Family Resources Directory
Moving to Almere with kids? This comprehensive guide walks you through everything from school enrolment and childcare options to finding the right pediatrician and discovering family-friendly activities. Get the practical information you need to help your family settle into life in Almere.
LIFE IN THE NETHERLANDS
Expat Info Almere
9/15/20253 min read
GOVERNMENT & OFFICIALS
Government and official websites are your first point of contact. Being proactive by regularly checking their websites or subscribe to their newsletter is one of the many ways to take care of our personal and family legal requirements.
RDW - Foreign license exchange
Municipal/Gemeente Services
Immigration & Legal Status
Driving License
CBR - Dutch driving license
EDUCATION RESOURCES
Resources to understand and navigate the Dutch education system with practical links for Almere
School op kaarten - search primary and secondary schools in Almere (in Dutch)
Inspectie van het Onderwijs - search read inspection reports (in Dutch)
Dutch Education System 101
School Search & Enrolment in Almere
Pre-schools in Almere
Passend Onderwijs Almere - learning support (in Dutch)
Taalcentrum Almere - Dutch learning support (in Dutch)
International School Almere - International Baccalaureate (IB) School, English education. Programmes: PYP, MYP, CP, and DP.
Bilingual/TTO programme at De Meergronden - International Baccalaureate (IB) and Anglia diploma
CHILDCARE
Explore childcare options in Almere and in the Netherlands
Daycare Centers (Ages 0-4)
Go Kinderopvang Almere - www.go-kinderopvang.nl
National chain with branches in Almere, English-speaking staffPartou - www.partou.nl
National chain with Almere branches, some English-speaking staffRIANT Kinderopvang - www.riantkinderopvang.nl
Check LRK to find more childcares in Almere (in Dutch)
After-School Care (Ages 4-12)
BSO providers - Most childcares also offer VSO (voorschool opvang/early morning childcare) and NSO (naschool opvang/after school childcare). Primary schools have on-site or partnered programs with childcares.
Always check with the school for accurate information.
Home-Based Care
Childminder/Gastouderbureau - www.gastouderbureaubijmonique.nl,
Vetted childminders, smaller groups, home environmentAu pair agencies - For families needing live-in help
Finding Quality Childcare
GGD quality ratings - check official safety and quality scores
Waiting lists - apply 6-12 months in advance for popular centres
Visit multiple options - tour facilities before deciding
Financial Support
Belastingdienst - www.belastingdienst.nl
Childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag), subsidy varies depending on household incomeSVB - www.svb.nl - child benefits (kinderbijslag), automatic quarterly payments
Contact Belastingdienst and SVB for accurate information.
Emergency & Backup Care
Flexible daycare - Drop-in services for irregular schedules. Check with your childcare providers.
Babysitting services - Evening and weekend care options
Family emergency support - www.jgzalmere.nl
HEALTHCARE
Curated resources and links to navigate healthcare in Almere and the Netherlands
Hospitals & Emergency Care
Ziekenhuis Flevoland - www.ziekenhuisflevoland.nl
Hospitaalweg 1, 1315 RA Almere
Phone: 036 - 865 8888Emergency Services: 112
Police, fire department, ambulance
Family Doctors (Huisartsen)
Find GP practices/huisartsenpraktijk in Almere - www.zorgkaartnederland.nl
Check your neighbourhood
Pediatric Care
Consultatiebureaus - Regular check-ups and vaccination for children 0-4 years
JGZ Flevoland - www.jgzflevoland.nl
Youth healthcare services, school health programs
Dental Care
Find dental care in Almere - www.zorgkaartnederland.nl
Dental school clinic ACTA, Amsterdam - www.acta.nl
TRANSPORTATION
Essential information about transportation for everyone
Public Transport
Allgobus/Keolis - www.allgobus.nl / www.keolis.nl
Bus services within Almere and to AmsterdamNS - www.ns.nl
Train services, OV-chipkaart information9292 - www.9292.nl
Trip planner for all public transportOV-chipkaart (anonymous, personalised) for payment in bus, train, metro, and tram. For more information, go to www.ov-chipkaart.nl
Public transport payment with debit and credit card is available
Ticket purchase in the bus is available
Cycling
Bike Rental - VVV or NS at Almere Centrum Station
Cycling Maps - Fietsroutes in de buurt van Almere
Driving
RDW - www.rdw.nl
License exchange, vehicle registrationANWB - www.anwb.nl
Roadside assistance, driving courses
TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATION
Internet & Phone
KPN - www.kpn.com
Internet, phone, and TV servicesZiggo - www.ziggo.nl
Cable internet and televisionMobile providers - KPN, Vodafone, T-Mobile
Banking
ING - www.ing.nl
ABN AMRO - www.abnamro.nl
Rabobank - www.rabobank.nl
More options: Triodos, bunq, KNAB, Revolut, SNS, ASN
EMERGENCY & IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Emergency Services
Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 112
Non-emergency Police: 0900-8844
Poison Control: 030-274 8888
Municipal Services
Gemeente Almere: 14 036
Water emergency: 0800-0210
Gas emergency: 0800-8080
Utilities
Liander (electricity): 0800-9009
Waternet: 0900-9394
Healthcare Helplines
Huisartsenpost (after hours): 088-130 3600
Mental health crisis: 0800-0113 (free, 24/7)
USEFUL APPS & WEBSITES
General
9292 - Public transport planning
NS Reisplanner
Buienradar - Weather forecasts
Google Translate - Essential for daily interactions
Tikkie - social cost sharing
Government Services
DigiD app - secure government login
MijnOverheid - personal government communications
Berichtenbox - centralised official written communications
Shopping & Services
Too Good To Go - reduce food waste, discounted meals
Marktplaats - second-hand marketplace
Albert Heijn app - grocery shopping and delivery
Vinted - secondhand products
Marktplaats - secondhand products
Social Deal - discounts and promotions for restaurants, sports, and recreations
Connecting People
Nextdoor - Neighborhood social network
Facebook local groups
WhatsApp groups - various international community groups
Expat Info Almere
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