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Relocating to Maastricht

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Tarik Haddad

Hi, Me, my wife and our daughters (1 year, 5 years) will be moving from the U.S. to Maastricht beginning of next year, Feb-March 2022.

We would like to have advises on the below:

1. My 5 years old is an english speaker, we are wondering if it is possible for her to join a public school, we rather prefer public over international because of the price and getting her more involved with dutch kids.

2. Do public schools accept and have special programs for non dutch speaking kids (5,6 years old) ?

3. Is it a good idea to have our daughter go to international school for the first year so she could learn dutch and then enroll her in public school?

4. Got to know about an option of first year of immersion dutch course, then she can join public school with kids of her age.

One place that has immersion programs I found is Berlitz. Are there any other places anyone know of?

Regards,
Tarik.

Ramses K.

Hi Tarik,

I will try to answer your questions.

1. Both your kids are welcome to join our schools (which are all public schools by the way)

2. There are probably some special programs, but you have to ask the school you choose for both of your kids. The school can tell you what kind of options they have and how they can teach your children the best way possible.

3. No I think you should enroll her on a Dutch school right away,she will learn the language fast and she will make friends in her class. Kids in the Netherlands go to the nearest schools in there neighbourhood so often the friends you make at school will live near to where you live.

4. Every child who lives in the Netherlands between 5 and 16 must by law go to school and a Dutch course isn't viewed as a qualified school. I think it will be wise to enroll both of your girls to the same class, so they can acclimate to the Dutch way of life and language. They will learn Dutch very fast and you can always hire an extra Dutch tutor who visit them at home twice a week.

I hope this helps a little bit, but talk to the schools you want to enroll your kids, they know your possibilities far better than I do.

Ramses

R 88

Hi Tarik,

I would advise you enroll your daughter in a public school as the language, although difficult, will be much easier to learn compared to an international school. At 5 years, she will pick it up quite quickly with some extra help of course. I was enrolled in a Dutch public school at 10 which was scary but it helped me a lot.

Usually, a school will provide a Dutch tutor to help the pupil. I do not know of any international schools.

Regards,

Reece

Tarik Haddad

Thanks you for the quick response.

Do you guys have 2-3 primary school you recommend in Maastricht?

I reached so far two schools for questions by mail, hope they will reply by monday.

My youngest daughter will be less than 2 years old so she will be going to daycare.

I just want to make sure we enroll our 6 years way in advance before we move to the netherlands.

Ramses K.

Tarik Haddad wrote:

Thanks you for the quick response.

Do you guys have 2-3 primary school you recommend in Maastricht?

I reached so far two schools for questions by mail, hope they will reply by monday.

My youngest daughter will be less than 2 years old so she will be going to daycare.

I just want to make sure we enroll our 6 years way in advance before we move to the netherlands.


In the Netherlands we usely go to to school that's close to our neighbourhood, so just choose between the closest ones. You can always ask in your new neighborhood where the schools are and where there children go to.
Go talk to the the schools in your neighborhood and choose which school you think is the best for your children.

Cynic

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

This link may provide you with the information you're looking for.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team

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