The objective of ECEC (Early Childhood Education and Care) is the prevention, early identification and reduction of language and education deficiencies in young children. Early childhood education is aimed at children between 2,5 to 4 years of age. It is carried out through childcare centers and playgroups. The responsibility lies at the municipal level. The municipalities decide whether or not a child is eligible for ECEC.

Municipalities receive a specific grant from the national government for ECEC. This grant is provided on the basis of the education level of parents. Municipalities can make their own decisions as to which children are eligible for ECEC, but the children must be at risk of developing a language deficiency in Dutch. This policy freedom helps municipalities to cater to their local situations.  There is also ECEC for children between 4 and 6 years (group 1 and 2 of the primary school). The responsibility for this lies with the primary schools. Education is compulsory from the age of 5, but children can already start primary education from the age of 4. The attainment targets for Primary Education apply.

Pedagogical workers in charge of a ECEC-group are required to possess sufficient knowledge, skills and competences to bring ECEC into practice. Every pedagogical worker must have received specific training in ECEC, such as a ECEC-oriented module in their initial education. If workers haven’t finished this module, they must be able to prove through a certificate that they have received ECEC-training otherwise (Besluit basisvoorwaarden kwaliteit voorschoolse educatie) (only in Dutch available).

The Inspectorate  of Education monitors whether municipalities have made proper arrangements for ECEC.