Childcare St. Eustatius

In addition to the statutory quality requirements, childcare organisations must comply with additional quality requirements set out in the Island Ordinance. These can be found here:

Download Island Ordinance Childcare (English & 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 Sint Eustatius adhere to these nutritional requirements. The Healthy food policy for childcare on Sint Eustatius outlines the further general approach to food provision and specifies what is offered to children to promote healthy eating practices.

Nutrition

1. A minimum of 75% of the food and drinks offered to children throughout the week consists of products from the Wheel of Five.
2. Fixed and quiet mealtimes: during every meal, sufficient time is taken to sit down and eat calmly.
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. Allergies and intolerances among children are considered, and corresponding agreements are recorded in writing.
5. Party policy and treats: birthdays are celebrated with fun activities, healthy snacks or small portions of snacks.
6. Recommended portion sizes for different age groups are known and taken into account.

Food and drinks: healthy eating with the Wheel of Five

7. Babies follow their own feeding schedule, which is always coordinated with the parents and in contact with the baby clinic.
8. 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.
9. Fruit is offered daily.
   Examples include fresh or frozen fruit without added sugar.
10. Each hot meal includes vegetables.
    Examples include fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables without added salt or sugar.
11. The hot meal preferably includes whole grains.
    Examples include brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, sweet potatoes, or whole-grain couscous.
12. Snacks include foods that are part of the Wheel of Five.
    Examples include vegetables, whole-grain bread with toppings, whole-grain crackers, yogurt, dried fruit, or a (homemade) fruit ice pop.

Food Hygiene

13. For the safe and hygienic preparation and storage of breast milk and baby formula, the recommendations from the Healthy food policy for childcare on Sint Eustatius are followed.
14. For the safe and hygienic preparation and storage of other foods and drinks, the recommendations from the Healthy food policy for childcare on Sint Eustatius are followed.

Staff members and parents are informed about these requirements regarding healthy nutrition.

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 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.

After the submission of the complete application, the EC requests advice from the Quality Committee and the Inspectorate of Education. The EC has six to eight weeks to respond. If more time is needed to review everything, the applicant is notified accordingly.

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.

The public entity supports childcare organisations, together with local partners, in improving quality. An pedagogue provides pedagogical support to childcare centres and acts as an intermediary between childcare, the expertise centre and parents. Also a pedagogical coach is available to support pedagogical staff in implementing the pedagogical and educational policy plan.

Furthermore, the BES(t) 4 kids office provides information to childcare centres and organises meetings for directors and owners of childcare organisations. The twinning programme with Op Stoom also regularly offers training courses on specific topics, such as employment conditions and pedagogical subjects. Exchange visits also take place. In addition, JOGG (Young People at a Healthy Weight) provides support in offering healthy food and in providing Miffy Moves. Regular training courses at SPW 3 and 4 level are also organised.

In 2026, the BES(t) 4 kids programme will examine if online training courses can be offered for all islands.