Blog ·
New in the Netherlands: finding a reliable Nanny in Amstelveen or The Hague
Written by Naomi Plijnaar, Founder TFA
Moving to the Netherlands brings a great deal that is new. A new job, a new home, a new school for the children and a country whose rules and customs you are still getting to know. Many international families settle in Amstelveen, close to the Zuidas business district and Schiphol, or in The Hague and Wassenaar, home to embassies, international organisations and head offices. One of the first questions is often: who will look after the children?
In this blog you will read what to look for when searching for a Nanny, how screening works, what an employment contract with the family involves and how The Family Assistant helps you along the way.
When you have only just arrived in the Netherlands, you have no network to fall back on yet. There are no neighbours to recommend a babysitter, Dutch childcare is unfamiliar territory and you may not speak the language yet. At the same time, your children are going through a big change of their own. A familiar face who is there every week gives them something to hold on to at a time when so much is new.
That is exactly why it pays not to rush the choice of a Nanny. The right person becomes a true part of your family, even if she does not live with you.
- Qualifications: a childcare related diploma, for example as a childcare professional, nurse or teaching assistant, or a teacher training degree.
- Experience with children the same age as yours.
- A first aid certificate for children and babies.
- Language: does she speak good English, and are you looking for someone who can support a multilingual upbringing?
- Local knowledge: does she know her way to schools, sports clubs and local services?
- Personality: does she suit the energy, habits and values of your family?
That last point is often underestimated. Experience and availability matter, but personality, talents and energy decide whether someone is truly the right fit.
A pleasant first meeting does not tell you everything. Calling references, checking qualifications and requesting a Dutch certificate of conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, or VOG) takes a lot of time. And when you are new to the country, you do not always know what to look out for.
At TFA, we take all of this off your hands. We select every candidate personally and screen them on, among other things, at least two references, a VOG, qualifications and first aid. Our Nannies also complete the TFA Academy, with modules on subjects such as parenting, child development, etiquette and discretion.
A Nanny through TFA is employed by the family, on a contract for a fixed number of hours of at least 30 hours a week. That makes you the employer. Your Nanny is covered by social insurance, continues to be paid when she is ill and is entitled to annual leave and holiday pay. Many Nannies work under the Dutch scheme for domestic services, so a full employment contract is far from a given. It brings clarity and continuity, for you and for her. If you wish, we help you draw up the employment contract.
Our Nannies live in their own homes and come at agreed times. A permanent Nanny is therefore perfectly feasible if you live in an apartment and have no spare room.
- An introductory phone call, followed by an intake meeting about your family and your wishes, in English or in Dutch.
- Within six weeks of confirming your search, you receive the CVs of suitable candidates.
- We schedule the interviews, then we evaluate together and a trial day follows.
- Once there is a definite click, you offer an employment contract, and we are happy to help if you wish.
- We get in touch one week after the start, then evaluate after three weeks, six months and ten months.
A Nanny or Family Assistant can also help you find your way in practical matters, such as municipality procedures, healthcare registrations or finding the right school. Read more on our page for expats and international families.
Do you live in Amstelveen, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel or Aalsmeer? Then read more about finding a Nanny in Amstelveen. For families in The Hague, Wassenaar, Voorschoten and Leiden, we have a separate page about a Nanny in The Hague and Wassenaar.
Have you just moved, or is your move coming up soon? Do get in touch, without any obligation. We would be glad to discuss what your family needs.
