This is how care for your child from age 0 to 4 works
Do you have a child from 0 to 4 years old? If so, your child will receive free care from the health clinic. The health clinic also gives parents advice on their children's health.
Here is what the health clinic does for you and your child
Youth nurses and paediatricians work at the health clinic. They check if your child is developing well. If necessary, they will refer your child to a GP or specialist. You are not obliged to go to the health clinic and follow the advice. In the Netherlands most people do use these clinics and their advice.
Your child can also get vaccinations at the health clinic. In the Netherlands, there is a government vaccination programme. This is called the National Vaccination Programme. The purpose of this programme is to protect your child from infectious diseases with vaccinations. This programme is a government recommendation, but not mandatory. As a parent, you can choose whether your child gets the vaccinations. In the Netherlands, most parents have their children vaccinated.
Do you have questions about nutrition, sleep and your child's development? Then you can also ask them at the health clinic. The clinic is also there to advise parents about their children.
You will automatically be assigned a health clinic
After the birth of your child, you will automatically receive an invitation for an appointment with the health clinic. If you register your baby with the municipality after birth, the health clinic will be notified automatically. An employee of the clinic will then contact you and invite you for a first appointment.
You can go to your first appointment when your child is about 4 weeks old. With the invitation you will also receive a letter with information about vaccinations in the Netherlands. If you have not received a letter, you can contact a health clinic in your municipality. If you cannot find one, ask your contact at the municipality to help you look for one.
The health clinic can also help your child learn Dutch faster
Does your child not yet speak the Dutch language (well)? Then you can get a recommendation at a health clinic for preschool and early childhood education (VVE). VVE allows your child to attend a playgroup or childcare centre more often. The costs are then often largely reimbursed by the municipality. The purpose of VVE is to better prepare children with language difficulties for primary school.