More than 2,000 children have lost their places in nurseries since 2020, according to FEMAPE (Federation of Early Childhood Settings).
"This is unprecedented. Crèches are closing every week and it’s not about to stop," Marie Deboot, a childminder in Namur and spokesperson for FEMAPE, told La Dernière Heure on Friday.
"It’s become complicated for everyone: independent and subsidised crèches alike. It is estimated that since the crisis, home-based childminders are paid an average of €5 per hour, compared to €7 before 2020. Who is still working for such amounts? The running costs are enormous and after all the necessary deductions, there is nothing left," she laments.
She also points out that because of the lack of places, parents register at several places and don’t necessarily think to notify the other nurseries when a place becomes available.
"During that time, the crèches have reserved a place and a child cannot be replaced at a moment's notice. It's just becoming an impossible situation. We understand the parents' reasoning, but for us, there are significant financial consequences," the spokesperson continued.
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FEMAPE also points to the reform of childcare settings, which it believes is responsible for many closures.
The Wallonia-Brussels Federation Government adopted an emergency measure last month to mitigate the situation. "If the government wants to resolve the issue, it must adopt a new approach," says Marie Deboot.
