About the application

1Why is there an application process?
The elementary school in Zoetermeer want equal opportunities for all children. That is why they work with the application procedure 'Zo naar de basisschool'. This gives all children an equal chance of being placed at their favorite school.
2How can I register my child?
When your child turns 2, you will receive a letter from the municipality about the application procedure used by most elementary school in Zoetermeer. Around their third birthday, you can register your child via the application 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 births?
If you have multiple children, such as twins or triplets, you can register these children at the same time. In this case, we treat the application of all the mentioned children as one application. This prevents the children from being placed at different schools.
4When can I register my child at the elementary school?

In Zoetermeer, we use four fixed application periods. You can find them here. Was your child born before 1-1-2022? Please contact your preferred school. This group of students is not yet covered by this procedure. The school can handle application and enrollment.

5Is my child more likely to get a spot if I submit the application form right after his third birthday?
It makes no difference to the chances of placement whether you complete and submit the application form on the first or last day of the application period. Just be sure to register your child on time, no later than the last day of the application period.
6Why do I need to enter multiple schools on the application form?
There may be more applications at your favorite school than available spots. If the school of your first choice doesn't have a spot, we will check to see if there are any spots at the schools you listed second and third.
7I have filled out the application form. When will I be notified?
After sending the registration form you will automatically receive a confirmation email. (Also check your junk mail/ spam folder) You will be notified within six weeks after the application period closes. If your child needs extra support, the school may take an additional four weeks to investigate whether this is possible. Sometimes the school cannot provide the support. Then it will help find a suitable other school.
8When does a school lottery take place and how does it work?
After the priority rules are applied, a school draw takes place. For the children who are drawn by lot (child cannot be placed at the 1st preferred school), we will see if they can be placed at the second (and if necessary) third school. The notary public is present when the draw is conducted. In May and November, there are additional rounds of draw at the schools where places have become vacant. You can indicate if you want to participate in this extra draw. We call this place improvement.
9When will I be notified if my child needs additional support?
If your child needs additional support, the school may take an additional four weeks to explore whether it can provide that support.
10Can I contact the school during the application period to ask how many applications there are?
Schools do not make announcements about the number of applications during the application periods.
11I made a mistake and want to change my application.
To do so, please contact the school you are number one in. We can remove your application so you can resubmit an application.
12Can I enroll my child in another term?
In Zoetermeer there are four fixed registration periods. You register your child in the period in which it turns 3. If you do so later, you can choose from the schools that still have places available. These are put online every quarter. You can then enter for place improvement.
13Does the application procedure apply to all elementary school in Zoetermeer?
The procedure applies to all elementary school 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 have their own application procedure and cannot be filled out on the application form. If you want to register your child at one of these schools, please contact the school in question.
14Can I register my child at an elementary school in Zoetermeer if I do not live in Zoetermeer?
Yes, you can.
15Is the application process in line with privacy laws (AVG)?
Yes, only information necessary to register your child is requested. The citizen service number (BSN) is not needed until enrollment at the school.

About the priority rules

1What are the priority rules?
If there are more applications than available places, the school applies the priority rules. Children with a sibling at the same school are always given priority. After that, children who have been attending a daycare center in the same building for at least four months (8 hours) before their third birthday are given priority.
2Do the priority rules also apply to the second and third schools I entered?
No, the priority rules apply only to enrollment in 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 placement. No priority is given based on zip code.

About the placement

1How likely is it that my child will be placed at the school of first choice?
It depends on the number of available places, the number of applications and the priority rules applied.
2What does the maximum number of places per school mean?
Schools admit a maximum number of children per year. If there are more applications than places, it is not certain that your child will be able to attend your favorite school. A draw will then take place.
3When does a school lottery take place and how does it work?
After the priority rules are applied, a school lottery takes place. For the children who are drawn, we will see if they can be placed at the second (and if necessary) third school. The draw takes place under the supervision of a notary public.
4What happens if my child is not placed at the preferred school?
In May and November there are extra rounds of draw at the schools where places have become vacant. You can indicate if you want to participate in this extra draw. We call this place improvement.
5What happens if my child cannot be placed at any of the schools in my top three?
There may be more applications than places at all the schools you have chosen. If that is the case, the coordinator of "This way to the elementary school" will contact you to discuss the next steps. Together you will discuss at which school your child can be placed. You can then also participate in the extra drawing round.

About additional support

1What is meant by extra support?
If your child needs extra support, it is good to make this known already in the orientation phase. You must also indicate this on the application form. You will then be invited for an interview. Several experts can join the interview and your child is also welcome. Together with you we will determine whether the school you have chosen is the best choice for your child. The school can take four more weeks to investigate whether it can provide the extra support. If it cannot, the school will help find another school that can.
2How do I report that my child needs additional support?
This can be done on the application form. You will be invited for an interview to determine if the chosen school is the best choice by the elementary school of 1st preference.
3What can I do if my child needs extra support to learn the Dutch language?
Your child can attend an elementary school with a language class or a VVE (pre-school education) school where extra attention is given to language.

About moving or changing schools

1Do I have to deregister my child if I move to another city?
If you are no longer going to use the place at the school where your child is enrolled, we ask that you 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 spot.
3How do I register my child when 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 apply in the appropriate application block.
4How can I get my child to change schools?
Contact the current school and indicate that you wish to withdraw your child. Then reapply your child in the next application block. Please note that this will cause you to lose your first assigned spot.

Questions or complaints?

1Do you have questions about the application process?
Contact coordinator of "so to elementary school" by emailing [email protected] . In case of complaints about the implementation, please contact the school management.
2Are you dissatisfied with the "This way to elementary school" procedure or have suggestions for improvement?
Contact the coordinator of 'Zo naar de basisschool' by emailing [email protected] . Your comment will be discussed at the board meeting of 'So to Primary School'[1]. In the case of an official complaint, you will be assisted with the route where to file it.