Together we are stronger
‘Together we are stronger', that is the driving force behind the cooperation agreements between education, childcare and municipalities, which arose from the shrinkage and decline in the number of children in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and also from joining forces and thinking in possibilities.
In the region Zeeuws Vlaanderen, there is an unique problem for the Netherlands, in view of an outflow of 10-12% of children to the (almost) free childcare system in Belgium. This, in combination with a serious demographic contraction of 25-30%, is causing a weakening level of facilities. It creates an attack on the livability and vitality of the region, but it also leads to creativity and the search for opportunities.
One of these opportunities is the so called Start Groups, a toddler arrangement in 13 core areas along the border. The Start Groups have delivered their value in a quantitative sense with a toddlers participation increase from 10% to almost 60%. This group of young children all appear to continue further to primary education. This enables us to strengthen the entire chain from childcare to MBO/HBO. Investing in young children pays off to prevent or limit disadvantages, other problems and costs for society in later years.
A pilot with free day care has started since April of this year at three locations in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen: Heidepoort in Heikant, ’t Vangnetje in Eede and De Statie in Sas van Gent.
The free day care pilot is a project from the regional deal and is a development of the Start Groups along the border. Start Groups offer a toddler project where children aged 2-4 years receive 3 half-days for free if they purchase 2 half-days.
Parties united in the partnership Child in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen (the 3 municipalities of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, childcare, primary education and subsidy regional deal) are paying for this project. The aim of the pilot is to increase the development opportunities of all children through free access to childcare. The pilot is also intended to reverse the outflow of Dutch children to Belgian education. An additional advantage is that this pilot gives parents the opportunity to work (more), to study and to better distribute care responsibilities.