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Looking after the kids

10:50 27/09/2011

A guide to childcare in Brussels

Whether you are returning to work full-time after maternity leave, seeking after-school assistance or simply looking for help during the holidays, knowing how to navigate Belgium’s often fragmented care system is indispensable. While childcare provision is plentiful and more affordable than in many other countries, it varies from one language Community and Region to another with a real divide between state-controlled and largely unregulated private options. Informal and regulated care for 0-2-year-olds is also scarce, so it helps to be organised and ready to book early if you want to find the best solution for your family.

1.        Crèches (0-3 years)
When both parents are working, crèches are the most common choice of childcare but places are in short supply so be ready to reserve from the fourth month of pregnancy, preferably close to home or the work place. Some organisations and companies run crèches for their employees, including the European Commission, universities and hospitals. Otherwise pre-school provision is largely the domain of the French-speaking Office de la Naissance et de l’Enfance (ONE) and its Flemish counterpart, Kind en Gezin (K & G). They run sought-after state nurseries where the cost is linked to parents’ income, ranging from €2 to €29 a day, and that cater for up to 50 children. They also supervise smaller, private crèches which usually start at around €500 a month, part of which is tax-deductible. Crèches are increasingly staying open later and some can meet the needs of handicapped children. A full list of nurseries is available from your local commune and the French-speaking organisation La Ligue des familles is a family action group which can advise on many issues.

www.one.be, www.kindengezin.be, www.liguedesfamilles.be

2.    Childminders and playgroups
ONE and K & G also supervise a small number of private childminders who care for up to four children in their own homes at a cost of approximately €20 a day. Otherwise, this option is largely filled by unofficial and largely untrained carers. Parents also recruit childminders for older children who need picking up from school and looking after in their own home until they return from work. Expect to pay at least €10 an hour. Some families group together to offer alternative and communal care. Local newspapers, websites and the Bulletin’s classified ads are a common resource for finding childminders.

The Brussels Childbirth Trust provides playgroups for toddlers aged between 18 months and two-and-a-half years, as well as support to expectant and new mums. French-speaking La Farandoline runs playgroups for 1-3 year-olds to help them start socialising in both Brussels and Wallonia (02.770.88.56). The Community Help Service in Brussels is also on hand to provide therapy as well as psychological testing for children.

www.thebulletin.be, www.bctbelgium.com, www.chsbelgium.org

3.     Nannies and au pairs
While live-in nannies and au pairs are rare in Belgian society, where the wider family is often on hand to help out with child care, many expat families take in a young person from abroad for the flexibility it offers. There are a number of international nanny/au pair agencies which can organise help: www.nanniesinc.com, www.nanniesofeurope.com, www.easyaupair.com, www.homefromhome.be. For au pairs, it’s worth contacting the Swedish Church (Eglise Suédoise), which can organise au pairs from Sweden and other Scandinavian countries and runs playgroups for children 0-6 at its Etterbeek church, 35 Avenue des Gaulois, www.svenskakyrkan.se. Danish au pairs are available by registering at The Danish Church, which acts as a mediator between Brussels families and youngsters in Denmark. www.dankirke.be.

4.      School provision (3-6)
With Belgian pre-school starting at age two-and-a-half to three many families place their children in local primary schools to help them with their early learning and language skills (‘maternelle’ in French or ‘kleuterschool’ in Dutch). Most schools offer early morning and after-school care provision for a small fee. The compulsory school age in Belgium is six and Wednesday is a half day, which explains why many Belgian women work four days a week.

5.     School holidays
School holidays in Belgium stretch to two months in summer and a total of three months over the year. Along with the occasional teacher-training day, holidays can be a recurring headache for parents. Holiday activities include ‘stages’ organised by both the local commune (recommended to book early) and local sports clubs, museums and private schools (ECIS European Council for International Schools).

 

 

Written by Sarah Crew