Parents paid relatively less for childcare in 2025 compared to 2024, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Parents with children in daycare received an average reimbursement of 68 percent of their costs in 2025, up from 65 percent in 2024. In total, 719,000 parents received childcare allowance.
The increase in allowance forms part of the government plan to make childcare more affordable. In 2025, the government raised the allowance percentage, whereas in 2024 it primarily increased the maximum hourly rate. The national government reviews this maximum rate annually. Parents can apply for allowance up to this capped hourly price, but must cover any difference out of pocket if a childcare provider charges a higher rate.
In 2025, the average out-of-pocket contribution for parents stood at €3,340, compared to €3,210 two years prior.
Income determines subsidy levels and out-of-pocket costs
The amount of childcare allowance parents receive depends on household income, the number of children attending care, and the type of childcare used. Higher-earning parents receive a lower subsidy.
In 2025, parents in the lowest income bracket paid an average out-of-pocket contribution of €1,190, which covered 11 percent of their total childcare costs. Conversely, parents in the highest income bracket paid €5,950, representing roughly half of their total costs.
In 2025, over 520,000 children attended daycare and 575,000 attended after-school care. Overall, childcare centres welcomed 11,000 more children in 2025 than in 2024. Meanwhile, enrollment with registered childminders decreased by nearly ten percent year-on-year.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
