Formal child care

Formal child care is defined as:

• day care for children aged 0 to 4
• child care before and after school and during school holidays, for primary schoolchildren
• care services by nurseries with parent participation or childminders through agencies

The Dutch Childcare Act only applies to formal care which has been registered with the local municipality. Informal child care services do not fall under the Childcare Act. Playgroups or lunchtime care for schoolgoing children are not included either.