Daycare prices outpace benefit cap, hitting low earners hardest

Seven in 10 daycare centres now charge more than the hourly rate covered by childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag), and parents have to make up the shortfall, parents’ association BOinK reported.

The average hourly rate at the 400 organisations BOinK surveyed is €11.82, while the government only subsidises up to €11.23. The cap goes up to €11.60 in January, which is still less than most centres are already charging, and prices are set to rise again next year.

Low earners will get hit hardest, NU.nl reported on Monday. The state covers 96% of the capped rate for the lowest incomes, leaving them with a bill of a few cents an hour – until the surcharge above the cap is added.

A family on a low income with a child in daycare two days a week could be paying €80 a month next year, up from €70.

“For many parents, this means their own contribution keeps rising,” BOinK chairman Gjalt Jellesma said in a statement.

A social affairs ministry spokesperson told NU.nl that childcare is becoming more affordable overall and that the gap between the cap and actual prices has narrowed since 2023.