Pre-school Care & Education
IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
Kinderopvang
Childminding agencies
Peuterspeelzaal
Voorschool
Naschoolse Opvang
Kinderdagverblif
Samenspel
International Schools
Montessori
Introduction
The Dutch education system is very organised and well run, and you will find that there are many options available to you in deciding which is the best care for your child. From Au Pairs or Oppas (Baby sitter) in your home, to outside care in carer's home (gastouder), to playgroups and traditional day-care. All this before starting in the formal school system at four years of age.
Kinderopvang
Kinderopvang is the general description for all forms of childcare in the Netherlands. To search for a centre in your area, look under this description. Contact the Onderwijs Informatiebalie (010 891 4441) to ask about a pre-school near you, or the Rotterdam Gemeentee site, which has an English translation for an overview.
Child minding agencies
As an alternative to outside structured care, you can choose to place your child in another the home of a qualified carer. These carers are called "Gastouders". Gastouders are subject to the regulations of its organisation and background checks are carried out before children are placed in their care. Suitable for children from birth to 12 years of age.
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Peuterspeelzaal
Peuterspeelzaal translates as pre-school play group and is an option for your child if you aren't wanting full day care. Age of the centres is usually from 2 to 4.
The sessions are generally half days (3-4 hours), with a minimum of 2-3 days per week. The payment structure is based on your monthly salary and is government subsidised care. If you have more than one child attending the same centre, the cost of the second child is discounted by 50%. The schools are better suited for parents wanting to give their child an opportunity to socialise with other children, while the parent can enjoy some time child-free.
Dutch is the primary language spoken but there are generally other nationalities of children attending also. Depending on the centre and ability of the teacher, English can be spoken but it will be alongside or in combination with the Dutch language.
To find a peuterspeelzaal in your area, look under Kinderopvang, Peuterspeelzaal in the Goudengids. You will get a complete list of centres by postcode.
Voorschool
Voorschool or Before School is for children from 2.5 to 6 years old, when the child starts school formally. It is a combination of Peuterspeelzaal and the basisschool, which is Grades 1&2 of the primary school system. It is generally attached to a school and the students move into that school environment after completion.
The intention of the Voorschool is to assist children in socialising with their peers, concentration and initial Dutch language lessons, in order to prepare the child for learning in the formal school system. Attendance is four sessions per week.
Naschoolse & Buitenschoolse Opvang
Naschoolse and Buitenschoolse Opvang are organised after school programmes for students aged 4 to 12 years of age. They are an after school club for students aged 4 to 12 years where the environment is intended to be relaxing with free play. Themes of play or activity are organised for older children. They are open full days during the school term and are also available during school holidays. You can apply for your child to attend at extra times outside of the usual days they attend if need be.
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Kinderdagverblif
Kinderdagverblif is full time day care for working parents for children from infant to three years of age. Most are publicly funded but some are private. Almost all will have waiting lists for a minimum of six months so, if you are wanting this form of day care, it would be wise to check out a few places and put your child's name down on the list.
The general opening hours of the centres are between 8am and 6pm, five days per week. Costs range from €60-80,00 per day. All staff are accredited and experienced in early childhood education. Generally, lunch and drinks are provided, although you may be able to arrange with the centre to bring your own if diet is an issue.
Samenspel
Samenspel are play groups which were established for immigrants primarily from Morocco and Turkey and are based on established early childhood development programme principles. It was designed to assist in assimilating into the community. The groups take place in community centres around the Netherlands in the afternoons.
..."Samenspel was established in 1989 as a small-scale project to test strategies for reaching immigrant families, primarily from Morocco and Turkey and to explore ways to encourage mothers with young children to participate in play centres during the afternoons. Training programmes for teams of multi-ethnic play leaders gradually developed. Samenspel groups are active in play groups in community centres and within self help and immigrant organisations".
"Stories we have lived, Stories we have learned", Robert Zimmerman (2004), pp3 'Playing together'
The above book was prepared on the basis of reports received by the many people and groups involved on different continents, including Europe and Netherlands, in early childhood development programmes devised by the Bernard van Leer Foundation.
See also "Effectiveness Initiative (EI)" by the Bernard van Leer Foundation in 1999.
www.bernardvanleer.org
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International schools
While the majority of pre-schools and playgroups in Rotterdam are Dutch speaking, the American International School has a kindergarten or "Pre-K" and Fun-Tazia offers an alternative to the peuterspeelzaal.
American International School
Verhulstlaan 21
3055WJ Hillegersberg
The American International School is a day school. While over 25% of the students are American, there are students from around 30 different countries. It is a private, non-profit school that teaches the US general academic curriculum from pre-kindergarten to high school. French, German, Dutch and Spanish are taught as foreign languages. Although the classes are instructed in English and the school is English speaking, English is taught as second language to other foreign language students.
Fun-Tazia
"Het Baken"
Anthonie van Dijklaan 1
2661TP Bergschenhoek
Fun-Tazia is a privately funded international playgroup. The sessions are in the Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9am until 12 noon. The ages of children attending are from 2-4 years.
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Montessorri
If you are interested in Montessori there are many centres in Rotterdam that you child can attend. The majority are Dutch speaking but dependent on the teacher's ability, English can be spoken.
Montessori De Clipper
Rosestraat 1025, 3071AL
Rytuiweg 1, 3071ZA
Montessori Lyceum Rotterdam
Schimmelpenninckstraat 17, 3039KS
Montessori Peutergroep Kralingen
Mecklenburglaan 47B, 3062EK
Montessori School Kralingen
Vredehofweg 21, 3062EK
Tuinstaad Schiebrook/Terbregge Montessori
Abeelweg 235, 3005EB, Schiebrook
Nieuwerkerk a/d Ijssel Montessori
Schoolstraat 2-4, 2912CR, Nieuwerkerk a/d Ijssel
DeKorf Basisschool Montessori
Korfmakerstraat 80, 3026XJ
DeKleine Prins Rooms, Katholieke Montessori
Prinsenlaan Basisschool
C. Egginkstraat 4, 3066JB
Rotterdamse Montessori School
Esseburgsingel 25c, 3021AN
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