Early Childhood Education

Preschool education starts at the playgroup level (peuterspeelzaal) or at daycare (kinderopvang) from the age of two years.

Each child is entitled to attend two mornings per week, with each morning consisting of three hours. Some locations also offer three hours in the afternoon. These six hours per week are subsidized, and the price depends on the parents’ income. The child can attend the playgroup more often than two times a week, but the price for additional days is higher.

For parents whose children do not speak Dutch or are being raised bilingually and who plan to stay in the Netherlands long term, the Early Childhood Education programs (Voor-en Vroegschoolse Educatie, VVE) might be of interest. These programs are intended for all children, but they are especially suitable for children who do not speak Dutch (well) or who need extra support.

The VVE programs are given by trained pedagogical staff and are focused on language skills, thinking, physical development, and social-emotional development. The pedagogical staff members regularly consult with the child’s paediatric nurse (jeugdverpleegkundige) at the consultatiebureau (child health clinic).

A playgroup with a VVE program is also called a pre-school (voorschool); this program normally starts from the age of two-and-a-half or three.

If the child goes to primary school, the programs continue in groups one and two. It is then called Early Childhood Education (vroegschoolse educatie).

Playgroup subsidy and VVE subsidy

If you are not eligible for childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag), you might be eligible for a municipal playgroup subsidy (peuteropvang subsidie).

If your child has an Early Childhood Education (VVE) indication from the consultatiebureau, and you receive childcare benefit, you may be eligible for a supplementary subsidy (VVE subsidie).

For more information on these subsidies, please contact your daycare organization and/or municipality directly.

More information can be found (in Dutch) on the following websites:

Gemeente Groningen (pre-school and early education subsidies)

Gemeente Assen (subsidies for toddler care)