CHILDCARE

1. Intro
2. Full childcare
3. Preschools
   Peuterspeelzalen
   English-speaking option

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Preschool

Peuterspeelzalen

Preschools (Peuterspeelzalen - literally 'toddler play rooms') are preschools for 2 to 4 year olds. I would warmly recommend sending any international child to your nearest PSZ, as they provide structured social interaction and play activities for little ones, and are a great preparation for school. The schedules vary: the sessions are either 3 or 4 hours, and some are mornings only, whereas some also have afternoon sessions. Some are also flexible about how many days the child can attend, whereas others have specific regulations. Most teachers speak a little English (and many speak other languages as well) to help them understand you and your child, but most international children pick up quite a bit of Dutch very quickly in such an environment. In fact, a new system has been introduced to help children whose language is in need of a bit of extra support, and these children receive extra coaching, and may get a free day.

The Peuterspeelzaals in Leiden are all owned by Stichting Peuterspeelzaal Leiden (SPL): your best bet is to find your nearest and ring up and make an appointment to have a look round, and then fill out the form. You can register your child from birth, and there are usually waiting lists, but it is worth remembering that some PSZ and some days are more popular than others, so if you can be flexible you may well get a place sooner. Payment is state subsidized and therefore varies according to your household income. For example, if your household income is 2,000 euro per month, 4 days a week at a 3-hour speelzaal would cost around 110 euro per month.

A second child attending at the same time as his/her sibling pays only 1/3 of the cost of a first child. The charges are calculated automatically from the information given by you when you register for a place.

Some PSZ require you to send your child with some fruit for snack time, which will be shared with other children: others provide everything there. You will need to provide nappies and/or clean underwear and a change of clothes, although they do mostly have spares for emergencies.

The Peuterspeelzaals in Leiden are:

De Ballon Louise Hardenbergsingel 4 2331 BR Leiden Tel: 071 5315895 Duimelot Damlaan 2a 2332 XH Leiden Tel: 071 5768212 Floddertje Middelstegracht 85 2312 TT Leiden Tel: 071 5144133 Review: Small but very loving psz with one group of around 12 children for two leaders. Lots of activities, craft, singing etc. Daily 8.45-12.45, no fixed day combinations. The 3 main leaders, Lenet, Nefissa and Anneke are exceptionally lovely and full of ideas and enthusiasm. Several international children. Fruit etc provided at snack time. De Glijbaan Burggravenlaan 17a 2313 HM Leiden Tel: 071 5121331 Gouden Poort Maresingel 19 2316 HA Leiden Tel: 06 25313672 't Rozenpoortje Vestestraat 39-49 2312 ST Leiden Tel: 06 21390790 Review: These two are both anthroposophic, which means they only use natural materials and have a particular approach to education. Daily 8.30 - 12.30, but there are fixed day combinations, and Monday is only for children who have been attending for a long time. Lots of craft projects, also parents to do at home. Long waiting list. Groen Knollenland Slachthuislaan 25 2316 DE Leiden Tel: 071 5236062 Kakelbont Noord Ambonstraat 28a 2315 GH Leiden Tel: 071 5211920 Kleine Urt Herenstraat 64 2313 AM Leiden Tel: 071 5146637

't Klinkertje Dudokpad 1 2321 CW Leiden Tel: 071 5766246 Knuffel Zaanstraat 126 2314 XH Leiden Tel: 071 5898326 Kweenie Trix Terwindtstraat 4 2331 GW Leiden Tel: 071 5312541 Peutercentrum Kwetternest Eksterpad 2 2317 KN Leiden Tel: 071 5210430/071 5284777 Peutercentrum De Mors Topaaslaan 19 2332 JC Leiden Tel: 071 5763726 Peutercentrum Noord Bernardkade 40 2316 RX Leiden Tel: 071 5231289 Olleke Bolleke Oppenheimstraat 2313 JE Leiden Tel: 071 5131061 Ot en Sien Pieterskerkchoorsteeg 15 2311 TR Leiden Tel: 071 5148892 't Piraatje Kortenaerstraat 61a 2315 TL Leiden Tel: 071 5210093 Peutercentrum De Kooi Driftstraat 49 2315 CD Leiden Tel: 071 5225912 Steffie Ant. Kleynstraat 10 2331 DV Leiden Tel: 071 5321390 Peutercentrum Zuid-West Boshuizerlaan 5 2321 SG Leiden Tel: 071 5313689/071 5289162 Peutercentrum Merenwijk Valkenpad 1 2317 AN Leiden Tel: 071 5234226

English-speaking options

• Rijswijk English-speaking playgroup
  Laboucherelaan 1
  Rijswijk
  Tel: 070 390 3995
  E-mail: alison.zegers@planet.nl
  
  This is a private not-for-profit organization run by a very nice British woman with primary school training, Alison Zegers. It has three sessions a week, Monday 9.15 - 12.15, Wednesday 9.15 - 12.15 and Thursday 12.00 - 14.30. They take English-speaking children aged 2 to 5 (as some of the international schools start at 5 rather than 4).
  
  
• Elckerlyc - Leiden International Primary School
  Klimopzoom 41
  2353 RE Leiderdorp
  Phone: +31 - (0)71 - 589 6861
  Website: www.elckerlyc.net
  
  There is an English-speaking kindergarten class attached to the Elkerlyc International Primary School, which takes children aged 3-4. This is seen as part of the school, so is for children who will then be attending Elkerlyc school. See the 'schools' section of this website.The fees for this school are in the region of 3,000 euro per year, irrespective of income.