Does everyone in your Childcare organisation meet the language requirement that will come into effect on 1st January 2025? The Childcare Language Coalition calls on organisations to arrange this quickly. If action is not taken, according to 'Kinderopvang Werkt!', approximately 1 to 2 percent of the staff are at risk of leaving the sector or becoming less employable. This means a loss of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 employees. But that is not all, because it is not yet clear whether another 20,000 employees will meet the language requirement.

Despite all their efforts, it transpired that just before the summer, forty percent of organisations still did not meet the language requirement. According to the coalition, it is “almost midnight”: without adequate action, the possible loss of employees - in combination with the already high staff shortages - will have major consequences for the quality of childcare. According to the Language Coalition, it is vital to act now.

Tools and support

The Childcare Language Coalition wants to support organisations to get things in order in time. The coalition, formed by Kans², STE Languages, UvA Talen, NLvoorelkaar and Randstad, offers a combination of inventory, customised training, language tests and guidance. For example, UvA Talen offers tests, while NLvoorelkaar makes volunteers available as language buddies. With Kans² and STE Languages, the coalition has selected language providers. With the help of the tools and support offered, childcare organisations can ensure that their staff meet the 3F level and therefore that the quality and continuity of childcare is guaranteed.

Language Requirement IKK Check

Kinderopvang Werkt! initiated the Language Requirement IKK Check earlier this month, which provides childcare organisations with quick and efficient insight into which employees meet the language requirement and where additional support is needed. This helps organisations to take targeted action and ensure that employees meet the requirements on time.

From 1st January 2025, all pedagogical staff in day care and toddler care must meet the new Language Requirement IKK, which requires that they have oral language skills at a minimum language level 3F (B2 level). According to research by Kinderopvang werkt!, it is likely that 1 to 2% of the staff will leave the sector or will be less employable due to not meeting the 3F language requirement, which amounts to a loss of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 employees. This is worrying, but in addition, 20% of the employees have not yet been identified and it is uncertain whether they will meet the language requirement. This concerns approximately 20,000 employees, who may also lose their full employability. All in all, the sector is at risk of a significant loss of staff as a result. In September 2024, there were 3,834 vacancies, an increase of 41% compared to September last year, which further underlines the importance of this deadline. Source: Kinderopvang.nl

Every step of the process

Tamara Petter, Programme Manager Childcare at Randstad, emphasises: “Much is already being done, but we need to accelerate now and we see that childcare organisations and talent can use all the help they can get. With the Childcare Language Coalition, we support childcare organisations at every step of the process, from inventory to testing. By acting now, organisations ensure that their talent is well prepared for the deadline and meets the requirements. Acting in time is essential to retain talent and prevent greater staff shortages.”