The Family Unit within the Department for Family and Social Affairs of the Ministry of the German-speaking Community is responsible for the recognition and subsidisation of facilities, as well as for quality assurance and inspection of service providers and individuals working in childcare. 

The direct organisation and implementation of early childhood care, education and upbringing for children under the age of three is the responsibility of various individuals, private companies, non-profit organisations, as well as one institution of public interest.

The Centre of the German-speaking Community for Childcare (ZKB) is the largest childcare service provider in the German-speaking Community. The Centre has the legal status of an institution of public interest and, as of 1 January 2024, has taken over all childcare activities of the former non-profit organisation Regional Centre for Infant Care. 

The ZKB includes:

• a childminding service: It offers care places in all nine municipalities of the German-speaking Community and currently employs 47 childminders. These childminders are either recognised as conventioned childminders or employed as home-based child carers by the Centre. Care always takes place outside the child’s home, in the private premises of the childminder.
• Nurseries: The ZKB operates three nurseries: in Eupen, Hergenrath and St. Vith. The nursery in Eupen offers 26 care places; St. Vith has a capacity of 30 places (with an expansion planned, which will increase the number of available places); in Hergenrath, 42 places are available.
• Co-initiatives: These are collective childcare structures for up to 12 infants. Currently, the ZKB operates several co-initiatives in different municipalities: “Talfüchschen” in Kettenis, “BromBären” in Eupen, “Galmeibümchen” in Kelmis, “Villa Kunterbunt” in Eynatten (3 locations), “Dorfzwerge” in Walhorn, “Treesche Krabbelmäuse” in Manderfeld (until the end of 2025), and one co-initiative in Büllingen.

Self-employed childminders are recognised by the Minister responsible for the German-speaking Community. The ZKB provides support and guidance to self-employed childminders. These childminders care for children in their own private homes, while self-employed co-childminders may join together in pairs or trios to work in rented premises (however, each childminder continues to care for “their” own group of children).

Self-employed childminders define their own fees and working hours. 

Unlike subsidised service providers, they are not required to apply prioritisation criteria and may freely choose which children to care for. 

In general, infant care operates on a ratio of 1 to 6. However, the intake capacity varies between providers (see above). 

The nurseries and co-initiatives of the ZKB offer care for 50 hours per week. Currently, ZKB nurseries are open from Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

The Mini-nursery "Bambuschkitz", run by the non-profit Bambuschkitz of the municipality of Amel, is even open for 60 hours per week – Monday to Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Post Minis location of the non-profit Kleinkinder Ostbelgien offers care from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Self-employed childminders set their own schedules and closing days. Care may also be provided at night, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Childminders employed by the ZKB are subject to the rules of the public service regarding weekly working time (38 hours) and paid leave. Their working hours are determined in consultation with their supervisors.