Frequently Asked Questions
Registering for childcare can be quite the process. That is why we are here to answer all your questions and support you. Feel free to take a look at our frequently asked questions for possible answers. If your question is not listed here, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to assist you!
Registration and Waiting List
You can register for SamSam online via the website, free of charge and with no obligation. In the online registration form, you specify your preferences. Once we have received the form, you will receive an automatic confirmation from us. Subsequently, our Planning department will contact you as soon as possible to go over the details. Depending on availability at the requested location, we either finalize a contract or put you on the waiting list.
It’s important to know that we usually plan up to about 6 months prior to the desired start date.
At SamSam Kinderopvang, we believe in providing children with a stable environment where they feel safe. Based on our pedagogical vision, we require a minimum enrollment of 2 childcare days per week (1 day may be possible upon consultation). For after school care (BSO), a minimum enrollment of 1 day applies. Flexible childcare is unfortunately not available.
If you’re not sure about the start date or the number of days per week needed when enrolling, it’s advisable to register your child for the earliest possible date and for the number of days you anticipate needing. You can always adjust these details later once you have a clearer picture.
There are various factors involved in placing and scheduling children, including the combination of desired days and start date, the child’s age, and cancellations by children already placed. We always take into account the child-staff ratio. In some situations, certain children are given priority, such as siblings of children already placed. If a spot becomes available, we will contact you to discuss further contract details. We strive to accommodate as many children as possible at SamSam Kinderopvang and will always work with you to find solutions.
Contract and Payments
Contracts cannot be temporarily paused.
All-in after school care contracts include study and margin days, meaning that holidays and study/margin days are covered within the package.
Cancellation is free of charge up to 3 months prior to the start date. If you cancel (partially) within 1 to 3 months before the planned start date, a fee of €250 will be charged. If you cancel less than 1 month before the start date, the full costs of the first month of childcare will be charged.
If you have questions about payments, please refer to our general (payment) terms and conditions. If you need further assistance, please contact us.
Contracts must be terminated via email (to kindplanning@samsamkinderopvang.nl); verbal termination is not possible. A one-month notice period applies for termination. It’s important to also timely cancel the childcare allowance to avoid unnecessary repayments. The contract automatically expires after the child’s 4th birthday.
If you decide to opt for childcare or after school care, you can apply for childcare benefit from de Belastingdienst (tax authorities). Childcare benefit is a subsidy for parents to help cover the costs of childcare. The amount of this allowance is based on the gross household income and the number of children in the family using childcare.
Applying for childcare benefit is the responsibility of both or one of the parents and must be done through de Belastingdienst. SamSam Kinderopvang is not responsible for this.
To be eligible for childcare allowance, certain conditions must be met:
– Dependent children are registered at the parent(s)’ residential address.
– Either you as a parent or your partner pays for the childcare costs.
– Both parents/caretakers work or receive a UWV or municipal contribution under the Childcare Allowance Act.
For more information about childcare allowance or to calculate the allowance, go to the government website.
Exchange days, Closing and Opening Hours
You can request extra days or exchange days via the Konnect OuderApp. The location manager or pedagogical staff can approve the request via the app if there is sufficient space in the group, or reject it if the group size does not allow for an additional child. Parents will be notified accordingly.
SamSam Kinderopvang is open five days a week, 52 weeks a year, from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm (except for our Westerpark and Frederik Hendrik locations, which are open from 7:45 am to 6:15 pm). The after school care (BSO) is open after school hours until 6:30 pm and during study, margin, and holiday days. During study, margin, and holiday days, one BSO opens at 7:30 am and the other at 8:30 am.
At the beginning of the year or during the intake interview, the closure calendar will be communicated via our app. We are closed on our annual study day and on national holidays. On New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve, we close at 5:00 pm. All closure dates cannot be exchanged for another childcare day. The costs for these days are included in the fixed hourly rate.
At The Location
At SamSam Kinderopvang, we mainly work with horizontal groups at our locations. In a horizontal group, children are grouped together with peers of the same age. For example, we have separate baby, toddler, and/or preschooler groups at our locations. Once your baby becomes a toddler or preschooler, they will transition to the next group. A vertical group is found at our Frederik Hendrik (Amsterdam) and Stadshart (Amstelveen) locations. In the vertical group at our Frederik Hendrik location, children from zero to three years old are grouped together. In the vertical group at our Stadshart location, children from zero to four years old are grouped together. Young children grow up alongside older children in the group.
Certainly, we consider it very important that you have a good start at SamSam Kinderopvang. Transitioning to childcare is a big step, and to support you effectively, we always schedule orientation moments. These are arranged by the location manager prior to the start date. Orientation days typically range from 2 to 6 hours per day over approximately 3 days. It’s important to consider this when determining the start date and when you plan to return to work.
If you have any concerns, want to discuss something, or file a complaint, please contact the location manager. We’re happy to sit down with you to find a solution. Often, a personal conversation can help resolve any issues.
If you’re unable to resolve the issue at the location or prefer to discuss and/or file a complaint directly, you can do so via klachten@samsamkinderopvang.nl. Please note that a formal complaint must be submitted in writing.
As a childcare organization, we endorse the importance of following the Dutch National Immunisation Programme. This is necessary to protect children who cannot be vaccinated and babies who are not yet fully vaccinated. At SamSam Kinderopvang, we admit all children to childcare (vaccinated and unvaccinated) and always follow the guidelines of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
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