Costs of education
As a parent, you do not pay tuition fees for your child's primary school. However, the school may ask for a voluntary parental contribution for extra activities.
Voluntary parental contribution
The voluntary parental contribution is always optional and may vary from school to school. The contribution is used for extra facilities and activities outside the regular curriculum, such as school trips, parties, cultural excursions, or additional teaching materials. The school guide states what the parental contribution is for.
School supplies
The supplies that a primary school pupil needs to buy can vary depending on the school and grade. They may include a school bag, lunch box, water bottle, gym equipment, pens, and pencils. The school communicates these supplies at the beginning of the school year.
Laptop or tablet
Most primary schools have their own laptops or tablets that are used by children during school hours; these are owned by the school. In some cases, schools provide laptops to students, for which they may ask parents for a voluntary contribution. This varies from school to school. For more information on this topic, check the school guide.
Costs for lunchtime school care (TSO)
Your child can stay over at lunchtime at the primary school. Every school must organize this lunchtime school care (TSO) if parents request it. You pay a contribution for this. However, most of the schools have a continuing programma with an half hour break in the middel. In this case there's no TSO-fee.
Costs for out-of-school care (BSO)
Out-of-school care (BSO) is care before and after school, on days off, and during school holidays. As a parent, you pay for the cost of the BSO. However, you may be able to get some of the cost back through the childcare benefit.
As a parent, you do not pay tuition fees for your child in secondary school. However, the school may ask for a voluntary parental contribution for extra activities.
Voluntary parental contribution
The voluntary parental contribution is always optional and may vary from school to school. The contribution is used for extra facilities and activities outside the regular curriculum, such as school trips, parties, cultural excursions, or additional teaching materials. The school guide states what the parental contribution is for.
Parents may also be asked to pay for participation in school trips abroad, (international) sports events, and bilingual exams subject to participation.
School supplies
Schools provide most textbooks and learning materials to their pupils free of charge. However, students are expected to take good care of textbooks by covering them. In addition, schools inform parents what other books and learning materials they need to purchase themselves, such as a book bag, atlas, dictionaries, calculator, exercise books, pens, pencils, gym equipment, etc.
Laptop or tablet
Schools can ask parents or guardians to purchase laptops but may not require them to do so. Schools must ensure that all pupils can participate in the full curriculum, even when (part of) this program is digital. If parents are unable or unwilling to pay for a laptop, the school must provide a full alternative, for example, by offering a loaner laptop. The school may request a voluntary contribution from parents for this.
School transport costs
The secondary school may be further away from the residential address. In the Netherlands, children usually cycle to school. If children use public transport to get to school, the cost is for the parents. Compensation can be requested through the municipality to apply for transport for children who need to be accompanied by public transport to school.
Application process
Once you have decided on a primary school that suits your preferences and that you think suits your child's needs, it is advisable to contact the school and inquire about the application process.
What you need to know if you want to enroll your child in primary school:
- Contact the school of your choice and inquire about the application process. In some municipalities, the schools have made agreements on the distribution of children among the schools. Sometimes, your child must attend school in their neighborhood (depending on the postal code). Sometimes, there is a draw or provision for siblings to attend the same school.
- Register your child for a primary school after they turn 3 or at least 10 weeks before they turn 4.
- You may not register your child before the age of 3.
- Remember that a primary school may not have space or may have a waiting list. Therefore, it is advisable to inquire with your preferred school whether they have availability or a waiting list.
- When registering, you must provide your child's citizen service number (BSN). Bring your child's birth certificate or proof of identity for this. If your child does not yet have a BSN, bring proof of deregistration from the municipality.
Would you like to register your child at a Secondary Education (VO) school of your choice? You must register your child during the central registration week. Are you moving or coming from abroad, and does your child need to attend a new secondary school? Then, you can register your child throughout the year.
Would you like to register your child at a secondary school? Then consider the following:
Check the secondary school's website and inquire about the application procedure. In some municipalities, school boards have made agreements on the distribution of students among secondary schools. For instance, sometimes, there is a draw.
The secondary school board decides whether your child will be admitted. In doing so, the school board looks at the primary school's recommendation, among other things. This will tell you which level best suits your child, such as VMBO, HAVO, or VWO.
If you come from abroad and your child does not have a Dutch school recommendation, please bring the school reports (translated into Dutch or English) from the foreign school. If your child does not (yet) speak Dutch, it is wise to choose a secondary school with an ISK or newcomer class (see section on newcomer classes.)
When a (Dutch) family has no school recommendation due to a stay abroad, the level of education can be determined by taking a placement test (this can be done via Edufax: Educational testing by Edufax). The test can take different forms, including written tests, interviews, observations, and assessments of previous school performance.
It is important to register your child at several schools because there will be a draw at (almost) every school.
Does your child need extra support? Sometimes, a secondary school cannot offer this. The school may then decide not to admit your child. In that case, the school does have a duty of care for your child. The school will then search for another suitable place in consultation with you, for example, by signing your child up with another secondary school or a school for (secondary) special education.
What documents are required for secondary school enrolment:
- Proof of identity and citizen service number (BSN)
- Proof of identity of the pupil
- If the child comes from another secondary school in the Netherlands, please bring the certificate of deregistration from that school.
- When registering at secondary school, your child will be given an education number, usually the same as the BSN. If your child does not yet have a BSN, please bring proof of registration from the municipality.
