As of 1 January 2025, Dutch childcare professionals will need to meet new language requirements designed to enhance the quality of care and support children’s language development. These updated regulations ensure that allprofessionals working with children have adequate language skills to provide a strong foundation for learning and development.
The IKK (Innovation and Quality in Childcare) language requirement specifies that daycare and toddler careprofessionals must demonstrate oral language proficiency in Dutch at level 3F (B2). This level, comparable to MBO4,includes speaking, listening and conversing effectively. A lower language requirement of level 2F (B1), equivalent to MBO2-3, is sufficient for employees working in after-school care. To meet the IKK language requirement, employees can present diplomas or certificates obtained before 1 January 2025, as long as these qualifications align with theChildcare Collective Labour Agreement.
Exceptions and special cases
Certain groups of childcare professionals are exempt from meeting the IKK language requirements or are givenextensions to comply. Employees aged 60 or older on 31 December 2024, have until 1 January 2028, to meet thestandards. Professionals absent for more than eight consecutive weeks during the second half of 2024 – for reasons such as illness, vacation or other forms of leave – are granted an additional six months to achieve compliance.
Trainees and interns, including those enrolled in MBO or HBO training programs, are not required to meet the language requirements during their education or internships.
Furthermore, employees working exclusively in multilingual or Frisian-speaking childcare environments are evaluated differently. Those speaking Frisian with children must demonstrate level B2 proficiency for daycare and toddler care or level B1 for after-school care. Similarly, professionals working in foreign-language childcare, such as English, Germanor French-speaking environments, must meet equivalent language standards in the relevant language rather than Dutch.
Focus on preschool education
In preschool education (VE), the language requirements are stricter. Professionals in this setting must demonstrateproficiency at level 3F in oral and reading skills. This ensures that children enter primary school with a robust language foundation, critical for their future academic success. Unlike other childcare settings, the exemptions and extensions granted to daycare and after-school care professionals do not apply to VE staff.
Implementation and workforce impact
According to research by the central government, approximately 95% of childcare professionals already meet the new language requirements. Employers have actively supported employees by providing training and resources to ensurefull compliance by the deadline. Those who still need to meet the standards are being offered further support, including reassignment to roles within after-school care, which has less stringent requirements.
The new requirements have introduced some stress among employees and managers, particularly for individuals whoface challenges in meeting the standards. However, fostering a shared responsibility within organisations and aligning testing methods with practical childcare scenarios have proven effective in reducing stress and ensuring compliance.
The role of language in child development
State Secretary Jurgen Nobel emphasised the critical role of language in a child’s lifelong development. ‘Good languageskills among pedagogical professionals are essential for offering children a rich language environment,’ he stated.
Initially proposed in 2017, the language requirement was delayed from 2023 to 2025 to allow childcare organisations more time to prepare, particularly given labour shortages and high workloads in the sector. Relaxations introduced in 2024, such as reduced requirements for after-school care staff and extended compliance timelines for certain professionals, aim to balance quality standards with workforce retention.
Looking ahead
Introducing these language requirements marks a significant step toward standardising quality in Dutch childcare.While most professionals are expected to meet the requirements by the deadline, the government has implemented flexibility measures to support those needing additional time or training. These efforts aim to ensure that children across the Netherlands receive high-quality care that fosters their language development and prepares them for a successful transition into primary education.
Written by Nicole Bea Kerr