Legislation
Are you a foster carer (gastouder) or do you run a foster care agency (gastouderbureau) in the Netherlands? The rules are changing significantly from 1 July 2026. The amendment to the Childcare Act (Wet kinderopvang) aims to secure and further improve the quality of foster childcare across the Netherlands.
Much of what is already working well will become legally required from 1 July. That may sound like a formality, but for foster carers and agencies that do not yet meet all the new requirements, action is needed.
1. Mandatory training: 7 hours per year
Every foster carer is required to complete at least 7 hours of professional development per year. The choice of training is flexible, as long as it focuses on development as a foster carer. Existing foster carers do not need to retrain from scratch.
2. Coaching: at least 3 hours per year
Every foster carer is entitled to and required to participate in at least 3 hours of pedagogical coaching per year through their foster care agency.
3. Mandatory pedagogical work plan
Every foster carer must draw up their own pedagogical work plan, based on the policy plan of the foster care agency. This plan also describes how the development of children in their care is monitored.
4. Mandatory backup person (achterwacht)
Every foster carer must have a designated backup person who can be present at the care location within 15 minutes in an emergency.
5. Maximum of 2 foster care agencies
A foster carer may be registered with a maximum of 2 foster care agencies. If you are currently registered with more than 2, a transitional arrangement applies: you may complete existing contracts with parents.
6. Own children count longer in the maximum
The age limit up to which your own children count towards the maximum number of children you may care for simultaneously changes from 10 years to 8 years.
1. New training requirements for pedagogical policy staff
Staff members who coach foster carers must meet new training requirements. They need the right skills to support and guide foster carers effectively.
2. Pedagogical goals required in policy plan
The 4 pedagogical goals from the Childcare Innovation and Quality Act (IKK) must be incorporated into the agency's pedagogical policy plan.
3. Fewer mandatory on-site meetings
The introductory meeting (koppelingsgesprek) and progress meeting (voortgangsgesprek) no longer need to take place on the foster carer's premises. This makes the process more flexible for all parties.
4. Annual evaluation with parents
Foster care agencies are required to evaluate the care arrangement with parents annually. If parents indicate they have no need for this and the agency has demonstrably made every effort to offer it, the agency cannot be penalised for the absence of an evaluation.
📅 Entry into force: 1 July 2026
The amendment to the Childcare Act comes into force on 1 July 2026. Note: some additional regulations have an entry-into-force date that is not yet final. Monitor communications from your municipality and the National Register of Childcare (LRK).
As a foster carer:
1. Arrange a backup person who can be present within 15 minutes.
2. Draw up a pedagogical work plan together with your agency.
3. Schedule your annual professional development (at least 7 hours).
4. Check how many foster care agencies you are registered with.
5. Update your administration to reflect the new age limit of 8 years for your own children.
As a foster care agency:
1. Check whether your pedagogical policy staff meet the new training requirements.
2. Incorporate the 4 IKK goals into your pedagogical policy plan.
3. Inform your foster carers about the new rules and assist them in drawing up their work plans.
4. Schedule annual evaluation conversations with parents.
Parents can continue to claim childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag), provided the foster carer and the foster care agency are registered in the National Register of Childcare (LRK) and comply with all applicable requirements. The maximum number of children a foster carer may care for simultaneously (6 children aged 0 to 13 per day) remains unchanged.
Have questions about this legislative change? Send an email to info@sarabeladministratie.nl.