Parents in Flanders could see a significant rise in childcare expenses as a result of a reform in the region’s child discount scheme, with some families facing an increase of up to €970 annually.
The new measures, which are set to change how discounts are applied to daycare services, could add substantial financial strain for families with multiple children.
Currently, the child discount scheme provides a reduction in the cost of daycare for families with multiple children under the age of 12. In 2024, parents were paying €3.91 less per day for each additional child in daycare after the first.
However, in 2025, this discount will rise slightly to €4.05 per day, a move aimed at further supporting families. The aim of the scheme has been to make childcare more affordable for families with several young children.
However, a significant change in the policy is expected to impact parents across Flanders. The Flemish Government has decided that the child discount will only apply to children attending daycare at the same time.
This decision is set to affect families with children of different ages, as the current system allows discounts for children who are not necessarily in daycare together.
Under the new system, parents could be forced to pay an additional €150 per month for each child, depending on their situation.
For families with three children in daycare, this means an annual increase of up to €970, potentially making childcare even more difficult to afford.
In response to the changes, Flemish MP Lise Vandecasteele (PTB/PVDA) expressed concerns over the financial burden these reforms will place on families.
“This is a saving of €33 million, which is passed on to parents,” Vandecasteele said. “And this while we know that the high cost is already a barrier for parents to make more use of childcare.”
The reform is set to affect 49,160 families in the region. However, Minister for Welfare Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) has defended the decision, arguing that the reform is a necessary adjustment.
“Today, families receive a discount when two or more children are in daycare together, which is an enormous cost for families. We are going to keep it that way,” said Gennez.
Yet, Gennez believes it is no longer “logical” to continue providing the discount for children who are no longer in daycare, such as those who have started nursery school.
She explained that the money saved from this change will be reinvested into creating more daycare places and hiring additional staff. “Money that is intended for children in daycare must also go to them,” Gennez asserted.
While the plan to reduce subsidies for families with children who are no longer in daycare may seem financially sound from a governmental perspective, critics argue that the reforms will exacerbate the already significant financial pressures on parents.
This is especially true for families with children at different stages of their education, who could see their daycare costs escalate dramatically under the new rules.
At this stage, it remains unclear exactly when the reform will come into effect, adding to the uncertainty surrounding its potential impact.
The Flemish Government has yet to confirm a final timeline for the policy’s implementation, leaving parents unsure of when to expect the increase.
In the coming months, debates over the fairness and timing of these changes will likely continue as families weigh the financial implications of the new childcare discount system.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
