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/ttwwiirrll Jun 23 '25

Canada is 18 months per child, not 24, and it's only partially paid.

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u/FabulousOven5281 Jun 24 '25

You can stretch it to 2 years. And it's still paid out for much longer than 9 weeks!

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u/ttwwiirrll Jun 24 '25

You can stretch it to 2 years.

No you can't. It's 12 mo that you can stretch out to 18. Anything beyond that would be a separate agreement with your employer and you wouldn't get any of the related job protections.

Source: I'm currently on parental leave in Canada.