How to Read a GGD Daycare Inspection Report
Plain-English decoder for international parents: what "voldoet" and "voldoet niet" mean, how to find your daycare's public reports, and why the focus is on stability, not perfection.
You've heard that Dutch daycare is inspected regularly by the GGD (municipal health service), and you want to check your provider's results — but the report is a PDF full of Dutch jargon, domain headings, and columns labeled "voldoet" and "voldoet niet." What does it all mean, and should you be worried if something says "voldoet niet"? This is a calm, practical decoder for international parents: how GGD inspections work, how to read the report structure, what the system is looking for, and where to find your daycare's public inspection results.
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Last updated: 20 August 2026
The report that looks scarier than it is
GGD inspection reports are designed for professionals and regulators, not parents — so they're full of numbered criteria grouped by domain, technical wording ("pedagogisch klimaat"), and binary pass/fail columns. For international parents who don't speak fluent bureaucratic Dutch, they can look alarming even when everything is fine.
The truth is that the Dutch daycare inspection system is designed to catch systemic problems — unsafe facilities, chronic understaffing, neglect — not to penalize providers for minor lapses or one-off mistakes. A single "voldoet niet" (does not meet standard) on a specific criterion usually triggers follow-up, not closure. The report is a tool, not a verdict. This guide decodes it.
How to find your daycare's public inspection reports
All registered Dutch childcare providers (LRK-registered) must publish their GGD inspection results publicly. Here's how to find them.
Go to the LRK website
landelijkregisterkinderopvang.nl
The Landelijk Register Kinderopvang is the official national database. Go to landelijkregisterkinderopvang.nl and use the search bar to find your provider by name, address, or LRK registration number (on your contract).
Open your provider's page
Provider details
Click through to the provider's detail page. You'll see basic info (address, contact, capacity) plus a section for inspection reports (inspectierapporten). If the provider has multiple locations, make sure you're looking at the correct one.
Download the latest report
PDF format
Inspection reports are published as PDFs, usually labeled by date (e.g., "Inspectierapport 2026-03-15"). The most recent report is the current status; older reports show history. Download and open it — it's typically 5–15 pages of tables and checkboxes.
- Reports are updated after each inspection (usually annually or every 18 months for stable providers)
- If a provider has serious issues, the GGD publishes follow-up reports showing whether problems were fixed
- You can compare reports from different providers to see relative quality
Decoding the report structure
A typical GGD inspection report has a standard structure. Here's what each section means and where to focus your attention.
Header: provider info and inspection date
The top of the report shows the provider's name, LRK number, address, inspection date, and inspector name. Check that this is the correct location and a recent date — reports older than 2 years may be outdated.
Criteria table: the main body
The bulk of the report is a table listing the inspection criteria, grouped by domain (Pedagogisch klimaat, Personeel en groepen, Veiligheid en gezondheid, Accommodatie, Ouderrecht en klachten), with three columns: the criterion name (e.g., "veilige omgeving"), whether it was inspected this time ("getoetst"), and the result ("voldoet" or "voldoet niet"). This is where you'll see most of the checkboxes. Not every criterion is inspected every time — the GGD rotates focus areas.
"Voldoet" vs. "voldoet niet" — what they mean
"Voldoet" (meets standard) = the provider is compliant on this criterion. "Voldoet niet" (does not meet standard) = the provider fell short on this specific point during this inspection. A single "voldoet niet" does NOT mean the daycare is unsafe or about to be shut down — it means the GGD flagged an issue that requires follow-up. The provider must submit a corrective action plan, and the GGD checks back later to see if it's fixed.
Toelichting (explanation/notes)
Below the criteria table, the inspector usually adds a text section ("toelichting" or "bevindingen") explaining any "voldoet niet" marks in plain language: what was observed, why it didn't meet the standard, and what the provider needs to do. This is the most readable part of the report for non-Dutch-speakers (though still in Dutch — use a translator if needed).
Conclusion and follow-up
The final section states whether the provider received any sanctions (very rare), whether a follow-up inspection is scheduled (common if there were "voldoet niet" marks), and when the next routine inspection is planned. If the conclusion says "geen direct risico" (no immediate risk), you can breathe — the GGD isn't worried about child safety.
The inspection domains — what inspectors look at
The GGD groups inspection criteria into a few domains. Here are the main ones and what they cover.
Safety (veiligheid)
- Physical safety: gates, electrical outlets, sharp corners, toxic substances out of reach
- Fire safety: smoke detectors, evacuation plan, fire extinguishers accessible
- Hygiene: clean diaper-changing areas, handwashing stations, food safety
- This is the highest-priority dimension — "voldoet niet" here usually triggers immediate follow-up
Staff (personeel)
- Qualifications: staff have required diplomas (pedagogisch werk niveau 3 or 4)
- Ratios: enough staff per child (beroepskracht-kind-ratio, e.g., 1:4 for babies)
- Screening: all staff have a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct) on file
- Continuity: enough "vaste gezichten" (consistent faces) so children see the same mentors regularly
Pedagogy (pedagogisch klimaat)
- Emotional safety: mentors respond warmly, children are comforted when upset
- Age-appropriate activities: play materials match developmental stages
- Structured daily rhythm: predictable routines (arrival, meals, naps, outdoor play)
- This dimension is softer and more subjective — "voldoet niet" here often means "could improve," not "urgent problem"
The GGD's focus is stability and safety, not nitpicking every detail. Small lapses (one smoke detector battery dead, one staff member's VOG renewal pending) are noted but rarely escalate unless they're chronic or numerous.
When to worry (and when not to)
A single "voldoet niet" on a GGD report is usually not cause for panic. Here's how to tell the difference between a minor issue and a red flag.
When to pay attention
- Multiple "voldoet niet" marks (5+) across different dimensions — suggests systemic issues, not one-off lapses
- "Voldoet niet" on safety criteria (fire safety, physical hazards, hygiene) — these are taken most seriously
- The conclusion mentions sanctions ("sanctie opgelegd") or a deadline for fixes ("hersteltermijn") — the GGD is escalating
- Repeated "voldoet niet" on the same criterion across multiple reports — the provider isn't fixing chronic problems
When NOT to worry
- One or two "voldoet niet" marks out of 30+ criteria checked — this is common and usually means minor fixes needed
- "Voldoet niet" on paperwork or documentation (e.g., missing signature on a form, outdated policy document) — administrative, not safety-related
- The toelichting says "wordt opgepakt" (being addressed) or "actieplan ingediend" (action plan submitted) — the provider is already fixing it
- The conclusion says "geen direct risico" (no immediate risk) or "vervolginspectie gepland" (follow-up scheduled) — the GGD is monitoring, not shutting down
Frequently asked questions
How often are daycares inspected?
It depends on the provider's risk profile. Stable, well-established daycares with clean records are inspected roughly every 18–24 months. Newer providers or those with previous "voldoet niet" marks may be inspected more frequently (every 6–12 months) until they demonstrate consistent compliance. High-risk cases (serious safety concerns) can trigger unannounced inspections at any time.
Are inspections announced or surprise visits?
Most routine inspections are announced a few weeks in advance, so the provider knows the inspector is coming and can prepare documentation. However, the GGD also conducts unannounced spot checks (especially if there have been complaints or previous issues). The report will state whether it was announced ("aangekondigd") or unannounced ("onaangekondigd").
What if I don't agree with a "voldoet niet" mark?
As a parent, you don't have standing to dispute the GGD's findings directly — only the provider can do that. If you believe the inspection was unfair or inaccurate, you can ask the provider what their corrective action plan is and whether they're disputing the finding. You can also contact the GGD directly to ask for clarification on what the "voldoet niet" means, but the report itself is final unless the provider appeals.
Can I trust a daycare with one or two "voldoet niet" marks?
Usually, yes — especially if the issues are administrative or pedagogical rather than safety-related, and if the provider has submitted a corrective action plan. The Dutch inspection system is designed to catch and fix problems, not to shut providers down at the first sign of imperfection. A clean report with all "voldoet" is great, but a report with one or two "voldoet niet" marks followed by successful follow-up is also fine. Look at the trend across multiple reports, not just one snapshot.
Where can I complain if I have my own concerns?
If you have safety or quality concerns about your daycare, start by talking to the provider directly — most issues can be resolved at that level. If you're not satisfied, you can file a complaint with the GGD (they investigate complaints and may trigger an unannounced inspection). Contact GGD Hollands Midden at 088 622 00 00 or via their website. You can also escalate to the national inspectorate (GGD Kinderopvang) or the Geschillencommissie Kinderopvang (disputes committee) if needed.
Useful links
- LRK (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang) — search for your provider's inspection reports
- GGD Hollands Midden — the inspecting body for Leiden (088 622 00 00)
- Rijksoverheid — quality requirements for childcare (in Dutch)
- Geschillencommissie Kinderopvang — disputes committee for unresolved complaints
- Teddy Kids — contact us if you have questions about our own inspection reports (info@teddykids.nl)
About this guide
This guide is for general information and reflects how GGD/LRK daycare inspections work in Leiden (GGD Hollands Midden) as of mid-2026. It is not legal or regulatory advice, and Teddy Kids is a daycare provider, not an inspectorate — we cannot interpret GGD findings or dispute reports on your behalf. For questions about a specific inspection report, contact the GGD directly or consult the provider named in the report. Always check the LRK website for your provider's most recent inspection results, as older reports may not reflect current status.
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