Childcare becomes more expensive: parental contribution indexed by 4 percent

In 2024, childcare will become more expensive for around 100,000 families, it is reported The last news. The parental contribution is indexed by 4 percent.

Next year, parents will have to pay between 6.24 and 34.64 euros per day. The monthly minimum invoice for full-time childcare increases by 5.2 euros for the lowest incomes. For the highest incomes, there is an increase of 29 euros, which amounts to 756.19 euros for full-time care of one child.

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According to Minister of Welfare Hilde Crevits (CD&V), the increase is a result of the general increase in lifespan. “We understand parents’ concerns about rising prices. Once a year, parents’ contributions to income-related childcare are indexed, but this also happens with the intervention of the government that the daycare centers receive,” she tells HLN.

According to Crevits, the cost of the parental contribution only covers 20 percent of the cost price. “It is therefore not true that the government is not doing anything,” he said.

“This is laughing at the hard-working Flemish,” responds Vooruit chairman Conner Rousseau. “Prices are rising again by 4 percent. Last year by 10 percent. In just over a year, the Flemish government made childcare more expensive by 14 percent. Who can still afford that?”, Rousseau responds. “In September, the Flemish government announced cheaper childcare with lots of bells and whistles. And the first thing they do is make childcare more expensive again.”