Relocating to the Netherlands with children

Moving with your children can be challenging, from organising a new school to dealing with homesickness, all whilst adjusting to new cultural differences. To help you handle the stress of managing a move with kids, here’s a guide from Crown Relocations on what you should consider when doing just that.

Timing is important

Timing is important, so if you have a flexible schedule, try to plan your move around your children’s education, so that they have a smooth transition when relocating and starting their new school. It will also help with fitting into their new environment easier.

School holidays

Moving during school holidays is one of the most popular choices for families, particularly over the summer holidays, as it’s the longest break.

Bank holiday weekends

Bank holiday weekends are another popular moving period. As there's no school, there's some time to get extra tasks done that have been left for the last minute.

Interesting fact: The majority of parents are looking to improve the lifestyle and well-being of their families, with typically about 10 percent of children aged one to 14 moving countries each year!

The school search

In the Netherlands, education is compulsory for all children between the ages of five and 18. You can choose between local or international schools. The international curriculum is generally taught in English, which is perfect for your older children who are already in the education system.

International schools

An international school is the common option chosen by expats if you are likely to relocate again soon, as many international schools across the world have similar syllabi, meaning there won’t be a massive disruption to your child’s current education.

Local schools

Attending a local school in Netherlands is a common option for those who are making a permanent move. A local school will ultimately bring you closer to the culture and provide an opportunity to learn the local language with Dutch immersion classes.

Interesting fact: The school schedule in the Netherlands is very different compared to schools in other countries. For instance, on Wednesdays, students are dismissed around noon.

Get the children involved

We recommend getting your children involved in the moving process as early as possible. Making them feel involved in the decision-making process will help them to feel excited and ready to settle in when you get there.

The whole moving process doesn’t have to be boring, make it fun! Get them thinking about the colour of their new room by giving them swatches of paint colours. Let them also pick out new furniture and accessories to decorate as a way of them having something to look forward to when moving into their new home.

If you need any help settling into the Netherlands, or you need some advice about how to get started over here, check out Crown Relocations. They have handy guides to countries all over the world, and their experienced team are on hand to offer you personalised advice for every stage of your move.