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For many parents, combining work and family is a top priority, and arranging childcare in the Netherlands can require careful planning. For some locations, waiting lists for childcare are long, so we recommend to take action as soon as you accept a job offer.  

Below is a summary of key childcare options and guidance to help you navigate the process: 

Childcare options in the Netherlands 

1. Peuterspeelzaal (Preschool, toddler group) 
   • Designed for children aged 2 years and 3 months–4 years. 
   • Focuses on early education and social interaction in a playgroup setting. 
   • Offers play sessions 4-5 days a week, typically lasting 4-6 hours each.  
2. Kinderdagopvang (Daycare) 
   • Available for children from 0–4 years old. 
   • Provides a safe and stimulating environment for your child’s development. 
   • You can opt for a full-day care (some daycares offer a half-day). 
3. Buitenschoolse opvang (BSO: pre- and after-school care) 
   • For school-aged children (4-12 years) attending primary school. 
   • Covers care after school hours and during school holidays. Some locations also offer care before school hours.
   • Schools often partner with established daycare centers to provide after-school care.  
   • If the care centre isn’t within walking distance, transportation may be arranged depending on the location and the organization.
4. Gastouderopvang (Host parent) 
   • A home-based care option. 
   • Typically offers more flexibility and a smaller group size. 

Steps to arrange childcare 

1. Start early 
   • Waiting lists can be long in some locations. Begin researching and registering as soon as possible after accepting a job or knowing your desired childcare start date. At the on-campus daycare Korein, you can register without any obligations. So if you later decide to choose a different daycare, that’s no problem. 
2. Explore options online 
   • Search for the desired type of childcare in your area, such as 'kinderdagopvang Eindhoven'. Good to know that there is an on-campus daycare, named . 
   • Most providers allow you to register online, but some organizations may apply conditions if you do not take the offered place.
3. Contact directly 
   • If you’re not familiar with Dutch or require more detailed information, contact the childcare providers directly. Some organizations, like Korein, now provide their websites in English.
4. Consider on-campus daycare 
   • An , named Korein, for children aged 0–4 years. We recommend registering early.

Support and resources 

You may qualify for the (Childcare Benefit), a government subsidy to offset childcare costs. To qualify, both you and your allowance partner must be working or studying. Peuterspeelzaal is income-based and therefore available to everyone. It does not entitle you to the childcare subsidy anyway, so families with a stay-at-home parent usually choose this option. 

You can find on the Holland Expat Center website, including two organizations they partner with. Good luck finding the right childcare solution for your family in the Netherlands! We hope you find exactly what you need.