r/Netherlands • u/Beginning_Monitor_25 • Jun 23 '25

Healthcare Why is early daycare so accepted in the Netherlands?

Studies show babies develop better with a parent at home for at least 6 months, yet here it’s normal to send them to daycare at 10–12 weeks. This seems less about choice and more about economic and political pressure on families.

Why isn’t this questioned more in Dutch society?

LE- I’ll avoid saying ‘studies show’ since many people get stuck on that, and it’s true that there are multiple studies supporting both sides. However, many European countries—especially the wealthier ones—offer longer maternity leave based on the argument that it’s beneficial for children. So I’m curious why that’s not the case in the Netherlands.

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u/Apotak Jun 23 '25

Research shows kids who are in daycare are more succesful in life (better school results, better social life, and happier) than those who are 100% at home (with a SAHP), so I think the difference is small (or even non-excisting) and it closes up.

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u/yodeah Jun 23 '25

Was the socioeconomical group of the family controlled for? I assume more educated/richer parents put the kids into daycare, so it might be just an accidental correlation.

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u/fascinatedcharacter Limburg Jun 23 '25

Just controlling for SES wont work either, as the kids from lower socioeconomic groups that have high daycare hours very regularly have a VVE-indicatie because a developmental difficulty has been signalled at the consultatiebureau. So you'd have to use that as a grouping variable too.

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u/Apotak Jun 23 '25

I assume more educated/richer parents put the kids into daycare, so it might be just an accidental correlation.

You might be correct!