The summer holidays are coming to an end, and the start of a new school year is already in the air. Backpacks and stationery are appearing in shops, children are beginning to remember their classmates’ names, and parents are opening their laptops with one question in mind: have we prepared everything?For expat families, this period can feel particularly challenging. The Dutch education system may be very different from the one you are familiar with. The rules, pace and expectations placed on both children and parents are not always the same.In this guide, we explain how to prepare children of different ages for the new school year: preschoolers, primary school pupils and teenagers making the transition to middelbare school.
What Children of All Ages Need
Whether your child is four or fourteen, several things can make the start of the new school year easier.
Re-establishing a Routine
Children’s sleeping patterns often change during the summer holidays. Around two weeks before school starts, begin gradually adjusting their wake-up and bedtime routine.Move bedtime and wake-up time by approximately 15 minutes every two days. By the first day of school, your child should already be waking up at the right time, reducing the risk of the first week turning into a daily struggle.
Having an Open Conversation
Talk to your child about the new school year. Ask what they enjoyed last year, what they are worried about and what they would like to do differently. Children who feel heard and understood often adapt to change more quickly.
Preparing a Study Space
A suitable desk, good lighting and no phone within sight can make a significant difference. Your child’s study area should be organised and ready before the first day of school.
Preschoolers Aged 3–6: Getting Ready for Basisschool
In the Netherlands, children usually start school at the age of four, sometimes literally on their fourth birthday. This system may differ from what many international families are used to and therefore requires a different approach to preparation.The main question parents of preschoolers ask is: is my child ready for school?
Teachers are not primarily looking at whether a child can already read, write or count. They focus more on independence, listening skills, social development and the ability to concentrate on an activity for at least a few minutes.
For a detailed explanation of the seven key signs teachers look for, read our article: “Is Your Child Ready for School in the Netherlands? 7 Signs Teachers Look For.”
Primary School Children Aged 6–10: Returning to a Routine After Summer
Children of this age already know what school is like, but six weeks of summer holidays can still have an impact. After the break, they may be more distracted, take longer to get started and find it harder to concentrate.
The good news is that this is normal and usually temporary. The less positive news is that without support from parents, the adjustment period may last longer than necessary.
We have collected six practical strategies that can help children return to their learning routine without unnecessary stress in our article: “How to Help Your Child Get Back into a School Routine After Summer: 6 Strategies That Work.”
Teenagers Aged 11–14: Transitioning to Middelbare School
This transition deserves special attention. Moving from basisschool to middelbare school is one of the most stressful stages within the Dutch education system.Teenagers suddenly have a different timetable, several subject teachers, new academic expectations and a completely different way of organising their schoolwork.
For expat families, there may be an additional challenge: supporting a teenager who performs well academically but occasionally struggles with Dutch educational terminology or does not yet fully understand the grading system.
During the summer holidays, children’s circadian rhythm, their internal biological clock, often shifts. Their brains become accustomed to falling asleep and waking up later.At the same time, their cognitive load decreases because they have had a break from structured learning tasks. Returning to a school routine is therefore not simply a question of motivation or willpower. It is a gradual process of restoring healthy habits, concentration and mental stamina.
What Children of All Ages Need
Whether your child is four or fourteen, several things can make the start of the new school year easier.
Re-establishing a Routine
Children’s sleeping patterns often change during the summer holidays. Around two weeks before school starts, begin gradually adjusting their wake-up and bedtime routine.Move bedtime and wake-up time by approximately 15 minutes every two days. By the first day of school, your child should already be waking up at the right time, reducing the risk of the first week turning into a daily struggle.
Having an Open Conversation
Talk to your child about the new school year. Ask what they enjoyed last year, what they are worried about and what they would like to do differently. Children who feel heard and understood often adapt to change more quickly.
Preparing a Study Space
A suitable desk, good lighting and no phone within sight can make a significant difference. Your child’s study area should be organised and ready before the first day of school.
Preschoolers Aged 3–6: Getting Ready for Basisschool
In the Netherlands, children usually start school at the age of four, sometimes literally on their fourth birthday. This system may differ from what many international families are used to and therefore requires a different approach to preparation.The main question parents of preschoolers ask is: is my child ready for school?
Teachers are not primarily looking at whether a child can already read, write or count. They focus more on independence, listening skills, social development and the ability to concentrate on an activity for at least a few minutes.
For a detailed explanation of the seven key signs teachers look for, read our article: “Is Your Child Ready for School in the Netherlands? 7 Signs Teachers Look For.”
Primary School Children Aged 6–10: Returning to a Routine After Summer
Children of this age already know what school is like, but six weeks of summer holidays can still have an impact. After the break, they may be more distracted, take longer to get started and find it harder to concentrate.
The good news is that this is normal and usually temporary. The less positive news is that without support from parents, the adjustment period may last longer than necessary.
We have collected six practical strategies that can help children return to their learning routine without unnecessary stress in our article: “How to Help Your Child Get Back into a School Routine After Summer: 6 Strategies That Work.”
Teenagers Aged 11–14: Transitioning to Middelbare School
This transition deserves special attention. Moving from basisschool to middelbare school is one of the most stressful stages within the Dutch education system.Teenagers suddenly have a different timetable, several subject teachers, new academic expectations and a completely different way of organising their schoolwork.
For expat families, there may be an additional challenge: supporting a teenager who performs well academically but occasionally struggles with Dutch educational terminology or does not yet fully understand the grading system.
During the summer holidays, children’s circadian rhythm, their internal biological clock, often shifts. Their brains become accustomed to falling asleep and waking up later.At the same time, their cognitive load decreases because they have had a break from structured learning tasks. Returning to a school routine is therefore not simply a question of motivation or willpower. It is a gradual process of restoring healthy habits, concentration and mental stamina.
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