The Amsterdam nursery landscape
Amsterdam early years provision splits into three tiers. The kinderdagverblijf (KDV) network is the Dutch state-framework day nursery model, covering ages 0 to 4, and runs through both not-for-profit foundations and a handful of national chains. The peuterspeelzaal (PSZ) preschool sits at ages 2 to 4 and runs shorter mornings, half-day model, used by Dutch parents who do not need full-day care. Above both sits the international nursery layer, English-medium settings run as commercial nurseries within the same Dutch KDV regulatory framework but staffed with English-speaking pedagogues.
For expat families, the practical choice usually comes down to two questions. First, do you want the full English-medium environment for your child, or are you happy with a Dutch-led environment with English exposure? Second, are you eligible for the Dutch kinderopvangtoeslag subsidy, which materially changes the after-subsidy cost? Working parents with a BSN number and a Dutch employer typically qualify for substantial subsidy and gravitate toward the standard KDV options. Spouses without independent Dutch employment do not qualify, which pushes that cohort toward the international nurseries that price for the full unsubsidised market.
Above age 4, Dutch state primary begins automatically with groep 1, which is reception in UK terms or kindergarten in US terms. Children attending an international primary such as ISA or BSA simply transfer at age 4 into the school's own early years department, which sits outside the KDV framework entirely. This is why family choice in the 3-to-4 year window often gets framed as "international school early years vs nursery", because the two routes share a transition point.
Fees, subsidies and what you actually pay
Dutch KDV nurseries charge a regulated hourly rate, which for 2026 is set at a maximum of around EUR 11.20 per hour for full-time KDV care. For two days a week attendance, that works out at roughly EUR 900 to EUR 1,400 per month before subsidy. The kinderopvangtoeslag tax credit, claimable through Belastingdienst for working Dutch resident parents, refunds between 33 and 96 percent of the eligible hourly cost depending on household income, which can take the effective cost to EUR 200 to EUR 700 per month for low to median earners.
International English-medium nurseries price at EUR 1,600 to EUR 2,400 per month for two-day attendance, with five-day rates in the EUR 3,200 to EUR 4,400 range. The international school early years departments at ISA, BSA and Amity charge between EUR 16,800 and EUR 20,400 per year for age 3 and 4 places, depending on the school. For the full Amsterdam fee context see our Amsterdam fees guide. For relocation budgeting beyond schooling, use the cost calculator.
Which nursery should you join the waiting list for?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three Amsterdam early years settings based on language preference, neighbourhood, and feeder school plans.
Illustrative example settings
The four settings below are illustrative, not a ranking. They cover the realistic early years choices for an Amsterdam international family across both the standalone nursery and the school-attached early years routes.
Zein Child Care International Nursery in Buitenveldert is the largest English-medium nursery operator in Amsterdam, with multiple sites across the southern ring and Amstelveen. Pedagogically Reggio-informed, English-led staffing with Dutch language exposure built in.
Compananny International Preschool in Amsterdam Zuid is a smaller boutique operator with a structured early literacy programme and a longer school-day model than standard KDV. Often used by families who want a recognisable feeder pattern into the British School of Amsterdam or the IB Primary Years Programme.
International School of Amsterdam Early Years in Amstelveen runs the school's own EYFS-aligned early years department from age 3, sitting outside the Dutch KDV framework. Useful for families who want a continuous IB pathway from age 3 through to the Diploma at age 18.
Children's House Amsterdam Toddler Community in Oud-Zuid runs an AMI Montessori toddler programme from age 14 months. Smaller cohorts, English-medium, longer mixed-age work cycles than standard KDV.
Where international families place their toddlers
International nursery clusters in Amsterdam concentrate where the international school footprint and the international employer housing pools overlap. Buitenveldert and Amstelveen, around the ISA and Amity school sites, hold the densest concentration of English-medium nurseries. Most have multi-site footprints that allow families to start at one location and transfer to a different campus closer to their primary school once a place is confirmed. Oud-Zuid, around the Vondelpark belt, holds the second cluster, with smaller boutique operators and the AMI Montessori toddler programmes.
Amsterdam Noord has grown rapidly as a family district over the past five years, with several KDV nurseries opening to serve the new housing developments around NDSM and Overhoeks. The English-medium provision in Noord is still limited but expanding, and the area benefits from a 15 minute ferry crossing to Amsterdam Centraal which makes a working parent commute manageable. For the wider geography see our Amsterdam city hub and moving to Amsterdam with kids guide.
Registration timelines and waiting lists
The Amsterdam early years system runs on waiting lists, not application rounds. Most parents register during pregnancy or within the first three months after birth. At the popular Buitenveldert and Oud-Zuid sites, waiting lists run 12 to 18 months and a confirmed start date is rarely available within six months of registration. Multi-site operators such as Zein and Compananny can sometimes offer an alternative location while the family waits for their preferred site.
For international school early years departments, the timeline is the standard international school admissions cycle: applications open October to November of the year before entry, assessment days February to April, offers within ten working days. Mid-year transfers from age 3 or age 4 are possible if a place becomes available. Families weighing the early years choice should plan with the primary school feeder in mind, since the school-attached early years departments effectively guarantee a primary place. See our Amsterdam primary schools hub for the next stage.
Frequently asked questions
At what age do children start nursery in Amsterdam?
Most Amsterdam nurseries accept children from age 3 months through to age 4, when Dutch state primary begins. The kinderdagverblijf (KDV) format covers ages 0 to 4. Compulsory schooling starts at age 5, but most children begin Dutch state primary at age 4 in the groep 1 reception cohort.
How much do international nurseries in Amsterdam cost?
Standard Dutch kinderdagverblijf nurseries cost EUR 9.50 to EUR 11.20 per hour in 2026, which works out at EUR 900 to EUR 1,400 per month for two days a week. International nurseries with English-medium staff, such as Zein Child Care, charge EUR 1,600 to EUR 2,400 per month for two-day attendance. Dutch resident families can claim kinderopvangtoeslag, a tax-credit subsidy of up to 96 percent depending on income.
Are international nurseries in Amsterdam English-medium?
A growing minority are. Operators such as Zein Child Care, Compananny International and several smaller boutique nurseries staff their groups with English-speaking pedagogues alongside Dutch native speakers. The result is typically bilingual exposure with English-led structured activities and Dutch-led play.
Do international nurseries feed into Amsterdam international schools?
Yes. International School of Amsterdam, Amity International School Amsterdam and the British School of Amsterdam all run their own early years departments from age 3 or age 4. These departments act as natural feeders into the school's primary phase and operate to international expectations rather than the Dutch KDV framework.
When do parents register for nursery places in Amsterdam?
Demand is high. Most parents register during pregnancy or within the first three months after birth. Waiting lists at the popular Buitenveldert and Oud-Zuid nurseries run 12 to 18 months. Building a backup plan with two or three providers is standard.
