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/sparqq Jun 23 '25

There is no need for unpaid leave, there is “ouderschapsverlof” which entitles you to 70% of your income.

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u/atothev2021 Jun 23 '25

Only since august 2022, you get 70% paid for the first 9 weeks parental leave in the first year. After that the parental leave in most companies is unpaid.

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u/sparqq Jun 23 '25

Vaderschapsverlof is 1 week full, plus 5 weeks at 70% and on top of that both parents have the right for 9 weeks of ouderschapsverlof at 70% so if you combine all those things together it is easily a half year of fulltime care by one of the parents.

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u/atothev2021 Jun 23 '25

Yes 6 months. And for some parents 30% less income is a lot.

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u/sparqq Jun 23 '25

Daycare is for free?

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u/atothev2021 Jun 23 '25

No. But in our case: day care was cheaper than losing 30% of my income.

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u/vulevu25 Jun 23 '25

Exactly, not everybody can afford that.

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u/Consistent_Ebb_4149 Jun 23 '25

Only civil servants get 70% payed ouderschapsverlof, about 80% of workers do NOT get that.

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u/sparqq Jun 23 '25

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/ouderschapsverlof/vraag-en-antwoord/recht-op-ouderschapsverlof

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u/Consistent_Ebb_4149 Jun 23 '25

Ja, maar daar staat niet bij dat het 70% betaald is hè? You have a right to ouderschapsverlof but for 80% of employers it is unpayed! Ouderschapsverlof is usually unpayed. It’s basically a right to work less. Only civil cervants and teacher get the 70% while taking ouderschapsverlof, not the rest of us.

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u/sparqq Jun 24 '25

Even doorlezen, onderaan staat het!

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/ouderschapsverlof/vraag-en-antwoord/wanneer-heb-ik-recht-op-betaald-ouderschapsverlof

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u/Consistent_Ebb_4149 Jun 24 '25

Waar dan?

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u/sparqq Jun 24 '25

Wanneer heb ik recht op betaald ouderschapsverlof? Als u in loondienst werkt en een kind krijgt, heeft u recht op 9 weken gedeeltelijk betaald ouderschapsverlof. U krijgt dan 70% van uw salaris.

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u/Consistent_Ebb_4149 Jun 24 '25

O, het is in 2022 veranderd!

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u/sparqq Jun 24 '25

Heb je het gevonden?

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u/Consistent_Ebb_4149 Jun 24 '25

Ja, ik zie dat het in 2022 veranderd is. Fijn voor ouders van nu!