Social Medical Indication (SMI) childcare
Are you not entitled to childcare allowance from the Belastingdienst, but your child needs childcare for medical or psychological reasons? In that case, you may be entitled to temporary financial support for childcare costs. The allowance is called a ‘Social/Medical Indication’ (SMI).
Are you unwilling or unable to apply online?
Download and complete the document Social Medical Indication Childcare (PDF, 99,69 KB). Send the document by post to the City of Leeuwarden. You can also hand it in at the Town Hall.
What happens after your application?
Someone from the local authority will contact you within 6 to 8 weeks for an intake interview. You will receive a letter from us once there is enough information to make a decision. This letter tells you whether the City of Leeuwarden will pay part of the childcare bill for you. Are we paying for part of your child’s childcare? If so, your child can attend childcare. This way, you avoid additional costs. This arrangement applies only to now and the future, not the past.
How often can your child attend childcare with an SMI?
The letter states how often your child may attend childcare.
- Child from 0 to 2 years. Is your child aged 0 to 2 years? If so, your child can attend day care for a maximum of 6 half-day sessions.
- Child from 2 to 4 years. Is your child aged 2 to 4 years? If so, your child can attend day care for a maximum of 4 half-day sessions.
- Child aged 4 or above. Is your child 4 years or older and attending primary school? If so, your child can attend out-of-school care for a maximum of 3 half-day sessions.
The local authority employee determines the number of half-days.
What will you be charged?
The cost of childcare can change every year. The maximum hourly rates for 2025 are:
- Day care €10.71
- Extracurricular care €9.52
- Childminder service €8.10
Calculation of the personal contribution
The personal contribution is based on your income and the Tax Administration’s childcare allowance table. The cost of your children’s care is based on the maximum hourly rate set by the Tax Administration. If your childcare provider charges a higher hourly rate, you will have to pay the extra cost yourself. You will find the maximum hourly childcare rate reimbursed by the Tax Administration and the childcare allowance table on the website of the Belastingdienst.
The childcare organisation will deduct your personal contribution from your account monthly from the childcare start date onwards.
Childcare organisation waiting lists
Bear in mind that there may be a waiting list at the childcare organisation. Check with the childcare provider when a place is available for your child. An SMI does not give priority on the waiting list.
Are you unwilling or unable to apply online?
Download and complete the document Social Medical Indication Childcare (PDF, 99,69 KB). Send the document by post to the City of Leeuwarden. You can also hand it in at the Town Hall.
What happens after your application?
Someone from the local authority will contact you within 6 to 8 weeks for an intake interview. You will receive a letter from us once there is enough information to make a decision. This letter tells you whether the City of Leeuwarden will pay part of the childcare bill for you. Are we paying for part of your child’s childcare? If so, your child can attend childcare. This way, you avoid additional costs. This arrangement applies only to now and the future, not the past.
How often can your child attend childcare with an SMI?
The letter states how often your child may attend childcare.
- Child from 0 to 2 years. Is your child aged 0 to 2 years? If so, your child can attend day care for a maximum of 6 half-day sessions.
- Child from 2 to 4 years. Is your child aged 2 to 4 years? If so, your child can attend day care for a maximum of 4 half-day sessions.
- Child aged 4 or above. Is your child 4 years or older and attending primary school? If so, your child can attend out-of-school care for a maximum of 3 half-day sessions.
The local authority employee determines the number of half-days.
What will you be charged?
The cost of childcare can change every year. The maximum hourly rates for 2025 are:
- Day care €10.71
- Extracurricular care €9.52
- Childminder service €8.10
Calculation of the personal contribution
The personal contribution is based on your income and the Tax Administration’s childcare allowance table. The cost of your children’s care is based on the maximum hourly rate set by the Tax Administration. If your childcare provider charges a higher hourly rate, you will have to pay the extra cost yourself. You will find the maximum hourly childcare rate reimbursed by the Tax Administration and the childcare allowance table on the website of the Belastingdienst.
The childcare organisation will deduct your personal contribution from your account monthly from the childcare start date onwards.
Childcare organisation waiting lists
Bear in mind that there may be a waiting list at the childcare organisation. Check with the childcare provider when a place is available for your child. An SMI does not give priority on the waiting list.