Today, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment launched an internet consultation for the Childcare Decree BES. The Cabinet is thus arranging for the increase of the baby supplement for childcare organisations from 1 January 2027. The amendment also aims to provide more clarity about the period of at most 15 days a year during which childcare organisations can close whilst maintaining financing. It is possible to react on the consultation up to and including Monday 1 June 2026.
Increase of the baby supplement
Childcare organisations that care for babies, receive additional money from the government. This is called the 'baby supplement'. This money is for additional costs for babies up to the age of one year. For instance, for more staff, milk formula, and nappies. Around the entry into force of the Childcare Act BES in 2026, signals were received that the baby supplement was too low. The new rules resulted in higher costs. Some care locations for babies were facing closure. There were already too few places for babies. That is why the Cabinet decided to increase the baby supplement from 2027. This is included in the Spring Memorandum of 2026. It regards an increase of approximately 15% from 2027.
Clarity about continued payment when closing
Childcare organisations on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba are often small and have few staff. As a result, it is difficult to organise holidays, instruction, training, and maintenance without occasionally closing. That is why it was decided that childcare organisations can close a maximum of fifteen (15) days a year whilst yet receiving money. Childcare organisations are already familiar with this working method, but this is now established more clearly. The Decree specifies precisely to what organisations are entitled to payment and for how long.
There are some exceptions:
- A childcare centre does not receive money if the supervisory authority closes the childcare centre because the situation is dangerous or unhealthy to children.
- If a childcare centre needs to close due to force majeure, for instance in case of a hurricane or other natural disaster, then this is not deducted from the 15 days. In that case, an organisation receives money up to a maximum of six months.
React?
Anyone can react to the internet consultation from Monday 4 May up to and including Monday 1 June 2026 (17:59 local time) via: https://www.internetconsultatie.nl/besluitkinderopvangbes/b1.