Childcare Bonaire

Download Concept Island Ordinance Childcare Bonaire (Dutch)

It is essential to provide children with healthy nutrition to contribute positively to their overall development. For this reason, daycare centers and out-of-school facilities on Bonaire have to adhere to these nutritional requirements. These requirements specify how food and hygiene are handled within the organisation and what children should be offered. The nutritional requirements support the statutory duty of the Public Entity of Bonaire in the area of healthy nutrition. From 1 July 2026, these requirements will be used during inspections.

Nutrition

1. Day-care centres and after-school care centres inform all employees and parents about their healthy food policy (food and drink).
2. Children are given time to sit quietly when they eat or drink. During meals and drinks, children and employees do not use phones or tablets, and the television is turned off.
3. Childcare staff act as role models: they eat together with the children, provide guidance during meals, and demonstrate healthy eating behaviors in the presence of the children.
4. The recommended portions from the Childcare Guidelines: Nutrition and Food Hygiene <LINK> are used for meals. Children are encouraged to eat these portions, with attention to when someone has had enough (feeling of satiety). No food is forced on anyone.
5. Water is available to the children throughout the day.
   Examples include (chilled) water, infused water with fruit, vegetables, or herbs without added sugar, or (cold) unsweetened tea.
6. Fruit is offered daily. Examples include fresh or frozen fruit without added sugar.
7. Every day, the children are given a varied hot meal.
8. Each hot meal includes vegetables. Examples include fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables without added salt or sugar.
9. Whole grains products are used in the hot meal at least twice a week. Examples include brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, sweet potatoes, or whole-grain couscous.
10. Children are given a healthy snack from the Wheel of Five at least four days a week. Examples include vegetables, whole-grain bread with toppings, whole-grain crackers, yogurt (without fruit flavouring/added sugars), dried fruit, or a (homemade) ice lolly (without added sugar).
11. Children’s allergies and intolerances are taken into account. Agreements about this have been made in writing with the parents.

Hygiene when preparing food

12. Breast milk is used in accordance with the recommendations in the ‘Childcare Guidelines: Nutrition and Food Hygiene’.
13. Bottle feeding is carried out in accordance with the recommendations set out in the ‘Childcare Guidelines: Nutrition and Food Hygiene’.
14. For the safe and hygienic preparation and storage of other foods and drinks, the recommendations from the ‘Childcare Guidelines: Nutrition and Food Hygiene’.

An operating permit is required to start a childcare location. You must apply for this permit in writing with the Public Entity, addressed to the Executive Council. This also applies if you want to  change any of the details in the permit. You must enclose the following information and documents with the application:

• A copy of the business permit
• In case of a sole proprietorship: name, address, telephone number and proof of registration with the Chamber of Commerce (not older than three months)
• In case of a legal entity: names, addresses, dates of birth of the directors / board members, a copy of the articles of association, proof of registration with the Chamber of Commerce (not older than three months) and, if applicable, a copy of the shareholders register
• Proof of registration in the population register of the applicant and employees, and a copy of residence permits and/or visa
• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) for the applicant and employees, not older than three months
• The maximum number of children and the age of the children per day part
• The maximum number of professionals per day part
• Opening and closing times
• The (intended) address of the childcare location
• The pedagogical and educational policy plan of the childcare location
• The step-by-step plan Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Protection Code of the childcare location.
• The health and safety policy of the childcare location
• A map of the childcare location (with dimensions of the indoor and outdoor areas)
• The proof of payment for the administrative fees

The Executive Council (EC) decides whether you are granted the permit. Therefore the EC seeks advice from the Quality Committee. The EC also asks the Inspectorate whether the childcare location complies with the rules laid down in the law. The Quality Committee issues an overall opinion and the EC makes the final decision.

The application procedure usually takes approximately two months. This period starts once all documents have been submitted. If any documents are missing, the applicant is given four weeks to submit them. The procedure can only officially start once everything is complete. If the applicant does not submit the required documents within four weeks, the application will not be processed.

The applicant receives a letter with information about the procedure.

• If the application is complete, the Executive Council requests an advice from the Quality Committee and the Inspectorate within two weeks. They issue their advice within four weeks.
• The Executive Council then makes a decision within two weeks.
• Sometimes more time is needed. In that case, this period can be extended once by a maximum of two weeks. The applicant is informed about this.

A permit is granted for an indefinite period.

• The permit is for a specific person or organisation and is only valid for the location for which it was applied.
• The permit cannot be transferred. If the name on the permit changes, this must be reported in writing to the Public Entity.

The front page of the permit must be displayed in a clearly visible manner at the location. It must state the name and address of the permit holder and the board of directors, the type of childcare and the maximum number of children (with the age) that can be cared for.

Childcare organisations and host parents on Bonaire can count on various forms of support. This assistance is intended to enhance the quality of childcare and offer children a safe, development-oriented and stimulating environment. Below you can read where organisations can go for help and what kind of assistance they can receive.

Pedagogical support – AKSESO / Childcare Quality Care Team
Childcare centres and host parents can contact AKSESO’s Childcare Quality Care Team with all their pedagogical questions. The pedagogical coaches guide and support organisations in strengthening the pedagogical climate. They offer, among other things:

• On-the-job coaching
• Advice on the pedagogical policy and how to translate this into practice
• Support with pre-school education (VVE) and stimulating development
• Training and professional development
• Observation of challenges in daily childcare practice

This support helps organisations to provide high-quality childcare and to continuously develop their approach.

Second-line support – Expertise Centre for Education & Care (EOZ)
Some children need extra support. In such cases, the Expertise Centre for Education & Care (EOZ) offers second-line support to childcare organisations. EOZ can help with, among other things:

• Observations of children
• Recommendations for action for pedagogical staff
• Support for the pilot project with plus groups
• Guidance with complex development and care issues

Please note: Referrals to EOZ and the sharing of data can only take place with the consent of parents, in accordance with privacy legislation. This always takes place via AKSESO.

Questions or need support?
Childcare organisations can contact AKSESO – Childcare Quality Care Team directly for pedagogical support, guidance and advice.