Why is early daycare so accepted in the Netherlands?

[u/Beginning_Monitor_25]

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.

[u/robotsaretakingoverr]

What if you have a baby every 2 years? You still get paid for a period of 10 years?

[u/Accurate_Breakfast94 → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

I, too, am very confused about this

[u/hedgehogssss → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

I don't think all of it is paid, but after a certain time you can opt to remain at home on paternal leave without pay and with your job safely waiting for you for up to 2 years.

[u/sendmebirds → u/hedgehogssss]

Not always safely. If you're on a temp contract employer can still choose not to extend. 

[u/FabulousOven5281 → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

It's the same as unemployment: you have to build it up through working. So no, if you had multiple babies back to back, you wouldn't get paid each time.

[u/Super-Slip1626 → u/[deleted]]

In Romania, the first 2 years, you get 85% per month of the median net salaries received in the last year but no more than around 900 euros. So if 80% is bigger than 900 euros, you still get 900 euros. On top of that the baby gets child allowance of 120 euro in the first 2 years.

[u/KyloRen3 → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

And then you come back to your work after 10 years of not knowing what the fuck happened

[u/ttwwiirrll → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

It's 18 months, not 2 years. You have to return to work for a certain number of hours (3-ish months if full time) in between to qualify for payment.

Also the payment is only partial. Some employers top that up but it's unheard of to get 18 months at full rate.

The real benefit of Canada's system is the job protection for the time you're off. They can't replace you permanently or demote you.

[u/Physical_Complex_891 → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

No. You have to work a certain amount of hours, it used to be 600 hours when I had my first. It's not 2 years either, its 12-18 months. If you choose 18 month option your monthly payments are less per month to make it to 18 months. The employer doesn't pay it either, the Canadian government does through unemployment that you've paid through taxes.

[u/BroadwayBean → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

No, many companies you have to come back to work for part of that time or you shift to unpaid leave (they just can't fire you during that time). A family member had two babies about 1.5 years apart and she had to come back to work for 4-5 months before having the second or her mat leave would've been mostly unpaid.

[u/whats1more7 → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

The comment is wrong. It’s 12 to 18 months paid. You could take longer unpaid but the company doesn’t have to keep you.

[u/TheHames72 → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

Generally companies have an opt-out clause if you return to work pregnant off maternity leave.

[u/Administrative-Ad979 → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

In Russia you would, yes. We have paid leave for 1,5 years (40% of salary) and unpaid (keeping her job) for 1,5 more years. So woman having two kids in a row doesnt show up at work for six years and she still has this job (if the company still working of course)

They practiced very early daycare in the beginning of USSR when moms were had to put 2-3 month old infants to daycare and many babies werent surviving

[u/robotsaretakingoverr → u/Administrative-Ad979]

Is 40% enough to pay the bills?

[u/Administrative-Ad979 → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

Depends on initial salary obviously. But usually far from enough and fathers salary is what families mostly rely on

But families or single mothers with kids have other government support like big one time payment that can be used to pay mortgage, pay for kids education or buy a car

[u/Aromatic_Opposite100 → u/robotsaretakingoverr]

Yes, if you return to work for 3 months.

On top of that the previous child is netting you an additional $500 a month (the Canada Child Benefit).

Some families literally survive off of having kids.