4 steps to primary school
Step 1 - Choosing
You can choose from over 50 schools in Zoetermeer. Where will your child feel at home and what type of education is most suitable? It is a good idea to start looking into different schools from the time your child turns two. View the map where you can find them by neighborhood and type of education. This can help you make a choice.
The schools' websites contain more information about their education and what they offer. Make an appointment at a few schools to get a feel for the atmosphere and get acquainted. Many schools also organize information sessions.
Compile a top 3. This is important because it can happen that your child is not placed in the school of first preference. It is possible that a school receives more applications than it has places available. You can read more about this in step 3.
There are over 50 primary schools in Zoetermeer. Vrijeschool de Vuurvogel and Islamic primary school IKC de vijf pilaren are currently not participating in the procedure. Check the map to see which schools are nearby. Would you prefer to see all the schools in an overview? Click here
Good to know: where you live does not affect placement. Priority is not given based on postal code.
Step 2 - Registration
Have you made a choice? Then fill in the registration form and list three schools. You can find the registration form here to fill in digitally. The form also provides space to indicate any additional support needs. You can read more about this in the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Four fixed registration periods
There are four fixed application periods. You apply for your child during the period in which they turn 3 years old. If you do this later, there is a chance that there will be no place available at your preferred school.
For the chance of a place, it does not matter whether you fill in and send the registration form on the first or last day of the registration period. All registration forms are treated as if they were completed and received at the same time during that period.
Overview of periods
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Your child was born between: |
You apply for your child between: |
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October 1 and December 31, 2022 |
December 12 and December 31, 2025 |
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January 1 and March 31, 2023 |
March 12 and March 31, 2026 |
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April 1 and June 30, 2023 |
June 15 and June 30, 2026 |
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July 1 and September 30, 2023 |
September 15 and September 30, 2026 |
For detailed information about registering your child, see the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Step 3 - Placement
All registrations are processed in a central registration system and processed after the closing date.
Your child is guaranteed a place if the school has enough places for all applications. Each school allows a maximum number of children per year. If there are more applications than places , the school applies the priority rules.
Priority rules
This means that children get priority if:
- they have a brother or sister, half-brother or half-sister, or stepbrother or stepsister at the same school;
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they attend a form of childcare in the same building for at least 4 months, 2 sessions (8 hours) per week before they are 3 years old. Examples include daycare, playgroup, or language playhouse.
First, priority rule 1 is applied, and when there are still places left, priority rule 2 is applied.
The priority rules do not guarantee that your child will actually be placed.
Drawing lots
Once the priority rules have been applied, a school lottery will take place if there are more applications than available places. This lottery occurs in the first week after the application period closes. If your child is not selected in the lottery, we will immediately check for availability at the second (and if necessary, third) school you have specified.
In June and December, additional lottery rounds are held at schools where places have become available. This offers a chance for a better placement. For more information, please see the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Step 4 - To school
After placement, you will receive a letter and a registration form from the school where your child has been placed. After you have returned the registration form, your child is officially registered.
From the age of four, your child can attend school!
