The Walloon Government is launching a new 2026-2030 programme aimed at renovating early childhood care facilities and preserving more than 4,500 places currently at risk in Wallonia.
While the shortage of childcare places remains a reality for many families, it is also essential to preserve existing care capacity. A survey of 548 care facilities identified 4,571 places that could be at risk over the next five years, particularly due to compliance issues or outdated infrastructure.
The Walloon Government's new call for projects will support essential works: compliance upgrades requested by ONE, the food safety agency or emergency services, renovation of outdated buildings, as well as the replacement of oil-fired boilers and energy improvements to infrastructure.
This new programme builds on the 2025 Plan Réno urgences, which mobilised €11 million to support 1,292 childcare places. For 2026, a budget of €13 million has been committed. The first selected projects will be presented to the Government as early as October.
For Guillaume Soupart, Member of the Walloon and Wallonia-Brussels Federation Parliament and member of the Childhood Committee, the challenge is twofold: continuing to develop new childcare places, whether public or private, while ensuring the sustainability of existing ones. An essential priority to make daily life easier for families and help everyone better balance work and family life.