Dutch for parents: childcare, school and talking to teachers
Dutch words every parent needs, from kinderopvang and consultatiebureau to groep 1–8, juf and meester, plus phrases for talking to your child's teacher.
Having children in the Netherlands means a whole new set of Dutch words: in the daycare app, in school newsletters, on the playground and at parents' evenings. Even if the teacher speaks English, knowing these words makes life easier — and your child will probably be correcting your Dutch soon enough. This post covers childcare, primary school and the phrases you need to talk to teachers.
The way childcare and schools are organised can change, and it differs between municipalities and schools. For official information, check rijksoverheid.nl, your municipality and your child's school.
Childcare: kinderopvang
De kinderopvang is the general word for childcare. Under that umbrella you'll find several types:
| Dutch | What it is |
|---|---|
| het kinderdagverblijf | daycare for babies and young children, roughly up to age 4 (informally also de crèche) |
| de peuteropvang / de peuterspeelzaal | a few mornings or afternoons a week for toddlers, roughly ages 2 to 4 |
| de buitenschoolse opvang (bso) | after-school care for primary school children |
| de gastouder | childminder who looks after children in a home |
| de oppas | babysitter |
The term peuterspeelzaal is still widely used, but in many places these groups have been merged into the wider childcare system and are now called peuteropvang or something else. Ask locally what's on offer.
Phrases for drop-off and pick-up:
- Ik breng haar om acht uur. — I'll bring her at eight.
- Wie haalt hem vandaag op? — Who's picking him up today?
- Zijn oma haalt hem op. — His grandma is picking him up.
- Heeft ze goed geslapen? — Did she sleep well?
- Heeft hij goed gegeten? — Did he eat well?
Brengen en halen (dropping off and picking up) is such a common pair that parents use it as a noun: Het brengen en halen kost veel tijd. — The dropping off and picking up takes a lot of time.
The consultatiebureau
Het consultatiebureau is the child health clinic. In the first years, parents are invited there for check-ups: the nurse or doctor follows your child's growth and development, and vaccinations are given there. It belongs to youth healthcare (de jeugdgezondheidszorg). Your municipality or the clinic itself can tell you how it works in your area.
- We hebben een afspraak op het consultatiebureau. — We have an appointment at the child health clinic.
- Hoeveel weegt ze nu? — How much does she weigh now?
- Wanneer krijgt hij zijn volgende vaccinatie? — When does he get his next vaccination?
- Ze slaapt slecht. Is dat normaal? — She sleeps badly. Is that normal?
Primary school: de basisschool and groep 1–8
De basisschool is primary school. Instead of "years" or "grades", Dutch primary schools have eight groepen:
| Group | Usual age | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| groep 1 and groep 2 | about 4–6 | the "kleuter" years: learning through play |
| groep 3 | about 6–7 | learning to read and write |
| groep 4 to groep 7 | about 7–11 | the main primary years |
| groep 8 | about 11–12 | the final year, with advice for secondary school |
Most children start in groep 1 around their fourth birthday — often when they turn four, not only in September. Children in groups 1 and 2 are called kleuters. School becomes compulsory a little later; check rijksoverheid.nl for the current rules on compulsory education (de leerplicht). Groups 1 and 2 are often combined in one class, and some schools mix other groups too.
In groep 8, the school gives a schooladvies: advice on which type of secondary school (de middelbare school) suits your child. There's also a national test in the final year; its name and timing have changed in recent years, so ask the school how it works now.
- In welke groep zit je? — Which group are you in?
- Ze zit in groep drie. — She's in group three.
- Hij gaat na de zomer naar groep vijf. — He's going into group five after the summer.
School life vocabulary
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| de juf | (female) teacher |
| de meester | (male) teacher |
| de klas | class, classroom |
| het schoolplein | playground |
| de gym / de gymles | PE |
| de gymtas | PE bag |
| de pauze | break |
| de broodtrommel | lunch box |
| het rapport | school report |
| de ouderavond | parents' evening |
| het oudergesprek | parent-teacher meeting |
| het schoolreisje | school trip |
| de schoolvakantie | school holiday |
Children call their teacher juf or meester, often followed by the first name: juf Anouk, meester Tim. Parents usually call them by their first name too. It's friendly but still respectful.
Gym is PE, not a fitness centre. On gym days, children usually bring gymkleren and gymschoenen:
- Heeft hij vandaag gym? — Does he have PE today?
- Vergeet je gymtas niet! — Don't forget your PE bag!
A meeting with the teacher about your child is het oudergesprek; many schools still call it het tienminutengesprek ("ten-minute talk"). De ouderavond is usually an evening for all parents, with information about the year. And yes, at many Dutch schools volunteer parents regularly check children's hair for lice: de luizencontrole.
Talking to the teacher
Calling in sick for your child:
- Mijn zoon is ziek. Hij komt vandaag niet naar school. — My son is ill. He's not coming to school today.
- Ik wil mijn dochter ziek melden. — I'd like to report my daughter sick.
Arranging things:
- Kan ik een afspraak maken voor een gesprek? — Can I make an appointment for a talk?
- Hoe gaat het met Sam in de klas? — How is Sam doing in class?
- Heeft ze vriendjes en vriendinnetjes? — Does she have friends?
- Wat moet hij morgen meenemen? — What does he need to bring tomorrow?
- Mag ze vrijdag eerder weg? Ze heeft een afspraak bij de tandarts. — Can she leave early on Friday? She has a dentist's appointment.
When your Dutch isn't strong enough yet:
- Mijn Nederlands is nog niet zo goed. — My Dutch isn't very good yet.
- Kunt u wat langzamer praten? — Could you speak a bit more slowly?
- Thuis spreken we Engels. — We speak English at home.
- Kunt u de informatie ook mailen? — Could you also email the information?
Most teachers use je with parents and expect je back, but u is never wrong at a first meeting. See formal and informal you.
Quick summary
- Kinderopvang = childcare: kinderdagverblijf (daycare), peuteropvang (toddler groups), bso (after-school care).
- Het consultatiebureau = child health clinic for check-ups and vaccinations.
- De basisschool has groep 1 to groep 8; most children start around age 4.
- Teachers are juf and meester, often with a first name: juf Anouk.
- Gym = PE; het rapport = school report; het oudergesprek = parent-teacher meeting.
- Sick child: Hij komt vandaag niet naar school.
Practise it
Learn more classroom words in At school, talk about your children in Family, and read about the school system in Education.