How does the Dutch school system work? What are the childcare options in the Netherlands? Learn all about relocating to the Leiden region with your family.
If you have moved to the Netherlands with your family, or are planning to do so, you are faced with specific challenges and questions. Depending on the age and needs of your child you might have to arrange childcare, enrol them in a school, and make the best arrangements for them to grow healthy and happy.
On this page you will find answers to all your questions about:
Schools & Education
The philosophy behind the Dutch education system reflects the mentality of the Dutch society as a whole and aims to encourage students to live and learn in an open-minded and creative manner. Generally, schools in the Netherlands offer high-quality education.
The Dutch school system
Compulsory education (leerplicht) in the Netherlands applies to all children aged 5 to 16, or until they have a diploma. Due to this obligation, schools will not give parents permission to take children out of school outside of official school holidays. Homeschooling is also not permitted.
More information on internationalisation in Dutch education by Nuffic
Education in the Netherlands consists of the following levels:
- Daycare, preschool (not compulsory) [link]
- Primary Education / Elementary Education (basisschool; age 4 - 12) [link]
- Secondary Education (VMBO, HAVO, VWO; age 12 - 16/17/18) [link]
- Tertiary Education: [link]
- Senior Secondary Vocational Education (Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs - MBO and company schools)
- University of Applied Sciences (Hoger Beroepsonderwijs - HBO)
- University (Universiteit, Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs - WO)
The Dutch education system also includes special needs schools, at both primary (Speciaal basisonderwijs, SBO; speciaal onderwijs, SO) and secondary (VSO) levels.
Family Support
What support is available for families in the Netherlands? Depending on what your needs are, you will be able to access various services from the Dutch government or at a local level.
Child benefits
The Dutch government can help cover the costs of childcare. There are three sources of money for parents: Child benefit, child budget and childcare allowance.
Home-Start Support
Home-Start is a volunteer initiative that supports families who are experiencing a difficult phase in family life and parenting: trouble with children, little contact with family or friends, divorce or finding a balance between family and work life. The organisation is active in Leiden, Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest, Voorschoten and Zoeterwoude. Home-Start offers a sympathetic ear, a helping hand with the children, advice and attention for families with children till the age of 18 and from 3 months pregnancy. Trained volunteers provide informal support in English and sometimes other languages, some being internationals themselves or having experienced living abroad.
For more information
Children with special needs
If your child has special needs, they might be able to enrol in a special needs school. However, it is important to note that there are limited options for non-Dutch speakers and it might be difficult to get the right support for your child. We therefore strongly advise to thoroughly research what options are available for your child before planning to move to the Netherlands.
Extra support for families is available through organisations such as the Centrum for Jeugd en Gezin
Parent groups in Leiden
Peer support from other parents is always important, more so if you have recently moved to the Netherlands from another country. You can meet other parents through school and daycare, but there are also groups you can check out.
- Facebook group Leiden mamas
- Parents group in Leiden Mamacafé Leiden
- Parents group in Voorschoten Voorschoten Toddlers
- Vogelwijk's International Playgroup in Leiden
Activities for Children - What to do in your free time with your children? There are many activities to discover in the Leiden region with your family.
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Visit the Young Rembrandt Studio
Visit the Young Rembrandt Studio
Meet the young Rembrandt in a beautiful 7-minute 3D video experience in the house where...
until 21 March 2027
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Dutch Classes for Children Information Session
Dutch Classes for Children Information Session
Your children are starting school but don't speak Dutch? Learn more about International...
weekly
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Boxie, a Playful Museum Adventure
Boxie, a Playful Museum Adventure
Ready to explore the museum in a fun and different way? Pick up Boxie for free at the e...
weekly
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Time for Papua
Time for Papua
Visit Time for Papua: an impressive presentation of 400 objects, selected from the worl...
until 3 January 2027
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Plants & Planets
Plants & Planets
In Plants & Planets you will travel through time and space: from the Big Bang to th...
until 7 February 2027
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Exhibition Hanuman travels across the globe
Exhibition Hanuman travels across the globe
The exhibition Hanuman travels the world can be found in the gallery of the Asia hall o...
until 29 August
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The forest of Suriname
The forest of Suriname
Naturalis has a new exhibition: The Forest of Suriname. Discover the nature of Suriname...
until 2 May 2027
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Holiday at Museum De Lakenhal
Holiday at Museum De Lakenhal
Throughout the entire holiday, there is plenty to do for everyone, but especially for f...
until 30 August
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Waterland Boerhaave
Waterland Boerhaave
Waterland Boerhaave is a scientific playground in the monumental courtyard of the museu...
until 25 October
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Workshop Raksha Bandhan
Workshop Raksha Bandhan
The Wereldmuseum Leiden is hosting a workshop for the Hindu holiday Raksha Bandhan at t...
9 August, 16 August and 2 more days
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Kinderkring
Kinderkring
Every Wednesday morning from 9.30 to 11.00 h. you are welcome to join the Kinderkring....
weekly
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Activities for kids in Milieu Educatief Centrum Leiderdorp
Activities for kids in Milieu Educatief Centrum Leiderdorp
The Milieu Educatief Centrum in Leiderdorp organises activities for kids every Wednesda...
weekly
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Reading to Kids in Spanish
Reading to Kids in Spanish
The BplusC library offers free reading sessions to kids in Spanish, this occurs every 4...
monthly
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BplusC
BplusC
The BplusC libraries in Leiden and Leiderdorp organise activities for children of all ages, from 0 to 18! There are also special books collections by ages, and reading out loud sessions in different languages. BplusC also offers music lessons for children.
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Bibliotheek Voorschoten-Wassenaar
Bibliotheek Voorschoten-Wassenaar
The library in Voorschoten offers activities for children from 0 to 18, as well as a large collection of books for all ages. Books, music, art, theatre, children can engage with culture in many different ways!
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Milieu Educatief Centrum
Milieu Educatief Centrum
Open every Wednesday, at the Milieu Educatief Centrum in Leiderdorp your child can have fun while learning about nature and the environment.
Our Partners in Childcare and Education
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Webster University
More information about Webster UniversityAmerican Liberal Arts education with an emphasis on global citizenship.
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Young Expat Services
Find out about Young Expat ServicesHelp for international families to find the best-fit Dutch or international schools (preschools and daycares) and navigate admissions.
