Brussels, April 5, 2025 — The Flemish government’s newly approved childcare plan has drawn sharp criticism from the Marxist opposition party PVDA, which says the measures fail to address the systemic problems plaguing the sector.
The plan, announced on Friday by Flemish Minister of Welfare Caroline Gennez (Vooruit), includes the creation of 10,000 additional childcare places across Flanders.
While this expansion is framed as a significant investment in early childhood care, PVDA argues that it falls short of what is needed to deliver quality and affordable childcare for all.
“For new places, you need staff, and that requires better wages and less workload,” said PVDA Member of Parliament Lise Vandecasteele. “This plan offers no progress in these areas.”
Vandecasteele pointed out that the sector is already struggling with staff shortages, low morale, and burnout due to high workloads and limited financial recognition.
According to her, increasing capacity without addressing the fundamental working conditions of childcare providers risks exacerbating the situation rather than solving it.
The PVDA is calling for a further reduction in the number of children per caregiver — a move the party says is crucial for ensuring both the safety and development of children and the well-being of staff.
Additionally, the party advocates for improved wages and better employment terms to attract and retain qualified personnel.
Another major point of contention is the distribution of the newly created places. Of the 10,000 planned, only 6,000 will be income-related, meaning that parents’ fees are adjusted according to their household income.
The remaining 4,000 places will be at facilities where providers can set their own prices, potentially making them unaffordable for lower-income families.
“In times of increasing poverty and financial pressure on families, we need more income-related childcare places, not fewer,” Vandecasteele added. “This dual system risks creating inequality in access to quality childcare.”
Minister Gennez defended the plan as a “real step forward,” emphasizing that it not only expands capacity but also aims to address regional shortages and long waiting lists for childcare. She acknowledged, however, that the sector faces complex challenges that require sustained, long-term efforts.
“We are investing in the future of our children,” Gennez said. “This plan is part of a broader reform aimed at improving childcare quality and availability across the region.”
Still, opposition voices, including trade unions and social organizations, have echoed PVDA’s concerns. They argue that without immediate improvements in staffing conditions, any quantitative growth in places may not translate into improved childcare quality.
As Flanders continues to navigate its childcare reform, the pressure is mounting on the government to strike a balance between accessibility, affordability, and sustainability.
With elections looming next year, the childcare debate is likely to remain a politically charged issue — one that will test the region’s commitment to families and frontline workers alike.
