If you are moving to the Netherlands with your family, and you have young children, you will want to consider your options when it comes to early childhood education. Childcare in the Netherlands is somewhat expensive in comparison to other European countries, but the quality of care is excellent. Demand outstrips supply, however, so it’s worth looking into your options as soon as possible.
Childcare in the Netherlands
Broadly speaking, there are three main types of childcare for children under the age of four in the Netherlands:
- Daycare centres, for children between the ages of six weeks and four years
- Preschools, for children between the ages of two and four
- Childminders, for children up to the age of four
Alongside these formal childcare options, there are also a range of informal childcare services, like playgroups. Read our page on types of childcare in the Netherlands to find out more.
Attending childcare between the ages of zero and four is not compulsory, but parents can voluntarily enrol their child, for instance if they wish to return to work. When the child reaches the age of four, they have the legal right to education and can start kindergarten at a primary school. From the age of five, school attendance becomes compulsory, and all children will start attending primary school, if they haven’t already.
Early childhood education (VVE)
While the term early childhood education is used in many places around the world as shorthand for the education a child receives before they start primary school, somewhat confusingly in the Netherlands it refers to a special support measure designed to prevent or reduce educational disadvantages.
VVE (Voor- en Vroegschoolse Educatie) is an umbrella term for special publicly-funded early childhood intervention programmes for children between the ages of two and six. The programmes are implemented by preschools and kindergartens, but daycare centres can also apply for funding if they have eligible children enrolled.
Municipal authorities determine which children are eligible for VVE, and referrals to the system usually take place via baby and toddler clinics. Your child might be eligible, for instance, if you do not speak Dutch.
VVE offers play-based education designed to prepare children for primary school, and helps children who might have language delays to get on the same level as their peers.
Childcare providers in the Netherlands
Looking for expat-friendly or bilingual childcare providers in the Netherlands? Our listing of recommended childcare and preschool providers covers cities across the Netherlands, and multiple specialisations, such as English- or German-speaking daycare.
International schools
Many international schools in the Netherlands also offer preschool provision for children as young as three years old. Your child will get prepared for life at primary school through a mixture of play, exploration and learning.
Paying for childcare in the Netherlands
Childcare in the Netherlands is not free. However, the Dutch government does provide a childcare allowance to help parents cover the cost. Currently, parents are expected to pay for childcare upfront and, if eligible, claim a portion of the fees back from the Belastingdienst as the childcare allowance.
The cost of childcare varies, as each centre is free to set its own rates, but you can expect to pay somewhere between 5 and 15 euros per hour, with additional fees possible for meals and so on.
The childcare allowance is a contribution towards the cost of childcare. The maximum hourly rate as of 2024 is 10,25 euros per hour, up to a maximum of 230 hours per month per child. You can find out more on our child benefits page.
The Dutch government currently has plans to simplify the childcare allowance system, so that in future the benefit will be paid directly to childcare providers, with parents asked to cover just 5% of the costs. The new system is expected to be implemented by 2027.