Crisis and cuts hit demand for childcare

The economic crisis and cuts in subsidies for childcare have led to a 25% drop in demand for places at pre-school daycare centres, RTL news reports.

The broadcaster says figures from the childcare association show a 10% drop in demand so far this year. This comes on top of a 15% reduction in 2012.

The increase in childcare costs has led parents to search for cheaper alternatives and mounting unemployment is also having an effect on demand for places, the organisation said. Thousands of jobs may be at risk.

Bankruptcy

The situation is particularly acute in northern Groningen and Limburg, where the population is shrinking, and in disadvantaged areas in the bigger cities.

In January it emerged that cuts in the childcare budget led to six times as many bankruptcies of childcare centres last year compared with 2011.

In 2011, 12 pre and after-school daycare centres went bankrupt. Last year the figure reached 73. In addition, 400 of the 2,200 centres are in financial difficulty, the AD said.

Cuts in the childcare budget led to six times as many bankruptcies of childcare centres last year compared with 2011, the Algemeen Dagblad reports, using figures from the Chamber of Commerce.

In 2011, 12 pre and after-school daycare centres went bankrupt. Last year the figure reached 73. In addition, 400 of the 2,200 centres are in financial difficulty.

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