About the Registration
1Why is there a registration procedure?
The primary schools in Zoetermeer want equal opportunities for all children. That is why they work with the 'Zo naar de basisschool' (Off to primary school) registration procedure. This gives all children an equal chance to be placed in their favorite school.
2How can I register my child?
When your child turns 2, you will receive a letter from the municipality about the registration procedure that most primary schools in Zoetermeer use. Around the third birthday, you register your child via the registration form
on this website. If you need help with this, you can contact the school of your first choice.
3How do I register my multiple?
If you have a multiple, for example, twins or triplets, you can register these children at the same time. In this case, we treat the registration of all the children mentioned as one registration. This prevents the children from being placed in different schools.
4When can I register my child for primary school?
In Zoetermeer, we use four fixed registration periods. You can find them here. Was your child born before 1-1-2022? Please contact the school of your preference. This group of students is not yet covered by this procedure. The school can handle the registration and enrollment.
5Does my child have a better chance of getting a place if I submit the registration form immediately after their third birthday?
For the chance of placement, it does not matter whether you complete and submit the registration form on the first or the last day of the registration period. However, make sure that you register your child on time, i.e. no later than the last day of the registration period.
6Why do I have to fill in multiple schools on the registration form?
It is possible that your favorite school has more registrations than available places. If the school of your first choice does not have a place, we will see if there is a place at the schools you have indicated as your second and third choices.
7I have completed the registration form. When will I receive a message?
After submitting the registration form, you will automatically receive a confirmation by email. (also check your unwanted mail/spam folder) You will receive a message within six weeks after the closing of the registration period. If your child needs extra support, the school can take four weeks more to investigate whether this is possible. Sometimes the school cannot provide the support. Then they will help you find another suitable school.
8When does a school lottery take place and how does it work?
After the priority rules have been applied, a school lottery takes place. For the children who are not selected (child cannot be placed at the school of first preference), it is checked whether they can be placed at the second (and if necessary) third school. The notary is present during the execution of the lottery. In May and November, there are extra lottery rounds at the schools where places have become available. You can indicate whether you want to participate in this extra lottery. We call this place improvement.
9When will I receive a message if my child needs extra support?
If your child needs extra support, the school can take four weeks more to investigate whether they can offer this support.
10Can I contact the school during the registration period to ask how many registrations there are?
The schools do not make any announcements about the number of registrations during the registration periods.
11I made a mistake and want to change my registration.
Please contact the school that you have listed as number one. We can delete your registration so that you can submit a new registration.
12Can I register my child in a different period?
In Zoetermeer, there are four fixed registration periods. You register your child in the period in which they turn 3 years old. If you do this later, you can choose from the schools that still have places. These are put online every quarter. You can then participate in place improvement.
13Does the registration procedure apply to all primary schools in Zoetermeer?
The procedure applies to all primary schools in Zoetermeer, with the exception of: Vrije school Vuurvogel, IKC De Vijf Pilaren, SBO De Horizon, SBO De Vuurtoren, (V)SO De Keerkring, SBO Het Zwanenbos and SO De Musketier.
These schools use their own registration procedure and you cannot fill them in on the registration form. If you want to register your child at one of these schools, you can contact the school in question.
14Can I register my child at a primary school in Zoetermeer if I do not live in Zoetermeer?
Yes, you can.
15Is the registration procedure in line with privacy legislation (GDPR)?
Yes, only information that is necessary for the registration of your child is requested. The citizen service number (BSN) is only required for registration at the school.
About the Priority Rules
1Which priority rules are used?
If there are more registrations than available places, the school applies the priority rules. Children with a brother or sister at the same school always get priority. After that, children who attend childcare in the same building for at least four months, two days a week (8 hours) before their third birthday get priority.
2Do the priority rules also apply to the second and third schools that I have filled in?
No, the priority rules only apply to the registration at the school of your first choice.
3Does my child have priority at the school if I live next door?
Where you live does not affect the placement. No priority is given based on postcode.
About the Placement
1How likely is it that my child will be placed in the school that is the first choice?
That depends on the number of available places, the number of registrations and the applied priority rules.
2What does the maximum number of places per school mean?
Schools allow a maximum number of children per year. If there are more registrations than places, it is not certain that your child will be able to go to the school that is your favorite. A lottery will then take place.
3When does a school lottery take place and how does it work?
After the priority rules have been applied, a school lottery takes place. For the children who are not selected, it is checked whether they can be placed at the second (and if necessary) third school. The lottery takes place under the supervision of a notary.
4What happens if my child is not placed in the school of first preference?
In May and November, there are extra lottery rounds at the schools where places have become available. You can indicate whether you want to participate in this extra lottery. We call this place improvement.
5What happens if my child cannot be placed in any of the schools in my top-3?
It is possible that there are more registrations than places at all the schools you have chosen. If this is the case, the coordinator of 'Zo naar de basisschool' will contact you to discuss the next steps. Together you will discuss which school your child can be placed in. You can then also participate in the extra lottery round.
About Extra Support
1What is meant by extra support?
If your child needs extra support, it is good to make this known in the orientation phase. You should also indicate this on the registration form. You will then be invited for an interview. Several experts can join that interview and your child is also very welcome. Together with you, we will see if the school you have chosen is the best choice for your child. The school can take four weeks more to investigate whether they can offer the extra support. If this is not possible, the school will help to find another school that can.
2How do I indicate that my child needs extra support?
This can be done on the registration form. You will be invited for an interview to determine whether the chosen school is the best choice by the primary school of 1st preference.
3What can I do if my child needs extra support to learn the Dutch language?
Your child can go to a primary school with a language class or to a VVE school (pre-school education) where extra attention is paid to language.
About Moving or Changing Schools
1Do I have to deregister my child if I am going to move to another city?
If you are no longer going to use the place at the school where your child is registered, we ask you to let the school know in good time. The school can then offer this place to another child.
2Can I register my child at another school if I move within Zoetermeer?
You can, but first contact the school where the child has been assigned a place.
3How do I register my child if I move to Zoetermeer?
If your child is 3 years old, follow the steps in this procedure and register your child in the next registration block. Is your child not yet 3 years old? Then wait until your child is 3 years old and then register in the appropriate registration block.
4How can I change my child's school?
Contact the current school and indicate that you want to withdraw your child. Then register your child again in the next registration block. Please note: you will lose the first assigned place.
Questions or Complaints?
1Do you have questions about the registration procedure?
Contact the coordinator of 'zo naar de basisschool' by emailing contact@zonaardebasisschool.nl. For complaints about the implementation, please contact the school management.
2Are you dissatisfied with the 'Zo naar de basisschool' procedure or do you have suggestions for improvement?
Contact the coordinator of 'zo naar de basisschool' by emailing contact@zonaardebasisschool.nl. Your comment will be discussed in the administrative consultation of 'Zo naar de basisschool'[1]. In case of an official complaint, you will be helped with the route where to submit it.
