“Safety and health no longer guaranteed”: Kind&Gezin cancels Desselgem childcare permit

The decision to revoke the permit of the childcare along Gentseweg was already taken in August. “We will not immediately cancel the permit because it was not an acute issue, so that parents still have time to find an alternative for their children,” says Nele Wouters of the Growing Up Agency. “This was a combination of data that made us decide that the safety and health of the children was no longer guaranteed in that shelter. We do not cancel any permit lightly because we realize that this has a major impact on a family. “

The childcare has 18 full-time places, divided over several children and families.

Not up to date

The parents received an explanation from Kind&Gezin in August, but were not aware of the investigation, which had been running for two years. “The childcare has to close after a procedure of more than two years, something that we as parents were not aware of,” says David Herman. “Most parents were only now informed and fell completely out of the blue. The question arises among the parents why Kind en Gezin does not communicate transparently earlier about the checks and findings that have been made in the past.”

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The parents are now looking at the city of Waregem, because there appears to be a shortage of childcare places in the region. “Only a few parents have managed to find a solution for a new childcare facility. However, dozens of parents failed in their search for a new childcare facility and are now at a loss. Vigorous short-term actions by the Minister of Welfare Hilde Crevits and the city of Waregem are urgent and essential to immediately eliminate the problems for parents and their children.'”