Gov't pushes €6 mil. into subsidy for unqualified assistants against childcare shortages

As part of its plan to attract more workers to childcare, the Dutch government is launching subsidies for childcare organizations to hire unqualified group assistants. The Ministry is allocating 6 million euros to this, responsible State Secretary Jurgen Nobel for Participation and Integration told AD.

Like the previous government, the Schoof I Cabinet is determined to make childcare almost free for everyone but postponed the implementation from 2025 to 2027 in order to first try and address the widespread staff shortages in the sector. Part of making childcare more accessible is to get more parents working more hours to address staff shortages throughout the labor market, but that would mean more kids in childcare, which is already stretched beyond its limits.

“If childcare becomes almost free, more people will use it and even more employees will be needed at daycare centers. The new subsidy scheme is intended to attract them,” Nobel told the newspaper. There is currently a shortage of around 6,000 people in the childcare sector.

With the subsidy, childcare organizations can receive a subsidy of up to 10,000 euros to hire someone to help with the daily care and activities of the children. Nobel stressed that these unqualified workers will not replace qualified employees, and a condition of the subsidy is that there must always be a trained person in the group. Unqualified employees must also be employed for at least one year and follow a part-time vocational training course. The government hopes that this will also lead to more qualified employees in childcare.

“Initially it is really about support. That is desperately needed. You do not need an extra diploma to become a group assistant,” Nobel said. “This way, Ukrainians or refugees who are currently on the sidelines can get working in an accessible manner.”

The new subsidy will come into effect immediately.