Working in childcare
Do you hold a diploma from an EEA member state Link opent externe pagina or Switzerland, and would you like to work indefinitely in childcare in the Netherlands? If so, you need to apply for recognition of your foreign professional qualification.
If you would like to work in childcare occasionally or temporarily, you need to register this intention.
Conditions
- You hold an EEA Link opent externe pagina or Swiss residency permit.
- Your diploma was issued in an EEA member state or Switzerland.
- Your diploma is geared towards working with children and their development.
- You are eligible to work in childcare in the country your diploma was issued.
You will find the full terms and conditions in the Algemene wet erkenning EU-beroepskwalificaties (link in Dutch) Link opent externe pagina .
For which occupations?
You need to register or apply for recognition for the following occupations:
- childminder
- childcare employee (day-care and out-of-school care)
- out-of-school care employee
- pre-school education employee
You may also be eligible to work in the following professions, if you meet the language requirement (English, German, or French).
- multilingual childcare employee (multilingual day-care or out-of-school care)
- multilingual out-of-school care employee
Whether you meet the language requirement, will be assessed by the employers and supervisors (GGD). For more information on the language requirement, go to article 7a. and article 9aa. of the Regeling Wet kinderopvang (link in Dutch) Link opent externe pagina .
What to send with your application?
- copy of your diploma and list of grades of the programme geared towards working in childcare
- sworn translations of these documents if they are not in Dutch, English, or German
- copy of your passport or ID
- chronological survey of your training and work experience
- if available, a copy of a programme in higher education taught in English, German, or French
- if available, a VOG (statement about behaviour) for the position of childminder or employee, no older than 3 months
- if available, a copy of an IDW diploma assessment
Apply or register
Apply for recognition of your professional qualification online. Submit all requested supporting documents.
Apply with a form
If you cannot apply for recognition of your professional qualification online, use the 'Recognition of EU professional childcare qualifications' form instead.
Register temporary or occasional work in childcare
If you would like to work in childcare occasionally or temporarily, please use the ‘Temporary or occasional services of EU professional qualifications for childcare employees’ form to register.
What happens next
- DUO will verify your diploma with the relevant authorities in the country where your diploma was issued.
- If we cannot verify your diploma, we will ask you for a statement from your foreign educational institution. It must state which study program you have completed.
- We will inform you of our decision.
- If we reject your application or registration, you can lodge an objection.
Free
Recognition of your foreign professional qualification or registration of temporary or occasional work in childcare is free.
Contact
Please contact the Diploma Services Department if you have any questions. You can call us on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on +31 50 599 77 78. Or send an email to diplomaservices@duo.nl.