2022
Reforms to be updated.
2021
Childcare online portal In order to adapt childcare services to the current and future needs of families, there is a need for an online portal to search for, allocate and manage childcare places. To this end, the website "meinekinderbetreuung.be" and the corresponding administration portal were designed in cooperation between the Ministry of the German-speaking Community, the RZKB (Regional Zentrum für Kleinkindbetreuung), Kaleido East Belgium and the Antwerp-based developer company, and are constantly being developed. The public has had access to the website since autumn 2020. The Ministry of the German-speaking Community provides a helpdesk for citizens and services. Here, help with applications as well as help with using the system can be claimed.
Crèches With the government decree of 15 July 2021, the subsidy for the providers of crèches was adjusted so that they can offer their services in a way that covers their costs.
Subsidies for childminders affiliated to a service Childminders, who continue to receive a tax-free cost allowance/child for their work, will experience an increase in this cost allowance to €23/child/day as of 1 October 2021.
Digitalisation in childcare All childminders, whether they are affiliated to a service or work independently, will be provided with a laptop and compensation for internet connection.
Promotion of self-employed childminders and childminders' homes. A function and rent subsidy for a maximum of 4 childcare places per self-employed childminder was introduced on 1 January 2021. This amounts to between € 1,000 and € 3,000/year/child. Furthermore, in addition to the already existing lump sum for equipment, the self-employed childminders are provided with additional pedagogical material. The previous financial support for further training of self-employed childminders has been doubled.
2020
There have been no reforms. In view of the increasing demands and tasks placed on teachers teaching in kindergarten, the function of assistant has been introduced iin 2019. The assistants are present throughout the year to support the teachers in their work. They are responsible for various tasks, including support during educational activities, lunch, etc.