NKO (nieuwkomersonderwijs) General information
In the Netherlands, there are several options for your children to attend school. If you will stay in the Netherlands for less than 3 years, you can register your child at an international school. Click here for more information.
If you intend to stay in the Netherlands for more than 3 years, we recommend that you register your child(ren) at a regular Dutch school near your home.
Depending on your child’s age and their level of Dutch, an appropriate supplementary choice will be made:
· If your child is younger than 4 years old, they may go to daycare
· If your child is between 4 and 12 years old, they will attend primary school
· If your child is older than 12, they will attend secondary school
Our advice is to contact the schools in your area and ask for their recommendation on what would be best for your child.
NKO Primary education
In principle, you enroll your child at a school of your choice, preferably close to your home. Children in the Netherlands start school at the age of 4. You should register your child when they are 3 years old. The enrollment process usually involves filling out the school’s own registration form. It is recommended to first schedule an introductory meeting before enrolling your child.
If your child is 4 years old and does not yet speak Dutch, you can still enroll them at a regular Dutch primary school. Your child will then learn Dutch through play-based learning.
If your child is 6 years or older and does not speak Dutch (or not well), you may still enroll them at a school of your choice in your neighborhood. However, your child will need additional support, especially in learning the Dutch language. Based on your child’s age, Dutch proficiency, and the facilities available at the chosen school, one of the following three options will be selected:
1. Newcomer Schools
These schools are specifically designed for children who are new to the Netherlands and need to learn Dutch first. The goal is for students to transition to regular education after a period of time.
Examples in the region:
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De Wereldwijzer – for Eindhoven and surrounding areas
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KC Mozaïek – for Helmond and surrounding areas
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De Opstap – for Maarheeze and surrounding areas
2. Regular Schools with Language Support or Transition Classes
These are regular Dutch primary or secondary schools that offer additional language instruction, such as NT2 (Dutch as a second language) lessons or special language support classes, to help newcomers learn Dutch.
3. Regular Schools without Separate Language Classes but with Individual Support
These schools do not offer separate language classes but are able to provide sufficient individual guidance to help newcomers integrate successfully into regular education.
Secondary education: EOA (First Reception of Non-Dutch Speakers) or ISK (International Transition Class)
The EOA (Eerste Opvang van Anderstaligen) or ISK (Internationale Schakelklas) is a form of education for non-Dutch speaking youth aged 12 to 18 who come from various cultural backgrounds, have a native language other than Dutch, and do not yet have sufficient command of the Dutch language.
The EOA/ISK program offers an NT2 curriculum, which stands for “Dutch as a Second Language.” This program usually lasts two years but may be shorter or longer depending on the student’s progress in Dutch.
In this program, students receive instruction in Dutch language and culture, as well as subjects such as mathematics, ICT, physical education, art and culture, English, and citizenship. In the final phase, students are also prepared for regular secondary-school subjects and placed into appropriate learning tracks.
After completing the EOA/ISK program, students receive a school recommendation and transition into regular secondary education, MBO (vocational education), HBO (higher professional education), or university, or they may move directly into (supported) employment. The teaching team determines each student’s next step and records this in an “outflow recommendation.” The school assists students with the transition.
Below are the links to the four EOA/ISK locations in the Brainport region:
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PIUS X – for students aged 12 to 18 living in Bergeijk, Bladel, Cranendonck, Eersel, Heeze-Leende, Oirschot, Reusel-De Mierden, Valkenswaard, Veldhoven, or Waalre.
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Stedelijk College – Global College – for students aged 12 to 16 living in Eindhoven, Best, Nuenen, or Son en Breugel.
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Summa – VOAT – for students aged 15½ to 18 living in the municipality of Eindhoven, Best, Nuenen, or Son en Breugel.
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Jan van Brabant College – Gasthuisstraat – for students aged 12 to 18 living in Helmond, Deurne, Asten, Someren, Geldrop-Mierlo, Gemert-Baksel, or Laarbeek.
Students can register via the websites of the respective EOA/ISK locations. Contact information for each EOA/ISK can be found on its website. Municipalities or other secondary schools in the Brainport region can also assist with the registration process.
Special Needs education if your child does not speak Dutch
Enrollment in Special Needs Education (SO) is always initiated by the regular primary school, after they have assessed whether they can meet the child’s needs.
If the school determines that they cannot provide the necessary support (and can demonstrate why), they will submit a request for an admission statement (TLV) to the Regional Collaborative Partnership (Samenwerkingsverband or SWV).
The SWV will make a decision based on the application (note: specific rules may vary by region).
If a TLV is granted, the child becomes eligible for placement in Special Education (SO) or Special Primary Education (SBO). At that point, a suitable school can be chosen, and the child can be officially enrolled.
So, a child can never be directly enrolled in an SO or SBO school without this process.
This also applies to Secondary Special Education (VSO).
