Parents want more choice in schools within their own town.

Parents want more choice in schools within their own town.

Most parents start their search for a suitable primary school when their child is 2 or 3 years old. We asked parents what they find important when choosing a primary school. How does this search go? And what problems do they face? You can read the results here.

For most parents, the distance from home to school is decisive when looking for a primary school. It is striking that one in three parents feels that there is no or little choice and differences in the supply of schools in their own community. They therefore prefer more choice in education views but also in the size of the schools. This is shown by research from Ouders & Onderwijs among 1179 parents in the Landelijk Ouderpanel.

 

Distance to school and atmosphere are decisive

About three quarters of parents say that the distance from home to school is (was) decisive for school choice. In addition, for more than half of parents, the atmosphere at school is a decisive factor in choosing a primary school.

More choice within the community

One in three parents feels that there is no or little choice and differences in the supply of schools in their own community. This is because the schools in the community do not offer the education view or religious background that parents are looking for, or because there are no or few differences in education streams (Montessori/Dalton).

41% of parents would also like more choice in schools. For example, parents want more choice in schools with a certain education view, in smaller schools, and more choice in schools with a certain religious belief or public schools. Some parents also say they want more supply in specific expertise within the framework of Tailored Education, such as giftedness.

Waiting list at primary schools

Some schools have too many registrations of new children, so they use waiting lists. Almost a quarter of parents (22%) have had to deal with a waiting list. In most cases, the children are eventually placed. 3% of these parents say that they finally had to register their child at another school.

Where do parents find important information?

More than half of parents (62%) look for information about the school on the school’s own website. Two out of five parents receive the information they need at the school’s own information meeting. The information parents read on the website or receive at the information meeting is an important source for many parents to check their own wishes about education against those of the school. Conversations with other parents are also important for parents.

Not all information is easy to find

Most parents say that they can find the information they need to make a good primary school choice well. Still, one in five parents says they miss information or that it takes quite a lot of effort to get information. Information about extra support, class size, and education quality is harder to find according to parents.

About the research

In the research into primary school choice, we asked parents what they find important when searching for a primary school. 1179 parents with a child younger than 4 years and a child of primary school age took part in the research. Want to join the conversation about important school themes? Then sign up for the Landelijk Ouderpanel.

Questions and contact

Do you have questions about primary school choice? Or do you have other questions about your child’s education? Then contact our advice point by Whatsapp, mail, or phone.