Better start for childcare locations thanks to ‘Strict at the Gate’

Since 2017, the Municipal Health Services (GGDs) have been working with ‘Strict at the Gate’. Operators encounter this approach when they want to open a new childcare centre or childminding agency, when relocating, or when there is a change of operator.

How does it work?

The ‘Strict at the Gate’ approach means that the location is examined intensively during the investigation for registration (OVR). More than before, the GGD examines the operator’s policies for the new childcare centre. The idea behind this is that, through stricter inspection before a childcare centre starts operating, only potential operators with sufficient knowledge and expertise are entered in the National Childcare Register (LRK) and can start providing childcare. Naturally, this is all in the interests of parents and children.

Surprising results

The results surprised GGD GHOR Netherlands. “We expected that there would be fewer applications for an OVR and possibly more rejections due to the stricter checks, but the opposite is true. We see that the number of applications remains high and stable, that the number of rejections has not changed, and, above all, that childcare and out-of-school care (BSO) locations have fewer deficiencies both before and after registration. We believe this can be explained in part by the better preparations made by new locations. A very positive development.”

The new procedure before a new location can start is more extensive than before and therefore takes more time for both the operator and the inspector. The investigation after registration, on the other hand, takes less time. Inspectors also identify fewer violations, meaning that less enforcement action is required.

Higher-quality childminding agencies

Childminding agencies are showing a different trend. Here, more violations are being identified during the investigation for registration. In addition, the percentage of positive recommendations for registration is declining. GGD GHOR Netherlands also regards this as a positive development. Thanks to ‘Strict at the Gate’, higher-quality childminding agencies are joining the system. That is what we want. Better childminding agencies mean better monitoring and guidance for childminders.

The evaluation

The evaluation of the ‘Strict at the Gate’ approach consisted of a survey among municipalities and GGDs. In addition, data from approximately 2,000 investigations for registration (OVR) and investigations after registration (ONR) conducted in 2015, 2016 and 2017 were analysed. You can read the full report here. GGD GHOR Netherlands and the VNG plan to conduct this research more often.