Dear All,

I have three children 2/5/8yrs. I am in the process of deciding whether to take my companies offer of moving to Holland. I dont think my company will pay for education of the children and my pay will be about 36,000 euros. What is best for the children? The youngest will go to a Dutch school and learn from the start as he is only 2 years. The other two are 5 and 8 so what is best for them? they dont yet speak dutch but will learn Dutch straght away. Does Holland offer schooling in both english and Dutch that you dont have to pay for. I dont think i can afford an international school. In an ideal world i would like to attent a Dutch school where they can learn the launguage and be educated in English so they can also transfer to normal Dutch school in say 2/3 years. Do any one have any experience or advice.

Thanks for reading
Lee

HI there,

depending a bit on where you are going (amsterdam/den haag/rotterdam or "out in the country") international schools may not available.
We do have Dutch schools where English is the main language (and officially the only one:)) but they are starting from the age of 12.
Hard as it is, i think all your kids have to go to a 'normal" Dutch school.

Hi Dutchie,

thanks for the reply nevfer know how often people check these websites. I think in the long run they will be better going to a dutch school for learning the language and culture. We have been looking at Dordrecht as a base. I will be working in Culemborg so any where upto about an hour from there really.
Are there any websites we can check for Schools that my children can go to. Gouda is also a possibility. or Breda. Thanks for the reply

Lee

Hi Lee,

A warm welcome to Expat Focus and our forums, good to hear from you. I've spent a bit of time trying to find some schools in the areas you mentioned but am having no luck. However, I did find the Dutch Education Ministry's website, and this is a email address for them, if that's any help. Maybe they can give you some school lists for those areas?
Ministry of OCW
PO Box 16375
2500 BJ Den Haag
T: 003170 412 34 56
F: 003170 412 34 50
ocwinfo @ postbus51.nl

Hope you will keep in touch and let us know how everything works out, best of luck to you

Jo

Dear Lee,

I don't think you will have a problem at all.
Most people, and yes even kids speak and understand the English language. Going to a "regular' school won't be a problem either, since we Dutch people grow up with 3 languages. By watching tv, listening to music, Dutch people learn to speak understand Ducth, German and English.

If you like to have a cheap course to learn the Ducth language, try the LOI, also called Leidse Onderwijs Instelling, you can signup for the Dutch course and will receive all information to learn the language by computer.

I am telling you this, for me and my wife, who is a US citizen, have been living in Holland from 1998 until 12/2000 and she used the same info to learn the language.

Hope this information comes you well.

Regards,
William