Daycare in Leiden
Daycare is for children aged 3 months to 4 years. After their 4th birthday, children may start school - although this is not compulsory until they are 5. There are several options for daycare including childminders (gastouders) and nurseries/daycare centers (kinderdagverblijf).
For further information on the different types of child care in the Netherlands, please see Dutch Childcare Explained.
Gastouders (Childminders)
We recomment you contact the Gastouder organisations directly to find one that suits you. Please find below some Dutch Gastouder organisations that have gastouders in Leiden. Most of their websites are only in Dutch, but you can use Google Translate or similar to navigate. You can also call them, as it is likely that they speak English.
Gastouders in Leiden and Leiden Region
- 4Kids (multiple locations in the region): https://www.4kids.nl/en/childcare-market/childminders
- Kasteel: https://www.tkasteel.nl/bureau/
- Het Bijtje: https://www.gastouderopvanghetbijtje.nl/
- Kroostopvang: https://www.kroostopvang.nl/why-choose-kroostopvang/
- Childminders in Leiden: https://www.viaviela.nl/plaatsnaam/leiden?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI26KA35nC3gIVUNbACh3bcw55EAAYAyAAEgKl6fD_BwE
Gastouders in Oegstgeest
- SKO: https://www.sko-oegstgeest.nl/en/
- PIKO: http://www.floreokidsoegstgeest.nl/buitenschoolse-opvang.php
Kinderdagverblijf (Nurseries/Daycare)
Leiden and Oegstgeest
- Teddy Kids is an international daycare center with several locations around Leiden: https://teddykids.nl/en
- Flower kids (only in Dutch): https://flowerkids.nl/
- Pimmetje (only in Dutch): https://www.pimmetje.nl/
- Smallsteps has several locations in Leiden. You can find your closest by entering your postcode into their website: https://www.smallsteps.nl/english/home
- Wonderland: https://wonderlandkinderopvang.nl
- SKO Oegstgeest: https://sko-oegstgeest.nl/
- Tomtiedom is a small nursery with 1 location in Oegstgeest and another near Leiden Centraal: https://www.tomtiedom.nl/
- ‘t Leidsche Tuynhuis in central Leiden: https://hetleidschetuynhuis.nl/
- De Kinderhaven has several locations in Leiden: https://www.dekinderhaven.nl/
- Floreokids is in Leiden, Leiderdorp and Oegstgeest: https://www.floreokids.nl/
- Kindergarten: https://www.kindergarden.nl/home-en/
International Education:
- Early learning for ages 3-5 at British School (in English): Den Haag https://www.britishschool.nl/our-school/early-years-3-5-/foundation-stage
- Early Childhood Centre at American School of the Hague (in English): Wassenaar https://www.ash.nl/experience/elementary-school
Zoeterwoude:
- SKZ (Dutch): multiple locations in Zoeterwoude https://www.kinderopvangzoeterwoude.nl/
Wassenaar:
- Big Ben: https://bigbenkids.com/wassenaar/
Playgrounds
- SPL has several playgrounds in Leiden, Lisse and Noordwijk: https://splopvang.nl/
Outdoor Playgrounds:
- Please find a list of outdoor playgrounds in Leiden on the Speeltuinen in Leiden site: https://www.speeltuinenleiden.nl
- Kinderspeelzaal in Voorschoten: https://kinderspeelzaalvoorschoten.nl
- Vogelwijk: https://vogelwijk.nl/ Leiderdorp; https://www.bubblejungle.nl
- Noordwijkerhout: https://www.kidszoo.nl
- Alphen aan den Rijn: https://www.ballorig.nl/alphen-aan-den-rijn
- Hoofddorp: https://www.speelparadijs.nl
Playgroups
There is a playgroup in the north of Leiden. Children can attend from 2 to 4 years. There are 2 groups: a Tuesday/Thursday group and Wednesday/Friday group (from 8.00 to 13.30). In addition, it is possible that children can attend on a third day (Monday).
Please note though that in this context the 'Vrij' (free) refers not to the cost but to the style of play.
http://goudenpoortleiden.nl/