VILVOORDE – The city of Vilvoorde has announced the launch of a new childcare system aimed at centralizing before- and after-school care in its primary schools.

This initiative replaces the previous model where individual schools independently managed their own childcare services.

Mayor Hans Bonte, along with Alderman Jo De Ro, stated that centralization will alleviate the administrative burden on schools and teachers, who are not primarily responsible for childcare.

The plan, developed over several years, organizes nearby schools into groups, allowing children from different schools to attend designated facilities for morning and after-school care.

This approach is intended to optimize the use of resources such as staff, space, and educational materials, thus providing a more efficient system.

Three professional organizations will oversee the new childcare services.

The city has emphasized the importance of maintaining appropriate child-to-supervisor ratios to ensure adequate supervision and support for children's development.

Additionally, a language policy is included in the program to aid in the language development of children in the multilingual environment of Vilvoorde.

The newly structured system aims to standardize the quality and organization of childcare services across the city, ensuring that all families have equal access to high standards of care.

By introducing a uniform fee structure, the city aims to eliminate previous inconsistencies in childcare costs that varied by school network.

The fixed pricing model is designed to promote fairness, ensuring that all families, irrespective of the school their children attend, pay the same rate for services.

In an effort to enhance accessibility for low-income families, the city will provide financial support, allowing for discounts of up to 40% on childcare fees.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to make childcare affordable and accessible for those in need.

Sophie Lucas, director of Catholic Education Vilvoorde Machelen-Diegem, expressed her support for the new childcare plan, highlighting it as a testament to successful collaboration between schools and local authorities.

She emphasized that the partnership is centered on addressing the needs of both children and parents, aiming to ensure high-quality care in a safe environment.

The new system is positioned to benefit families by allowing schools to focus more on educational tasks, which is expected to enhance the overall school experience for children.