Childcare in Belgium 2026 — how to find a place
Finding a childcare place for your baby is often one of the first challenges of new parenthood. We explain the types of childcare, who regulates what depending on your region, how pricing works, and above all the right method to secure a place in time.
Childcare depends on your language community: the ONE on the French-speaking side (Wallonia + French-speaking Brussels), Kind en Gezin / Opgroeien on the Dutch-speaking side (Flanders + Dutch-speaking Brussels). The fee is often income-based, and the golden rule is to register very early — sometimes during pregnancy.
The childcare landscape for ages 0-3
In Belgium, care for the youngest children (before nursery school, usually around age 2.5-3) relies on a network of approved childcare settings. In most cities, demand far exceeds supply: places are scarce, especially in large urban areas.
Two things to keep in mind from the start:
The types of childcare
Beyond the word "crèche" that everyone uses, there are several care arrangements, with vocabulary differences between French- and Dutch-speakers. Here are the main families.
| Type of care | What it is | For whom / strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Day nursery / group care | A collective setting caring for a group of children, run by a team of professionals. FR: crèche / accueil collectif; NL: kinderdagverblijf. | Early socialisation, stable hours, trained team. In high demand, so places are scarce. |
| Childminder (home-based care) | An approved person cares for a small number of children in their own home. FR: accueillant·e à domicile; NL: onthaalouder. | Family setting, small group, more relational flexibility. Ideal for the very youngest. |
| Co-childminding | Two childminders join forces in one location to care for a slightly larger group together. FR: co-accueil; NL: samenwerkende onthaalouders. | A compromise between the family setting and group care; continuity if one is absent. |
| Private / independent care | Authorised settings that do not apply the income-based fee: they set their own price (free price). | Often more availability, sometimes wider hours; free price, so compare carefully. |
⚠️ Vocabulary and approval differ by community. Always check that a setting is authorised/approved by the ONE or Kind en Gezin/Opgroeien: it guarantees supervised care (and is the condition for the childcare tax reduction).
Who regulates childcare depending on your region
This is the point that confuses most parents. The relevant public service is not the same depending on the language of the care.
The ONE (Office de la Naissance et de l'Enfance) approves childcare settings, sets the standards and oversees the income-based fee. Reference: one.be.
Kind en Gezin, part of the Opgroeien agency, approves childcare (kinderopvang) and manages the income-based fee (inkomenstarief). References: kindengezin.be and opgroeien.be.
The two networks coexist: you can register your child in an ONE or a Kind en Gezin setting, depending on language and availability. Applying in both networks boosts your chances.
How pricing works
Good news for the budget: in the subsidised network the price is regulated and most often proportional to your income. We deliberately stay qualitative here — the exact amount depends on your situation and is calculated with the organisation.
⚠️ No universal amount: the price depends on your income, the type of setting and the community. Always have your exact contribution calculated with the ONE or Kind en Gezin/Opgroeien before committing.
Note: whatever fee you pay, childcare costs in an authorised setting open up a tax benefit. More on this in the section on the childcare tax reduction.
How to find (and secure) a place
This is the most stressful part. Here is the method that maximises your chances.
And after the crèche: out-of-school care
Once your child is in nursery and then primary school, the need for care doesn't disappear — it changes form. We then speak of out-of-school care: before- and after-school care, Wednesday afternoons, camps and holiday clubs.
The link with the childcare tax reduction
Whatever setting you choose, carefully keep all the certificates the setting gives you. Childcare costs for a child in an authorised setting (ONE, Kind en Gezin/Opgroeien, schools, camps, youth movements…) qualify for a tax reduction in your return.
This is a benefit not to be underestimated, especially for a single parent. We detail the caps, the percentage and the age limit in the dedicated guide to the deduction of childcare costs. Also remember to align your return to work with your parental leave and to check your child benefits.