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CHILDCARE

1. Introduction
2. Full childcare
   Creches
   Early years teacher
   Nannies
3. Preschools

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Introduction

If you are seeking childcare, the first decision is whether to go for Dutch or English-speaking. The options for the former are naturally much more varied, and it is of course a great step towards getting really involved in life here. Leiden does not boast many non-Dutch childcare options; the Hague has much more to offer on that front. Many of the leaders (leidsters) at day nurseries here, though, can speak fair-to-middling English (or French, or more!) and can help you or your child if you are getting stuck.

Childcare in the Netherlands runs from tiny babies (many Dutch women return to work when statutory maternity leave ends around ten-twelve weeks) up to four years, as children normally start school at the age of four - literally the day after their fourth birthday. International schools may have different programmes; for example, the Elcerlyc international school in Leiderdorp has a nursery group for three-year-olds. Although formal learning is not mandatory before the age of five, crèches will not normally accept four-year-olds in daycare for more than a month or so after their birthday, so you may find yourself semi-obliged to send your child to school at that point.

If you require full childcare, the options are crèche (day nursery, daycare centre), oppasmoeder or gastouder (childminder) looking after your child in her home, or a 'nanny' at your home. These are described in the Full childcare section.

If you just want your child to spend some time with other children in a pre-school environment, there are peuterspeelzalen (pre-schools, playgroups), for children aged 2-4. These are usually a few hours a few mornings (or afternoons) a week; read more here. Informal toddler groups (at a play centre of some kind, where the parents stay around) such as tend to spring up in the UK seem to be thin on the ground in this country, perhaps because of the excellent peuterspeelzalen .

Childcare subsidy

In the Netherlands, if both parents are working (and freelance work counts) then you are eligible for a contribution towards your childcare. Depending on how much you earn, this can be very substantial, although be aware that there have recently been swingeing cuts in this (as in all areas these days) and this subsidy is not what it once was. Nonetheless this is definitely not something you should miss out on, and details - in Dutch - can be found on www.toeslagen.nl . If you need help filling in the (Dutch) forms, and red tape being what it is here you may well need help, then I suggest you first ask your crèche or childminder themselves for help, or your tax adviser if you have one through your work. There is also a specifically English-speaking company which can help you find childcare and sort the financials out (at a price, naturally): www.blueumbrella.nl . HomeinLeiden has heard good things about them; they are apparently very nice and efficient.

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