How to Read a GGD Daycare Inspection Report
A practical decoder for international parents: what "voldoet" and "voldoet niet" mean, where to find public reports, and how to read findings and follow-up.
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.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
Reading the findings and follow-up
GGD inspection reports contain numbered criteria grouped by domain, technical wording (such as "pedagogisch klimaat") and results such as "voldoet" and "voldoet niet". For international parents, the format can make the findings hard to understand. Start with the explanation of what the inspector observed.
A "voldoet niet" means a requirement was not met at that visit. One serious issue can matter; the number of marks does not tell you whether a location is safe. Read the finding, the provider's response and any municipal follow-up. The municipality decides on enforcement measures following GGD advice.
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 labelled by date (for example, "Inspectierapport 2026-03-15"). A report records the findings at that visit; older reports show the history. Download the latest report and check for later follow-up reports or municipal decisions.
- Each KDV/BSO receives at least one unannounced GGD visit a year; additional visits can occur
- If a provider has serious issues, the GGD publishes follow-up reports showing whether problems were fixed
- Compare inspection dates, scope and findings when looking at different providers
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, then look for the latest annual report and any follow-up reports.
Criteria table: the main body
The report lists inspection criteria grouped by domain (Pedagogisch klimaat, Personeel en groepen, Veiligheid en gezondheid, Accommodatie, Ouderrecht en klachten). Look for which requirements were examined and the results ("voldoet" or "voldoet niet"). Not every requirement is examined at every visit, so check the scope of this particular inspection.
"Voldoet" vs. "voldoet niet" — what they mean
"Voldoet" means the provider met the requirement that was examined. "Voldoet niet" means it did not meet that requirement at the visit. Read the explanation of the finding, the provider's response and the GGD's advice to the municipality. One serious issue can matter, even if all other examined requirements were met.
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 conclusion summarises the findings and the GGD's advice to the municipality, which decides on enforcement. Read the provider's response and check for subsequent municipal decisions or follow-up reports. Wording such as "geen direct risico" (no immediate risk) describes the assessment in context at that visit; read the explanation alongside it.
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
- For safety findings, read the observed risk, required action and any follow-up
Staff (personeel)
- Qualifications: staff have required diplomas (pedagogisch werk niveau 3 or 4)
- Ratios: for a group of only babies under one, 1 professional per 3 babies; mixed-age groups use the legal BKR calculation
- Screening: VOG requirements and registration in the Personenregister Kinderopvang for continuous screening
- 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)
- Pedagogical findings also matter: read the explanation and what needs to be put right
A report records the findings at that visit. Read the issue, the provider's response and any municipal follow-up; its importance depends on what was found, not on a generic example or the number of findings.
Understanding a finding and its follow-up
Read each finding in context. One serious issue can matter; the total number of "voldoet niet" marks is not a safety test. These questions help you understand what was found and what happened next.
When to ask further questions
- An issue that could affect children's safety or wellbeing, even if it is the only finding
- Safety findings involving fire risks, physical hazards or hygiene: ask what has been done and checked
- A municipal enforcement decision or a hersteltermijn (deadline for remedying the issue): check what it requires
- Repeated findings on the same requirement: ask how the provider has addressed them and check later reports
What to check first
- Which requirement was not met, and what the inspector observed
- How documents and policies relate to the issue; paperwork can also affect safety
- What the provider says it has changed, and whether later evidence confirms the issue was resolved
- The GGD's advice, any municipal action and the outcome of follow-up
Frequently asked questions
How often are daycares inspected?
Each KDV/BSO receives at least one unannounced GGD visit a year. Additional inspections can take place, for example to follow up findings or quality and safety signals. Check the LRK page for the latest annual and follow-up reports.
Are inspections announced or surprise visits?
Routine GGD visits are usually unannounced, and each KDV/BSO must receive at least one unannounced visit a year. Read the report for the type and scope of that particular inspection.
What if I don't agree with a "voldoet niet" mark?
Ask the provider to explain the finding and its response, and contact the GGD if you need clarification of the report. For questions about a municipal enforcement decision, contact the municipality about the applicable procedure.
Can I trust a daycare with one or two "voldoet niet" marks?
The number of findings alone cannot answer that question. Read what each finding concerns, the provider's response and any municipal follow-up; one serious issue can matter. Later reports can show whether a problem was resolved. Ask the provider or GGD about anything you do not understand.
Where can I complain if I have my own concerns?
For an individual complaint, use your provider's complaints procedure first. If it remains unresolved, contact Klachtenloket Kinderopvang for advice and mediation, then the Geschillencommissie Kinderopvang for a dispute. You can also report quality or safety signals to GGD Hollands Midden on 088 308 34 60 or through its childcare inspection page. The GGD uses signals in supervision; the municipality decides on enforcement following GGD advice.
Useful links
- LRK (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang) — search for your provider's inspection reports
- GGD Hollands Midden — childcare inspection and quality/safety signals (088 308 34 60)
- 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.