Working in childcare

In the Netherlands – as in many other countries - working in childcare is a regulated profession.
It concerns the profession of:

  • childminder 
  • child care worker 
  • playgroup practitioner 
  • nursery practitioner 
  • preschool practitioner

This means that nationals of EU member states who wish to practice their profession must always have their foreign qualification(s) recognized, before they are allowed to work in child care in the Netherlands.
There is one exception to the prerequisite of recognition: nationals of EU member states who wish to practice their profession on a temporary (occasional) basis, submission of a written declaration to that effect will suffice. Although you must comply with certain requirements, there is no need to file an application for recognition of your foreign qualification(s).
If you have a diploma of a non European Union member state and you wish to practice your profession in child care in the Netherlands, please see the website.