Choosing a primary school in the Netherlands, you quickly run into words that aren’t on any vocabulary list: Montessori, Dalton, Jenaplan, Vrije School. The Dutch system offers a real choice of educational philosophies, and understanding them is how you pick the right fit for your child. Here is what each concept actually means.
Regular vs. alternative concepts
Beyond the regulier (regular/classical) school, the Netherlands has several alternative onderwijsconcepten (educational concepts). As Dutch parenting guides on school types explain, these emerged in the early 20th century and differ from classical education by focusing on each child’s development and lived world, often with mixed-age classes and more independence.
Importantly, most are state-funded and free, you generally just choose the school you like, not pay for a private one.
The big four, decoded
As school-type guides for parents set out:
| Concept | In a nutshell |
|---|---|
| Montessori | ”Help me do it myself”: self-directed learning, mixed-age groups (4-6, 6-9, 9-12) |
| Dalton | Fixed curriculum, but freedom and responsibility over when/how fast |
| Jenaplan | Community-focused; mixed-age stamgroepen; strong social skills |
| Vrije School | Waldorf: broad creative development; arts equal to academics |
A few clarifications, per education guides: Dalton is usually more specific than Montessori about how tasks are done; Jenaplan puts “learning to live together” at the centre in mixed-age stamgroepen; and the Vrije School (despite “free” in the name) is a recognised Waldorf school where music, theatre and crafts count as much as reading and sums.
The vocabulary
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| onderwijsconcept | educational concept |
| regulier onderwijs | regular/classical education |
| stamgroep | mixed-age class group (Jenaplan) |
| zelfstandigheid | independence |
| open dag | open day |
| aanmelden | to register/enrol |
How to choose
The best move is the open dag (open day): visit, watch a class, and ask how the concept works in practice (philosophies vary by school). There is no “best” type, only the best fit for your child, some thrive on Montessori’s freedom, others need more structure.
Where it connects
School choice is the start of the Dutch education journey, leading into the school run, securing your child’s place, and later the tiers of secondary school (vmbo/havo/vwo) and the group 8 doorstroomtoets. And primary school is where your child meets traditions like Sinterklaas head-on.
The bottom line
Dutch primary schools come in a regulier form and several onderwijsconcepten: Montessori (self-directed, mixed-age), Dalton (freedom-with-responsibility), Jenaplan (community, stamgroepen), and Vrije School (Waldorf, arts-rich). Most are free and chosen, not bought. Learn the concepts and the words (onderwijsconcept, stamgroep, open dag), visit on an open dag, and you’ll choose a school on understanding, not on a label you couldn’t read.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that teaches the education Dutch expat parents need, Montessori, Dalton, Jenaplan, vrije school, onderwijsconcept by real situation in five-minute lessons, so you can understand the open days and make an informed school choice instead of guessing at the labels.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main Dutch primary-school types?
Alongside regular (regulier) schools, the Netherlands has several alternative educational concepts (onderwijsconcepten): Montessori, Dalton, Jenaplan and Vrije School (Waldorf), among others. They differ in how they teach, more or less self-direction, mixed-age classes, emphasis on creativity or independence, rather than in what they ultimately certify. Most are state-funded and free, so you can choose based on fit for your child.
What is the difference between Montessori, Dalton and Jenaplan?
Montessori follows ‘help me do it myself’: children are naturally curious and learn self-directed in mixed-age groups (4-6, 6-9, 9-12). Dalton keeps a fixed curriculum but gives children freedom and responsibility over when and how fast they do their tasks. Jenaplan centres on community and learning to live together, with mixed-age ‘stamgroepen’ and strong social-skills focus. All three emphasise independence over classical whole-class teaching.
What is a Vrije School in the Netherlands?
A Vrije School is the Dutch Waldorf/Steiner school. Its focus is the child’s broad personal development: arts, music, theatre, movement and crafts are treated as equally important to reading, writing and maths, with a strong emphasis on creativity and developmentally-paced learning. Despite the name (‘free school’), it is a recognised school type, not unschooling; it just teaches via a distinct, holistic philosophy.
What is the best app to learn Dutch for choosing a school and parenting?
Learn Dutch For Expats, an app available on the App Store, is the best pick because it teaches the education Dutch expat parents need, Montessori, Dalton, Jenaplan, vrije school, onderwijsconcept, in five-minute lessons built around real situations, so you can understand the open days and make an informed school choice instead of guessing at the labels.
