 

About three quarters of toddlers who benefit from preschool education actually attend preschool. Preschool education helps young children with their development and prepares them for primary school. 

Political parties think differently about how more children can participate: 

• The VVD wants participation to become compulsory. The state secretary does not agree and prefers to focus on conversations with parents. 
• D66 pointed to the own contribution that mainly discourages parents affected by the benefits scandal 

The cabinet starts an experiment with groups where toddlers and young children are together. This way it wants to learn how the transition to primary school can go more smoothly 

Working parents and missed lessons 

The VVD called attention to parents who increasingly have to take a day off because their child is unexpectedly at home, due to study days or a sick teacher without a substitute. 

The state secretary repeated that schools must offer a replacement program in case of unexpected lesson cancellations. How a school does this must be set out in the school guide. 

New way to pay for childcare 

For years there has been talk about a new way to pay for childcare. Minister Aartsen wants childcare to be paid directly from the government in the future, instead of via an allowance to parents. For working parents this would make childcare almost free. Also parents do not have to fear recoveries anymore in this system. 

Ouders & Onderwijs supports this new system. Before the debate we called together with 34 other organizations on the cabinet and the house to: 

• Push the bill through without further delay; 
• Keep the money that has been promised for it; 
• Stick to the introduction on 1 January 2029.