Groep 1 to 8: How the Dutch Primary School System Works for Expat Families

The Dutch primary school system looks nothing like what you know from home. There's no "first grade" or "Year 3" — it's Groep 1 through Groep 8.

Your 5-year-old isn't in "kindergarten" but in "Groep 2." And the whole thing lasts 8 years, not 6.

Here's the complete guide so you can finally make sense of it all.

Groep 1 to 8: The Full Structure

Groep	Age	Equivalent	Focus
Groep 1	4-5	Pre-K / Reception	Play-based learning, social skills, fine motor development
Groep 2	5-6	Kindergarten / Year 1	Play-based learning, letter recognition, counting, sharing
Groep 3	6-7	1st Grade / Year 2	Formal reading and writing begin, basic math
Groep 4	7-8	2nd Grade / Year 3	Reading fluency, multiplication, nature studies
Groep 5	8-9	3rd Grade / Year 4	Reading comprehension, fractions introduced, history, geography
Groep 6	9-10	4th Grade / Year 5	Complex math, English introduced, independent work
Groep 7	10-11	5th Grade / Year 6	Preparation for secondary school, CITO practice tests
Groep 8	11-12	6th Grade / Year 7	CITO test, school advice (schooladvies), secondary school selection

Groep 1 & 2: It's All About Play

This surprises many expat parents: Groep 1 and 2 are strictly play-based.

Children don't sit at desks doing worksheets. They build with blocks, paint, play in the sandbox, and learn through structured play activities.

This is extremely intentional. The Dutch philosophy is that children learn foundational skills — sharing, listening, fine motor control, spatial awareness — through play, not drills.

Report cards for Groep 1 and 2 focus strongly on social-emotional development, not academic scores.

Groep 3: The Big Shift

Groep 3 is when formal learning really begins. Children learn to read, write, and do basic arithmetic.

If your child is transitioning from Groep 2 to 3, expect a big change — it's the Dutch equivalent of "starting real school."

Report cards from Groep 3 onward will include subject ratings using the 5-point scale: Zwak (1) to Goed (5). See our guide on what voldoende means to understand these grades.

Groep 8: The Decision Year

Groep 8 is the most important year in Dutch primary education. Two critical things happen:

1. The CITO Toets

A standardized test (usually in February) that measures reading, language, and math. Results are scored on a scale of 500-550:

• 545-550: VWO recommendation (pre-university)
• 537-544: HAVO recommendation (general secondary)
• 524-536: VMBO-TL/GL recommendation
• Below 524: VMBO-BB/KB recommendation (vocational)

2. The Schooladvies

This is the teacher's recommendation for secondary school. This carries far more weight than the CITO score.

It's based on years of observation: work habits, motivation, independence, and academic performance. The schooladvies can be a single level (e.g., "HAVO") or a combined level (e.g., "HAVO/VWO"), which gives the child room to grow.

Types of Dutch Primary Schools

Not all basisscholen are the same:

• Openbaar (Public) — Standard curriculum, no religious affiliation
• Montessori — Child-led learning, mixed-age groups, "Kosmische Vorming" instead of traditional subjects
• Jenaplan — Family-style groups, emphasis on dialogue, play, work, and celebration
• Dalton — Focus on independence, responsibility, and collaboration
• Internationaal — Bilingual or English-track programs for international families

Each type may format report cards differently, but the grading scale is generally the same.

Understanding Report Cards

Report cards arrive twice per year (sometimes three times). They contain star ratings, section headings, and teacher comments — all entirely in Dutch.

For a complete breakdown, read our Dutch Report Card Explained guide. Or better yet, skip the study and translate yours instantly with ReportKaart.