FAQ

I am new in the Netherlands and moved to Amstelveen with my family, what are my next steps?
Welcome to Amstelveen, now you are on the website of the CIL you are in the right place. Please fill in the registration form, send us an email or give us a call so we can help you according to your wishes.

We don’t have an address in Amstelveen yet and we will start looking for a house as soon as we have found a school for our child(ren). Is this possible?
You can’t enrol children in a school in Amstelveen without having a permanent address (either rented or owned). So it is important to find a place to live first – once that’s sorted, we’ll help you look for a suitable school for your child. We will always do our best to find a school as close to your new home as possible. Just keep in mind that choosing a house near a school you like doesn’t guarantee your child will get a place there. We can only offer spots depending on availability.

My child(ren) don't speak Dutch yet and we want them to go to a public Dutch-speaking school, how does this work?
Children above the age of 6 need to attend language school first. A language school is a special temporary school with the main focus on learning the Dutch language. While learning Dutch, the children will also follow the regular curriculum and will therefore not necessarily fall behind. As soon as their Dutch level is good enough (the average period is one year), they can move to a public school in your neighbourhood. We will help you in this process.

If my children go to language school, do they lose a year and fall behind compared to their peers?
At language school, children follow the regular curriculum but with the main focus on learning the Dutch language. This means they will not necessarily fall behind in comparison to their age group. This depends on the individual child and various factors such as school history, motivation, and emotional well-being.

Does a language school work the same as a public school in terms of days and timetable or is this school part-time?
Yes, the language school is 5 days a week and works the same as a regular primary school. They go to school at the same hours as a regular primary school.
Please note, the language school does not offer language courses. It is a full-time school and only teaches children enrolled at the language school.

We as adults want to learn Dutch too, is there also a language school for adults in the area?
Several schools offer possibilities to learn Dutch for the parents of the children attending their school. Please inform at the school where your child is attending for further details.
The other possibility is ‘Taalhuis’ in Amstelveen, they can also help you in learning the Dutch language.
 
My child(ren) are on the waiting list for a spot at one of the language schools. Can they start at a regular primary school while they wait for a spot at the language school?
No, unfortunately, this is not possible. Regular primary schools do not have the tools to assist your child if they don’t speak Dutch. Therefore they need to wait until a spot becomes available.

How does it work if my child is attending language school and needs to go to a regular primary school? What’s the procedure?
We will help you with the placement at a regular primary school. Further information is placed on the page  Next school procedure

I am not sure if I will stay in the Netherlands and if my children need to learn Dutch. In that case, what will be the best school for my child?
If you are still doubting whether you will stay for the long term or short term, it is best to consider International education for your children. At language school, children will learn Dutch and this might not be the best fit for your children if you are planning to stay for the short term. 

Who will arrange transportation from my home to the (language) school?
In the Netherlands, school transport isn’t usually provided. It’s generally up to parents or carers to get their children to and from school. Only in very exceptional situations – and always in consultation with the municipality of Amstelveen – can transport options be considered.
If school transport is approved, it will only cover the days when you can clearly show that you’re unable to arrange it yourself.

Is it possible to start language school before the official starting date?
No this isn't possible, it can be really disturbing for the other children when every new child could start whenever they want. The Central Information Desk (CIL) will contact you when there is a spot available for your child(ren) at one of the language schools.  

My child is now in education at an international school. Is it still possible to change and follow education at a regular primary school?
For this topic, we have created a separate page on our website.

My child is turning 4. How should I register him/her for primary school?
The municipality of Amstelveen has a new application and placement procedure. A website has been created for this purpose. 

Where else can I find reliable useful information about the Dutch education system?
Annebet van Mameren of New2NL has made several informative videos that will give you useful information.
Expatrepublic's website might also be interesting.