Toddlers with language deficiencies will be able to attend child daycare centres at lower rates, owing to a new subsidy by the Education Ministry.

Instead of the usual tariff of 645 euros a year, considered too expensive by many parents, they will only have to pay 105 euros. Attending daycare centres is thought to improve children's linguistic abilities through guided play and learning.
 

Deputy Education Minister Sharon Dijksma is setting aside 20 million euros for the support measure. She says too many children arrive at primary schools with insufficient language skills because their parents found preschool daycare too costly.
 

The measure will be implemented at local authority level, rather than centrally by the ministry.

(NOS, ANP. Stock photo)