ACCESS NL > Features > Find Your Place to Grow: A Guide to the Early Years at The British School in the Netherlands
Find Your Place to Grow: A Guide to the Early Years at The British School in the Netherlands
2025/12/04 | By The British School in the Netherlands | Photo by The British School in the Netherlands
Small steps to independence. Big steps to progress.
Starting school is an exciting milestone, and for families, it’s also a big step into a new world. At The British School in the Netherlands (BSN), our Early Years programme for children aged 3–5 is built around a single, powerful belief: when children feel safe, seen, and supported, they thrive as curious, capable learners.
Since 1931, we’ve been a second home for families from across the globe, providing a warm, language-rich setting where curiosity takes root and a true love of learning begins.
A Calm, Confident Start for Your Child
A positive start can shape a child’s entire school experience. That’s why our experienced team plans a personal induction for every new child, ensuring they feel secure, and parents feel supported from day one.
- A Personal Welcome: Before the first day, you’ll meet the teacher to share your child’s unique personality and needs, so we can plan the best possible start together.
- A Gentle First Week: Children gradually build up to full-day attendance. If your child needs a little more time to settle, we’ll adapt the plan with you.
- Joining Mid-Year? We create an individual induction for every child who joins us during the school year, ensuring a smooth and happy transition into their new class.
- Entry points: Foundation 1 (ages 3-4) join as soon as your child turns three; early-entry pupils remain in F1 the following September. Foundation 2 (ages 4-5) children must be four by 1 September.
The BSN Early Years Difference
- Your Child is Seen and Known: In our small classes, every child is known and valued. Our teachers notice their unique interests and shape learning around them, creating countless “I did it!” moments that build self-esteem and resilience.
- Joyful, Purposeful Play: Play is the joyful, serious work of early childhood. Through hands-on activities-building, role-playing, singing, and exploring, children develop social skills and practise early literacy and numeracy in an engaging way that is fun.
- A Welcoming Global Community: We are a community that celebrates many languages and perspectives. We support children learning English while valuing their home languages, because we know that keeping your personal language is part of feeling at home (and supports your child’s language development).
Building the Foundations of Confidence and Compassion
Feeling safe, valued, and capable is the foundation of learning. In our Early Years programme, we help children to:
- Build positive friendships and connect with trusted adults.
- Respect differences and learn how to include others.
- Share, take turns, and collaborate in small and larger groups.
- Name and manage feelings with gentle adult guidance.
- Celebrate their effort and the small successes that grow confidence.
In our Early Years, children enjoy gentle routines and welcoming circle times, alongside opportunities to take responsibility and grow in independence. Throughout the day, trusted adults provide calm guidance and reassurance, helping children feel secure and confident as they learn and thrive.
Spaces that Spark Awe and Wonder
Our bright, welcoming learning spaces, both indoors and out, are designed to encourage choice, collaboration, and curiosity. Beyond the classroom, your child’s world will expand as they enjoy:
- Forest School sessions to build resilience and a love for nature.
- Music and PE lessons with specialist teachers to develop rhythm, coordination, and confidence.
- Library time to grow a lifelong love of books.
- Dutch language and culture activities and events to strengthen their connection to the Netherlands.
A Confident Path Forward
We follow the guidance of England’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), ensuring a rich and balanced approach to learning with a focus on the three Prime Areas – communication and language, personal, social, and emotional development, and physical development – alongside literacy, mathematics, expressive arts and design, and understanding the world. This globally respected approach ensures we focus on the areas most crucial for a young child’s development, providing a confident start to the BSN’s British and international pathway and preparing your child for a future of rich opportunities as they grow through the school.
You’re Invited: See the Joy of Learning for Yourself
The best way to understand the awe and wonder of our Early Years programme is to see it in person. We warmly invite you to explore the BSN in a way that works best for your family.
Ready to take the next step?
Arrange a Personal Tour: For a one-on-one visit tailored to your family’s questions and schedule.
For more information about International Education in the Netherlands click here.
