While following an integration programme, immigrants are faced with a structural child care shortage.

There is a structural shortage of child care for persons following an integration programme. The usual facilities already have a shortage of places available. In addition, persons following an integration programme have other child care requirements when it comes to duration and flexibility than offered by the usual child care facilities. Local authorities must therefore look into alternative forms of child care.

The child care is provided by professional child care teachers from a child care institution, assisted by at least one or more mothers from the neighbourhood (volunteers), with the same background as the targeted oldcomers. The child care complies with the minimum safety requirements and with the rules governing nursery schools and short term child care.

The oldcomers respond positively to the care on offer, demand is such that on average 12 children are attending the child care facility.  Between 5 and 15 children attend the facility, depending on the size of the space and the needs of the oldcomers.

City of Zoetermeer
C. Copinga, tel. +31 79 3468593

31/07/2002

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Social services