The Netherlands has no formal educational provision for children under the age of four, the age at which they can begin primary school.
Outside the formal education system there are, however, childcare facilities for younger children, such as baby-sitters, nurseries and childminders. Childcare facilities, in the form of out-of-school care, are also available for children of school age.
Childcare policy was transferred from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (het Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid) to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (het Ministerie van Onderwijs Cultuur en Wetenschap - OCW)
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
Rijnstraat 50
Postbus 16375
2500-BJ Den Haag
Tel: (070) 412 34 56
Website: www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ocw
In our ACCESS guide "Childcare and Playgroups", we
compile useful information about Dutch regulations, the different
kinds of care, useful childcare adresses, websites about parenting
and counselling websites.
