Shortage of childminders: “Desperate parents phone us”

There are now 161 childminders in our province, compared to 190 in 2015. The causes are mainly retirement, termination and the poor image of a childminder in recent months. Also in out-of-school nurseries, approximately 1 in five vacancies are still unfilled. “Desperate parents are calling us,” it sounds.

Figures childminders:

• 2005: 240 childminders
• 2015: 190
• 2021: 170
• Mid 2022: 161

They can only provide places in Koekelare from spring 2024, while pregnant women are now looking for a place for May/June 2023.

Figures out-of-school nurseries

There are also shortages in out-of-school nurseries. Normally there are 86 supervisors, now they have 15 open vacancies. 17 volunteers are also needed, now 5 are short.