Vilvoorde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Vilvoorde centralises childcare in primary schools with three organisations, uniform fees, and up to 40% discounts. Mayor Hans Bonte, Alderman Jo De Ro and Sophie Lucas lead.
As VRT News reported, Vilvoorde is launching a new childcare system in its primary schools. The city is centralising before- and after-school care, replacing the old system where each school managed its own. Mayor Hans Bonte and education alderman Jo De Ro say this will ease the workload on schools and teachers, as childcare isn’t part of their main job.
The city’s plan, developed over several years, groups nearby schools together. For instance, children from different schools may attend one school for morning care and another for after-school care. Officials mentioned that this approach helps schools by removing the need to organise separate services and making better use of resources like supervisors, space, and materials.
How will Vilvoorde’s new childcare system support families?
The new childcare system in Vilvoorde will be run by three professional organisations, ensuring a consistent approach. The city is focused on maintaining a good ratio of children to supervisors for proper care and attention. A language policy is also part of the program, supporting language development for children in multilingual Vilvoorde.
The city aims to standardise the quality and organisation of childcare, ensuring equal access and higher standards for all families. Officials mentioned that this helps parents and children while allowing schools to concentrate on education, improving the overall school experience.
Previously, childcare fees in Vilvoorde varied depending on the school network, creating unequal costs for families. The city saw this as unfair, as families needing the same service were charged differently. The new system introduces a fixed, uniform price for all families, regardless of the school.
Officials mentioned that this ensures everyone pays the same rate for before- and after-school care, promoting fairness. The city is providing social support: low-income families can receive up to a 40% discount, making childcare accessible and affordable for those who need it most.
Sophie Lucas, director of Catholic Education Vilvoorde Machelen-Diegem, supports the city’s new childcare plan. She highlights the plan as a strong collaboration between schools and the city. Lucas says the partnership focuses on meeting the needs of children and parents.
Schools, the city, and childcare organisations want to ensure the new system offers high-quality care. They aim to create a safe environment for children while helping parents manage work and family.
