Half of childcare staff may consist of trainees

What changes?

Are you the owner of a daycare centre or out-of-school care (bso)? From 1 July 2026 you are allowed to structurally have half of your staff consist of professionals in training. Until 2022 you were allowed to have one third of your staff consist of trainees. Since 2022 this has been temporarily expanded to half of your professional staff. In future, this will be structural.

Greater flexibility for staffing in childcare

You will have more options for scheduling your staff. This will help you to:

• cover staff breaks
• compensate for illness of professionals
• close groups less often
• cope better with staff shortages

Conditions for employing professionals in training

You will have to meet several conditions to deploy trainees as professionals in the group:

• You have to draw up a mentoring plan.
• The trainee has to agree with this plan.
• The trainee’s practical supervisor must agree with the plan.
• The trainee’s educational supervisor must agree with the plan.

Proper supervision is mandatory. This ensures quality in childcare and helps trainees with their professional development.

For whom?

• childcare organisations (daycare and out-of-school care)

When?

This change in the Childcare act regulations is expected to take effect on 1 July 2026. This will then replace the temporary measure that is currently effective.

Internet consultation: You can give your opinion on this proposed change until 24 February 2026 (in Dutch).