Education and childcare in The Hague region
The Hague is regularly named as one of the best placed in the Netherlands to raise children: thanks to a combination of education, child-friendly neighbourhoods, culture, and access to nature and open spaces.
There are lots of types of schools available in the region. These include:
- International Schools funded by the Dutch government
- Independent International Schools
- Foreign International Schools (for example The British School in The Netherlands)
- Dutch state funded schools
Generally, parents and children are very well supported in the Netherlands, and the Dutch educational system is one of the highest-rated in Europe for attainment. Luckily for international parents, The Hague region has the largest selection of international schools in the country.
In the Netherlands both parents may take time off for childcare (both post-birth and as the child grows up), and there are multiple benefits paid by the Dutch government to parents that can help with, for example, childcare costs.
Tips for finding schools
Daycare and preschools
Dutch daycare centres accept children between the ages of 6 weeks and 4 years (the age at which children start with primary school in the Netherlands). Qualified teachers supervise children in play. They provide basic instruction and care for the children, feeding them and giving them an opportunity to take a nap.
If you would like your child to be taken care of during the evenings and weekends, you can also utilise the services of a qualified nanny, au pair, or babysitting service.
As with schools in The Hague region, there are a huge number of services to choose from!
