How to start a preschool in Belgium

Belgium, particularly the Flemish Community, offers a robust framework for early childhood education and care. Aspiring preschool founders will find a system that values both centre-based and family daycare options, with significant public subsidy for regulated services. The key authority in the Flemish Community is Kind en Gezin (Child and Family), a Flemish Government agency operating under the Flemish Ministry for Welfare, Family and Equal Opportunities. They are responsible for overseeing regulations, policies, and funding for childcare and out-of-school care. Understanding their requirements and quality standards is paramount for a successful venture. In the French Community, the Office de la Naissance et de l’Enfance (ONE) authorises childcare services for children under 3 years old, with the Ministry of Education overseeing pre-primary education for children aged 2.5 and above. This guide will help you navigate the process of establishing an early years setting in Belgium, focusing on the distinct regulations and support structures in place.

Regulations

Health safety: While specific details on safeguarding policies, medication administration, or immunisation schedules are not outlined in the provided sources, general health and safety protocols would be mandated by Kind en Gezin in the Flemish Community and the Office de la Naissance et de l’Enfance (ONE) in the French Community. These typically include establishing procedures for illness exclusion to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, maintaining records of incidents and accidents, and having clear policies for emergency situations. Staff would be expected to have basic first-aid training. The 'Quality Code decree' in the French Community suggests a comprehensive approach to ensuring children's well-being and safety.

Licensing overview: In the Flemish Community, Kind en Gezin licenses and subsidises childcare services, including Kinderdagverblijf (state-subsidised child care centres) and family day care. The agency determines minimum quality levels, monitors care quality, and provides funding. Local authorities and non-profit organisations also run provision often in response to Kind en Gezin initiatives. In the French Community, the Office de la Naissance et de l’Enfance (ONE) authorises childcare services for children under 3 years old, a large majority of which are subsidised. From 2.5 years, pre-primary education is organised by various education networks and financed by the Ministry of Education. The application process involves meeting specific quality codes and adherence to staff-to-child ratios, facility requirements and health and safety standards. Inspections are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance with these standards.

Licensing authority: Kind en Gezin (Flemish Community) / Office de la Naissance et de l’Enfance (French Community)

Staff qualifications: In Flanders, subsidised childcare centres engage certified kinderverzorgsters (child carers) with a one-year post-secondary professional diploma. Kleuterschools (public pre-schools) require kleuteronderwijzers (nursery school teachers) with a three-year tertiary qualification, receiving salaries equivalent to other teachers. While 99% of early education teachers are fully trained, only about 25% of childcare jobs require a diploma. Service managers in both sectors need qualifications, and in public subsidised crèches, all staff must have a diploma or equivalent training. Training requirements for the private sector and public family day care are less stringent, though some training is required for the latter. In the French Community, staff qualifications are generally aligned with ensuring professional care, and the Birth and Childhood Office (ONE) provides pedagogical frameworks.

Facility requirements: Specific square footage requirements per child are not explicitly stated in the provided sources for Belgium. However, general facility requirements would encompass ensuring a safe and suitable environment for children. This typically involves adherence to fire and safety codes, appropriate sanitation facilities, and adequate space for play and learning, both indoors and outdoors. For family day care (FDC), the maximum group size is 8 children. Centre-based day care and pre-schools decide their own maximum group sizes. In the French Community, crèches are set up to take care of a minimum of 14 children, while individual childminders take a maximum of 5 or 10 children depending on the number of supervisors.

Curriculum requirements: In the Flemish Community, the Ministry of Education sets broad aims and objectives for education for children aged 2.5 years and above in Kleuterschools (public pre-schools). While specific mandated frameworks are not detailed, there is considerable autonomy in how schools organise their educational services. The national agency, Kind en Gezin, oversees the quality of care and encourages quality initiatives in the childcare sector. In the French Community, the Birth and Childhood Office (ONE) provides psycho-pedagogical frameworks and tools for childcare facilities to help them base their care project and develop quality practices. Pre-primary education (école maternelle) from 2.5 years is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, with educational guidelines from top-level authorities applying to all ECEC provision, differing by age group.

Startup costs

Startup costs vary significantly based on the type and scale of operation. A small home-based family day care (accueil familial) may require a lower initial investment, mainly for safety upgrades, equipment, and initial licensing. A larger, purpose-built centre for 60-100 children (crèche or Kinderdagverblijf) will incur substantial costs for property acquisition or long-term lease, construction or extensive renovation, specialised equipment, and initial staffing. Ongoing monthly operating costs are influenced by staff salaries, rent/mortgage, utilities, food, educational supplies, and insurance. Subsidies from Kind en Gezin or ONE can significantly offset these costs, particularly staff wages and operational expenses.

Timeline

1. Initial Research and Business Plan (1-3 months): This critical first step involves thoroughly researching the specific regulations and market demand in your chosen Belgian community (Flemish or French). Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining your educational philosophy, target age groups, financial projections, and operational strategy. Familiarise yourself with either Kind en Gezin or ONE's requirements. This initial phase helps to solidify your vision and ensure alignment with local early childhood care needs and governmental expectations.

2. Legal Structure and Registration (1-2 months): Decide on the legal structure for your preschool (e.g., sole proprietorship, non-profit organisation, or company). Register your entity with the relevant Belgian authorities, such as the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO/BCE) and obtain a VAT number if applicable. This step ensures your business is legally recognised and can operate within Belgium's administrative framework. Consult with legal and accounting professionals familiar with Belgian business law during this phase.

3. Secure and Prepare Facility (3-9 months): Identify and secure a suitable location that meets the facility requirements set by Kind en Gezin or ONE. This involves ensuring adequate space, addressing safety and fire codes, and potentially undertaking significant renovations. Obtain necessary building permits and approvals from local municipal authorities. The timeline for this step can vary significantly depending on whether you are leasing, purchasing, or constructing a property, and the extent of required modifications.

4. Licensing and Accreditation Application (4-6 months): Prepare and submit your detailed application to the relevant licensing authority: Kind en Gezin for the Flemish Community or the Office de la Naissance et de l’Enfance (ONE) for the French Community. This application will include documentation on your facility, staff qualifications, health and safety policies, and pedagogical approach. Be prepared for inspections and potential follow-up requests for information or modifications to ensure full compliance with all regulatory standards.

5. Staff Recruitment and Training (2-4 months): Once licensing is underway or secured, begin recruiting qualified staff, such as certified kinderverzorgsters or kleuteronderwijzers in Flanders, or childminders (accueillant(e)s) in the French Community. Conduct thorough background checks as mandated by Belgian law. Provide comprehensive training on your centre's specific policies, curriculum, and emergency procedures. Ensure all staff meet the specific qualification requirements for their roles as stipulated by the regional authorities.

6. Enrollment and Opening (1-2 months): With your licence in hand, facility prepared, and staff trained, you can begin finalising child enrollments. Implement your marketing and outreach strategy to attract families. Conduct open days or information sessions to showcase your facility and educational programme. Final preparations involve stocking all necessary supplies and ensuring all systems are operational for a smooth and successful opening. Begin operations, providing high-quality early childhood education and care.

Next steps: explore the IPC curriculum, read about preschool enrollment, or browse all start-a-preschool guides.

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary regulatory body for early childhood education in the Flemish Community of Belgium?

In the Flemish Community of Belgium, the primary regulatory body for childcare and out-of-school care provision is Kind en Gezin (Child and Family). This is a Flemish Government agency operating under the Flemish Ministry for Welfare, Family and Equal Opportunities. Kind en Gezin is responsible for overseeing regulations, policies, and funding for childcare services, ensuring quality standards, and providing support to centres. For pre-primary education (Kleuterschool) for children aged 2.5 years and above, the Ministry of Education of the Flemish Community sets the broad aims and objectives.

What are the key types of childcare services available in the French Community of Belgium?

In the French Community of Belgium, for children under 3 years old, childcare services are primarily authorised by the Office de la Naissance et de l’Enfance (ONE). The main types include Crèches (centre-based for a minimum of 14 children), (Co)-independent childminders (Accueillant(e)s d'Enfants Indépendant(e)s) caring for up to 5 or 10 children, and Services d'Accueil d'Enfants (SAE) which are also centre-based but with smaller capacities per facility. Additionally, there are Services d'Accueil Spécialisé de la Petite Enfance (SASPEs) for families in crisis and Services for the care of sick children at home (SAEMDs). From 2.5 years, children can access pre-primary education (école maternelle) through the Ministry of Education.

Are there specific professional qualifications required for staff in Belgian childcare settings?

Yes, specific professional qualifications are required, differing by sector and community. In the Flemish Community, subsidised childcare centres require certified kinderverzorgsters (child carers) with a one-year post-secondary professional diploma. Kleuterschools (pre-schools) require kleuteronderwijzers (nursery school teachers) with a three-year tertiary qualification. In regulated settings, managers often need specific qualifications, and in public subsidised crèches, all staff require a diploma. In the French Community, the Birth and Childhood Office (ONE) sets standards, and staff in crèches and other services are expected to meet professional care requirements, often involving specific training or diplomas for childminders.

What is the average cost to parents for childcare in Belgium?

The average cost to parents for childcare in Belgium varies and is significantly impacted by subsidies. In the Flemish Community, for children aged 0-3 years, parents contribute approximately 59.7% of costs in subsidised family day care and 26.2% of costs in subsidised centre-based care. For children aged 3-6 years, the Kleuterschool is publicly funded and largely free, with parents typically paying only about 4% in incidental costs. In the French Community, pre-primary education from 2.5 years is legally entitled to be free of charge, with childcare services for under 3s having significant subsidies, meaning parental contributions are reduced by public funding from ONE.

Is pre-primary education compulsory in Belgium?

In the Flemish Community, compulsory school age is 6 years. However, children from 2.5 years have a legal entitlement to free pre-primary education in the Kleuterschool, and almost 100% of children from 3 to 6 years attend. In the French Community, pre-primary education (école maternelle) is available from 2.5 years. Since September 2020, children aged 5 years and above are subject to compulsory education, meaning the final year of pre-primary education is now mandatory before primary education starts at age 6.

What are the common staff-to-child ratios in Belgian early years settings?

Staff-to-child ratios vary depending on the age group and type of care, and between the Flemish and French Communities. In the Flemish Community, family day care (FDC) typically has a ratio of 1:4 (full-time care) with a maximum group size of 8 children. Centre-based day care averages 1:6.5. Kleuterschools (pre-schools) generally have a ratio of 1:17, but improve to 1:8.5 (17:2) in the first year with an additional child carer. Out-of-school time provision (OSP) is 1:14 with a trained adult. In the French Community, crèches require 1 childminder for every 7 children, in addition to management. Individual childminders generally operate at 1:4 (full-time equivalent) with up to 5 children, or up to 10 with two supervisors.