Education and Schools in Utrecht

School is compulsory in the Netherlands between the ages of five and 16. The Dutch Inspectorate of Education oversees all schools in the country, including private ones, and closely monitors the standards.

Expats moving to Utrecht will be pleased by the schooling options on offer and find that the education system in the Netherlands is of a high standard.

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Public schools in Utrecht

Expat children can attend public schools in the Netherlands along with Dutch children. While the teaching style may differ from what expat students are accustomed to, the quality and reputation of public schools across the Netherlands are good.

That said, the language of instruction is Dutch. Still, public schools in Utrecht are only really a viable option for very young children whose parents plan to settle in the Netherlands. Expat parents can also contact the municipality and schools directly to find out if they offer bilingual programmes.

Attendance is optional in the first year of primary school and only becomes compulsory on a child’s fifth birthday.

Government-funded schools are free to all children between four and 16 years old, and subsidised fees are applicable for the last two years of school.

There are three types of public secondary education and recommendations made by primary school teachers. These aim to ensure that each child is matched with the option that best suits their character and abilities. Each of these schools starts with a generic curriculum and then specialises in different areas. VMBO (voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs) schools offer a practical and vocational programme, while HAVO (hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs) and VWO (voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs) are more academically inclined.

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Private and international schools in Utrecht

Private and international schools in the Netherlands have a little more flexibility regarding teaching methods, language and curricula. Expats may therefore find that these are a better option for their children.

That said, there is only one international school in Utrecht, and it follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Naturally, it is oversubscribed, so expats who want to pursue this option should be sure to apply in advance.

Additionally, the fees are high and add to the cost of living in Utrecht. Parents should also budget for expenses such as uniforms, textbooks and excursions.

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Nurseries in Utrecht

Families moving to Utrecht with young children will find no shortage of preschools and nurseries. Daycares in Utrecht care for children as young as three months old, while infants aged two to four attend preschools.

Partou is the country's biggest childcare organisation and offers centres in Utrecht.

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Special-needs education in Utrecht

The Netherlands values inclusive education, and both public and private schools in Utrecht offer services to support students with disabilities, impairments and disorders. We recommend that new arrivals in Utrecht enquire at their local municipality about the exact services available.

Apart from mainstream classes, expats will also find speciaal basisonderwijs (SBO) and speciaal onderwijs schools. These centres are dedicated to special education needs. Speciaal onderwijs schools are divided into clusters depending on a child's impairment, including visual, hearing or speech impediments, physical or cognitive disabilities, and behavioural or social problems.

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Homeschooling in Utrecht

The Dutch legal system only recognises homeschooling in highly specific situations. Expat parents typically send their children to a public or private school, and few see the need for homeschooling. That said, distance learning is fast becoming a new reality. Parents are encouraged to ask the local municipality and schools for information on programmes and resources available.

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Tutors in Utrecht

Expat children may need additional support integrating into the new education system, while the whole family can benefit from Dutch language lessons. Hiring a tutor can be the answer to this. New arrivals will encounter a host of tutoring companies in Utrecht. Tutors are also available for hire via online platforms, and sessions can be conducted in person or online.