Childcare FAQ

Here a you find general information, facts and questions regarding childcare and playschools in The Hague, with useful addresses.

How can I see whether a childcare centre is officially registered?

All childcare centers and host parents need be registered with the Municipality of The Hague’s Kinderopvangregister. Only once a childcare center is registered can parents receive an allowance from the National Tax Authority (Belastingdienst). The municipality regularly inspects all registered childcare centers in The Hague. You can visit the Kinderopvangregister and read the inspection reports (in Dutch). 

Do childcare centers pursue an educational policy?

All playschools, childcare entrees and centers for after school care must have an educational policy demonstrating the teaching principles and philosophy upon which the program is founded. Parents naturally have clear ideas on this so it's strongly recommended that parents carefully review these policies before making a choice so their child will feel at home and the parents will feel at ease with the care the centre provides. The New Dutch Act on Child Care (Wet Kinderopvang) ensures that parents have a say in their child's care.

What is the complaints procedure?

The Care Institution Complaints Act (Wet Klachtrecht Zorginstellingen) applies to childcare centers and playschools as well as other institutions, and ensures that all institutions have clear guidelines on dealing with parental grievances. If you have a complaint, first discuss this with the management of the centre. Most complaints are easily remedied at this point. If this isn't effective, however, contact the Regional Complaints Committee with which all childcare centers in The Hague are associated.

Minimum performance and quality requirements for childcare centers and funding are laid down in the New Dutch Act on Child Care (Wet Kinderopvang). The Childcare Supervision section of the municipal Education, Culture and Welfare Department supervises compliance with the regulation. If you feel a centre is not properly complying with the regulations, then contact the centre's management. If this does not solve the problem, you should take up contact with the Childcare Supervision Department (contact information below).

When should you apply for childcare?

Playschools (Peuterspeelzaal)

Generally when your child turns 2, expecting placement at age 2.5 years. Some of the more popular playschools may have waiting lists.

Childcare centres (Kinderdagverblijf)

Children aged 0-4 can be registered at any time, but here you should heed a strong warning: apply as soon as you know you are pregnant! Siblings often get preferred treatment from the same centre, but don't wait around if you have specific needs. Placement from six weeks of age.

After school care (Naschoolse Opvang)

Six months prior to the child reaching primary school age (4 years of age voluntary school attendance, 5 years of age compulsory school attendance). Placement from 4 years.

What happens when children are ill?

Because of the risk of infection, sick children are not allowed in the playschools, childcare centers or after school care centers. Please notify the centre if the child is ill, especially if it's infectious.

Important Addresses

Dienst Onderwijs, Cultuur en Welzijn

(Education, Culture and Welfare Department)

Productgroep Jeugdgezondheidszorg

(Youth Healthcare Group)

Afdeling Toezicht op de Kinderopvang

(Childcare Supervision Department)
Municipality of The Hague
Postbus 12562
2500 DP The Hague
Telephone: (070) 353 72 24

Productgroep Onderwijsbeleid

(Education Division)
Municipality of The Hague
Postbus 12562
2500 DP The Hague
Telephone: (070) 353 55 94