Children in the Netherlands begin primary school with considerable differences in their readiness. This is evident from an international study by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) among five-year-olds. The PO-Raad, the sector organization for primary education, is highlighting these findings because of their consequences for educational opportunities.
Unequal starting position
The OECD study, which compared the academic and cognitive skills of five-year-olds across different countries, shows that school readiness varies widely between children. These differences are not merely individual; they are linked to children's backgrounds, including parental education levels and home situations.
In the Netherlands, childcare and early childhood education (ECE or VVE) are intended to reduce these gaps. Children from families with a higher risk of language and developmental delays can receive extra support through ECE programs. Yet OECD figures show that inequality at the start of primary school remains substantial.
Role of childcare and ECE
The PO-Raad points to the importance of a smooth transition between childcare, ECE, and primary education. In the Netherlands, childcare is largely privatized and financed through a benefit system (kinderopvangtoeslag), while ECE programs mainly target vulnerable groups. This hybrid system can lead to fragmentation: not all children who would benefit from ECE actually receive that support.
The OECD has recommended in multiple reports that countries invest in high-quality early childhood years, as the period from zero to eight is crucial for further development. Disadvantages that emerge during this phase become increasingly difficult to overcome later on.
What does this mean for parents?
For parents, this research has several practical implications:
- Check your ECE entitlement: Parents with a language or developmental delay in the family, or with a low income, may be entitled to ECE. Check with your municipality or childcare organization whether your child qualifies.
- Quality of care matters: Not all childcare offers the same pedagogical climate. When choosing care, look at inspection reports and the range of stimulating activities.
- Home environment remains decisive: Beyond childcare, the home environment plays a major role. Reading, playing, and talking with your child contribute to school readiness.
- School choice and transition: When transitioning to primary school, it is valuable to discuss where your child stands with the new school, so any extra support can be put in place early.
The PO-Raad emphasizes that the OECD findings should provide momentum to further strengthen cooperation between childcare and education, so that more children begin primary school on an equal footing.