On April 7, 2025, the UAPE du Bluard, a childcare unit in Morges, Switzerland, announced an expansion that will significantly increase its capacity. Starting from the upcoming school year in August, the facility will add 24 new places, bringing the total number of children it can accommodate to 60. This increase aims to provide care for children before school, at noon, and after school, catering specifically to those in the 4P to 6P classes from the Jacques-Dubochet and Square schools.
The initiative comes at a crucial time as the demand for after-school care continues to rise in the region. To ensure that all children have access to necessary care, students from the 1P to 3P classes at the Jacques-Dubochet, Charpentiers, and Square schools will be managed by the UAPE Jacques-Dubochet. This strategic distribution of resources allows for maximum accommodation of children, reflecting the city's commitment to supporting families.
The expansion is part of a broader effort by the City of Morges to enhance childcare services. By the next school year, the city will boast a total of 309 after-school places and 159 pre-school places. Additionally, 88 pre-school places will be offered by subsidized private structures, further broadening the options available for families in the area.
Meanwhile, in Flanders, Belgium, significant reforms in the childcare sector were approved by the Flemish government during a marathon meeting on the same day. The plan, proposed by Minister of Welfare Caroline Gennez, aims to create 10,000 additional childcare places across the region, with 6,000 of those being subsidized. This ambitious initiative has been met with some controversy within the governing coalition but ultimately reached a compromise.
The Flemish government has earmarked 60 million euros for the construction of new crèches, which are essential for accommodating the growing number of families in need of childcare. The reforms also include a goal to reduce the number of children assigned to each qualified caregiver from 9 to 7 by 2027, enhancing the quality of care provided.
In terms of financial support, the plan includes provisions for 4,000 places with a basic subsidy, ensuring that the cost to parents is manageable and based on their income levels. The reform of parental contributions, which was discussed earlier in February, has been postponed until 2026 to allow for further evaluation and adjustment.
Brussels will benefit from this expansion as well, with 850 of the new childcare places planned for the capital. Out of these, 450 will be additional subsidized places. Cieltje Van Achter, the Flemish Minister in charge of Brussels, emphasized the importance of investing in young families and strengthening the Dutch-speaking childcare offerings in the region.
In addition to the new places, the Flemish government plans to allocate 6 million euros to improve infrastructure in Brussels, which includes funding for new or renovated childcare facilities. This financial investment is crucial for ensuring that the new places are not only available but also equipped to provide high-quality care.
As the demand for childcare continues to grow, both Morges and Flanders are taking proactive steps to enhance their offerings. The expansion of the UAPE du Bluard in Switzerland and the comprehensive reform plan in Belgium highlight a regional commitment to supporting families and ensuring that children have access to safe and nurturing environments.
In summary, the childcare landscape in both regions is undergoing significant transformations aimed at better accommodating the needs of families. As these initiatives unfold, they promise to create more opportunities for children and provide peace of mind for parents seeking reliable childcare solutions.
