Out-of-school childcare center in Zolder closes after 33 years

Lieve Deferm and Jos Deferm must close their out-of-school childcare center in Zolder, Belgium, on January 1, 2027.

The couple has provided a home-like environment for hundreds of children in the Heusden-Zolder region for over three decades. The closure follows a legislative reform in Flanders that shifted the management of childcare for children aged 3 to 12 entirely to cities and municipalities.

Because the couple's center does not meet the specific requirements for small-scale baby care, the organization FERM stated that the facility is no longer suitable to continue under the new framework. Although the couple attempted to adapt the location to meet these requirements, the transition was deemed too demanding. Parents of the children who attended the center expressed disappointment over the sudden change. Some parents even contacted the cabinet of Flemish Minister Gennez to request that the facility remain open.

The center specifically served children with conditions such as autism and ADHD, and parents now face uncertainty regarding where to find inclusive care for their children.