Childcare

Frequently asked questions

Questions about childcare

  • ​Special education preschools are kindergartens or daycare centres with a special education programme. There is a considerable focus on language, as well as on your child's social, physical and creative development. The children play games, draw, sing, play outside, listen to stories and talk about them with each other.

    Special education preschool is intended for all children aged 2 to 4 years. Following the birth of your child, you will attend the well-baby clinic (consultatiebureau) at your local Parent and Child Centre (Ouder- en Kindcentrum, OKC). The doctor or nurse will also talk to you about your child's language and other development. If there is a chance that your child might have a language deficiency, you will receive a special education preschool indication during the visits at 11, 14 or 18 months of age. The OKC can provide you with information about the special education preschools in your area. Children with such an indication will attend special education preschool for four part days a week. Children with no such indication, can attend preschool for two part days a week. Would you like more information? Please click here.

  • Yes, it is. You can then choose a nursery with pre-school education. In fact, there are two types of pre-school in Amsterdam:

    • half-day childcare. You bring your child to the nursery with a pre-school programme for several half-days a week;
    • full-day childcare. You bring your child to the nursery for full days and the pre-school programme is incorporated into the full day.

    You can check with the different pre-schools to see what they offer.

  • Een deel van de kosten van de voorschool betaalt u zelf. Hoeveel u moet betalen, hangt af van uw inkomen. Heeft u recht op kinderopvangtoeslag dan kunt u dit aanvragen bij de Belastingdienst. Kijk op de website www.belastingdienst.nl/toeslagen. Als u geen kinderopvangtoeslag krijgt, betaalt de gemeente een deel van de kosten ter hoogte van de kinderopvangtoeslag voor max 16 uur per week. Dit regelt de voorschool voor u. Wilt u weten hoeveel de voorschool u kost, doe dan de rekensom [https://www.amsterdam.nl/onderwijs-jeugd/voorschool/rekensom/].

  • Pre-school is good preparation for primary school. At pre-school, children play and learn together. They practise language, they sing, draw and move"

  • All Amsterdam toddlers aged between 2 and 4 can attend pre-school. Most children attend pre-school for 16 hours a week.