Choosing a primary school.

Choosing a primary school can be quite exciting. It is important that a primary school and the education fits you and your child. There is a lot of information coming your way. What can you look out for? And how do you finally choose a suitable primary school?

When do you start looking?

From the age of three, you can register your child for primary school. It is important to start looking on time. Some schools are very popular and work with waiting lists or priority rules. Our advice is to start looking and visiting schools when your child is two years old.

Choosing a primary school: what to look for?

What matters to you is different for each parent and child. Think about what points you find most and least important. Some examples are:

Distance between home and school: how far is the school from your house? Is the primary school nearby? Are there dangerous traffic situations on the way to school?
School times: what time does the school day start and end? Is the schedule the same every day? Does your child have to eat lunch at school?
Types of schools: do you want the education to match your religion or belief or does a public school fit better? Are you looking for a primary school with a specific teaching method? Or do you consider private education?
Registration rules: is there room at the school? What priority rules does the school have for registration? Or does the primary school work with a central registration period or lottery system?
Tailored education: does your child need extra support at school? Is it advised to register your child for special primary education? Find out what kind of support suits your child.

How to choose a primary school

Where can you find information about primary school choice?

To make a good choice, it is good to compare different primary schools. Collect information about the points you find important and compare them. What are the pros and cons per school? And what do you value the most?

The website and the school guide
Every school has a (digital) school guide and a website. Here you find information about the school, the results, and the school policy. You also find the agreements and rules of the school, like what snacks children can bring, when the school starts, and what the school expects from parents and children.
Independent information
There are several websites where you can compare schools and find more information. An overview of all schools nearby can be found via www.scholenopdekaart.nl or www.schoolregister.nl. On the website of the education inspectorate, you can see the ratings of schools on different topics.
Visit different schools
If you want to get a good impression of a new school while searching for a suitable primary school for your child, it is best to visit once. Some schools have open days where you can get lots of information. You can also look at the schoolyard in the morning or when school ends. Then you get a good impression of the atmosphere at school. If the school has no open day, call or email the school to ask if someone can give you a tour. These moments are also perfect to ask all your questions. Do you not know what to ask? Keep the checklist handy. Then you are sure not to forget anything.
Ask other parents
Other parents can be an important source of information when choosing a primary school for your child. Do you know parents with a child at the schools you are considering? Then ask them your questions. For example, how is the atmosphere in the class? What do you think of the quality of education? Do you have good contact with your child’s teacher? Realize that other parents can find different things important. Still, you can often get a good overall picture of the school through other parents’ experiences.