Childcare in Netherlands *URGENT*

[ShellySara]

Hello,

I need some urgent advice please before tomorrow morning as this is the sticking point of being offered a dream job in Netherlands.

Can anyone advise on the availability of childcare, what the waiting lists are like, etc. Obviously I understand that the super fantastic nurseries are going to have a waiting list of years, but for an average nursery in an average town, whats it like?

Also, can anyone give me an idea of a ballpark figure for a nursery place? Also, what would a ballpark figure be for a live-out nanny?

Also, what about using an au pair as childcare?

Obviously, if I get the job then I will register for a nursery place or a nanny share (which is the most preferable option for me), but any advice appreciated, I just really need to find this info out for tomorrow.

Many thanks
Michelle

You could have an au pair plus,m basically an EU citizen who wants for some unfathomable reason to learn Dutch (like me). I think this kind of care is still completely unregulated. You'd also be saddled with a live-in au pair, which might be okay, it might not... Would you be intending the au pair to have FT sole-charge or cover the before/after nursery dilemma? You can get registered nannies and childminders - I think fees are comparable to the UK. I went for a nanny job in the Netherlands (live in though) offering 8EUR/hour.

There's not really any such thing as an average town in the Netherlands! This is because most places are within commuting distance of everywhere else...but this tends to mean childcare provision is very good.

For formal childcare the standard is excellent, very open, lots of Montessori places. If you go for a state registered place then I think you get some kind of childcare benefit. Apparently, however, nurseries are more expensive than childminder-types.

Try somewhere like Expatica or Angloinfo for more information. Angloinfo often has listings of agencies for comparison purposes!

Thanks Frannikin! Will get trawling now I have managed to get litlun to sleep (so half an hour or so!!!) Much appreciated.

Hiya, where in the Netherlands will you be moving to? My close friend has a 4 months old dd in Amsterdam and has good contacts for childcare. She's just returned back to work and has set up a childminder for her dd. Let me know if I can help.

How old is your child? They start state school's at an early age over in the Netherlands - like most of mainland Europe. Whereabouts are you going to be?

My DD's nursery costs 290 euros per month for each day, she is at a Kinderopvang Humanitas nursery. Humanitas have nurseries and after school care in most towns and villages, a list here. They are a well respected organisation.

It's usually easiest to get a place for Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays than other days. If you like I can give them a ring and ask about the availability of places in the area you are wanting to go to.

Children start school as soon as they are 4, regardless of the time of year.

I live in Amsterdam. Monthly, my DS nursery costs 790 EUR for 3 days a week. Based on my part time salary and DH"s good salary the Dutch state pays us 330 EUR of that back. So not bad. You would get the same reimbursement. All the nurseries are reimbursed. You also get reimbursement for a nanny or babysitter, even if it's your Mum or whatever.

for nurseries, I would say the standard of care varies from really bad to excellent. There are long waiting lists for the good nurseries, it doesn't hurt to get their name down right away. It took 7 months to get my DS a place in a good nursery, and he had to go to a less good one for 3 months first. However, it wasn't the end of the world. You could get a nanny/babysitter to fill the gap at first.

In my experience child care is always available and not extortionate here, so I wouldn't worry. It depends where you're going to be. If Amsterdam I can give you at least some ideas.