Au pair or regular childcare
What is the best choice for your family?
What is regular childcare?
Regular childcare includes certified daycare centers or nurseries where professional caregivers look after children in a group environment. This care is often aimed at children from 0 to 12 years old and offers structured activities, meals, and social interaction with peers. Childcare centers must meet strict legal requirements, such as registration in the National Childcare Register (LRK), a pedagogical policy plan, and qualified staff with relevant diplomas.
What does regular childcare do exactly?
Regular childcare provides a structured environment where children can learn, play, and grow. The main features are:
- Educational and recreational activities tailored to age groups.
- Encouraging social interaction and cooperation with peers.
- A fixed daily routine with clear rules and structure.
- Professional guidance by qualified staff.
- Care, such as providing meals, changing diapers, and nap times.
How does regular daycare work?
Parents enroll their child in a Daycare center and choose a care package based on hours and days per week. Costs are calculated per child and per hour, and parents may be eligible for childcare allowance if the center is registered in the LRK. Average costs for childcare in the Netherlands range between €8 and €12 per hour per child, depending on location and type of care.
| Au pair | Regular Daycare | |
|---|---|---|
| Costs | Pocket money (€340 per month) + room and board; additional costs for insurance. | €8-€12 per hour per child; costs quickly add up with multiple children. |
| Tasks and responsibilities | Childcare and light household chores such as cooking and cleaning. | Exclusive focus on childcare, no household chores. |
| Flexibility | Flexible schedule: maximum eight hours per day/thirty hours per week/minimum two days off. | Fixed times, usually limited to working hours on weekdays. |
| Cultural enrichment | Introduces new customs, languages, and traditions into the family. | Focus on local culture and norms, without international influences. |
| Environment and pedagogical approach | Personal care within the family; less professionally structured. | Certified care with a fixed pedagogical plan and group activities. |
Comparison: au pair vs regular daycare
Costs
Au pair: pocket money (€340 per month) + room and board; additional costs for insurance.
Regular daycare: €8-€12 per hour per child; costs quickly add up with multiple children.
Tasks and responsibilities
Au pair: childcare and light household chores such as cooking and cleaning.
Regular daycare: exclusive focus on childcare, no household chores.
Flexibility
Au pair: flexible schedule: maximum eight hours per day/thirty hours per week/minimum two days off.
Regular daycare: fixed times, usually limited to working hours on weekdays.
Cultural enrichment
Au pair: introduces new customs, languages, and traditions into the family.
Regular daycare: focus on local culture and norms, without international influences.
Environment and pedagogical approach
Au pair: personal care within the family; less professionally structured.
Regular daycare: certified care with a fixed pedagogical plan and group activities.
Why an au pair might be the better choice
While regular childcare offers benefits, there are situations where an au pair better meets the needs of a family:
1. Cost savings for larger families:
With multiple children, the costs of an au pair are often lower than those of regular childcare, as the fee is fixed.
2. Personal attention:
An au pair provides one-on-one attention, which can be beneficial for children’s development.
Een au pair biedt één-op-één aandacht, wat voordelig kan zijn voor de ontwikkeling van kinderen.
3. Flexibility:
Within the legal framework (a maximum of eight hours per day, a maximum of thirty hours per week, and at least two full days off), you can create your own weekly schedule. An au pair can also perform tasks in the evenings.
4. Cultural enrichment:
An au pair introduces new languages, traditions, and perspectives into the family. This offers children a unique learning experience.
5. Part of the family:
An au pair is often seen as a family member, creating a warm and familiar atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
An au pair lives with the family, provides personal care and cultural enrichment, while childcare looks after children in a group environment with professional guidance.
For families with multiple children, au pairs are usually cheaper because their fee is not calculated per child.
? An au pair is much more flexible, as she lives in the house and can adapt to irregular working hours. Childcare operates with fixed hours and days.
Daycare centers offer structured programs with educational and social activities designed to support children’s development.
Although au pairs do not have a professional pedagogical background, they can help children with schoolwork and informal education, such as learning a new language.
No, childcare allowance is only available for care registered with the LRK, such as regular childcare.
If you need flexibility, cultural enrichment, and one-on-one attention, an au pair is a better choice. If you seek a professional, structured environment, Daycare is more suitable.
An au pair agency can help find a solution, such as re-placement or additional guidance.
An au pair can stay in the Netherlands for a maximum of 12 months.
Yes, an au pair can do light household work, such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping, in addition to childcare.
Au pair, childcare, childminder or nanny
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