Local Childcare and Early-Learning Providers
![Children participating in outdoor activities.](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/Fj4Oy05_eSuniR-RmSO1EnE52sf3EwElls1pMZrD2QY/resizing_type:fit/width:960/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL2t1bWEtbGVpZGVuL3VwbG9hZHMvbWVkaWEvNjIxNGYxMjVhNDdkMy9hY3Rpb24tYWN0aXZpdHktYm95LTI5NjMwMS5qcGc.jpg)
There are many options for daycare and early learning providers in the Leiden region. Learn more about them here.
Daycare in Leiden
Daycare is for children aged 3 months to 4 years. After their 4th birthday, children may start school - although this is not compulsory until they are 5. There are several options for daycare including childminders (gastouders) and nurseries/daycare centers (kinderdagverblijf).
For further information on the different types of child care in the Netherlands, please see our Childcare Explained page.
![Mother and child on a windowsill.](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/11Mn5VtOW2aeyOUfHaQfjjFpik_FV6-OgBlA91YuD1A/resizing_type:fit/width:640/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL2t1bWEtbGVpZGVuL3VwbG9hZHMvbWVkaWEvNjIxN2E2Njc4NTM2MS9hZG9yYWJsZS1hZmZlY3Rpb24tYmFieS0xMjU3MTEwLmpwZw.jpg)
Childcare Providers in the Leiden Region
Playgroups
There is a playgroup in the north of Leiden called De Gouden Poort. Children can attend from 2 to 4 years. There are 2 groups: a Tuesday/Thursday group and Wednesday/Friday group (from 8.00 to 13.30). In addition, it is possible that children can attend on a third day (Monday). Please note though that in this context the 'Vrij' (free) refers not to the cost but to the style of play.
De Gouden Poort website![Child with painted hands.](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/0FC-qG1WFec2uKVSWOmSNSCq-yKbjQ2U6hrEziQ_qGc/resizing_type:fit/width:640/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL2t1bWEtbGVpZGVuL3VwbG9hZHMvbWVkaWEvNjIxNGVhNmYyNjk4YS9jaGlsZC1iZW5lZml0LmpwZw.jpg)