Childcare and school systems
In Belgium, children typically start school at the age of 2.5 years. Before that, many children attend childcare facilities, known as "crèches" or "nurseries," which provide early care and development. The school system is structured to gradually prepare children for primary education, beginning with preschool (also called kindergarten), which is an important part of a child’s early learning journey.
Babysitters and nannies
If you're relocating to Brussels with children, there are reliable options available for babysitters and nannies, whether you need occasional support or regular care. Several platforms help you find screened caregivers, and you’ll also find guidance on contracts, legal considerations, and what to expect in terms of services and payment.
Childcare
In Belgium, children typically start school at the age of 2.5 years. Before that, many children attend childcare facilities, known as "crèches" or "nurseries," which provide early care and development.
If you're planning to move to Brussels or Flanders, apply for a spot as early as possible—ideally as soon as your relocation is confirmed. Spaces are limited, especially in large cities like Brussels and Antwerp, and waiting lists are common. Prices are reasonable compared to other countries, and are based on your income or have a fixed fee (in private childcare).
See below for more info.
Types of childcare in Belgium
Group Care (aka Daycare Centre/Crèche/Kribbe/Kinderopvang)
Larger facilities with multiple childcare workers, usually in a dedicated building. Children are grouped into units of max. 18, with no more than 9 per caregiver (stricter ratios by 2027).
Home-Based Childcare (aka Family Care/Onthaalmoeder/Accueillante d’enfants)
Small-scale care usually provided in the caregiver’s home, often by one person. Max. 8 children present, with a target of 4.
For School-Age Children (aka Naschoolse opvang/Accueil Extrascolaire)
Before and after-school care is available via schools (often until 18h), certified preschools, or registered group/family care providers. During holidays, many cities and towns offer cultural, sports, or leisure activities. The structure and availability depend on your local municipality.
Reservation childcare spot
If you're planning to move to Brussels or Flanders, apply for a spot as early as possible—ideally as soon as your relocation is confirmed. Spaces are limited, especially in large cities like Brussels and Antwerp, and waiting lists are common. Prices are reasonable compared to other countries, and are based on your income or have a fixed fee (in private childcare).
Childcare in Flanders (and Brussels)Â
You can look up addresses of childcare settings or you can also ask the local authorities, and certain Huizen van het Kind (Children’s Centres), the Flemish Service for Employment and Vocational Training (VDAB), the public social welfare centre (OCMW), etc.
Childcare in Brussels: reserve a spot
Looking for childcare in Brussels? The website Kinderopvang in Brussel offers clear information (in English) on available childcare options for babies and toddlers, including crèches (group care), family-based care, and how to register.
Learn more information on daycare in Brussels and how to apply for a spot.
Childcare center- VUB advantage
VUB has two childcare centres, one in Etterbeek and one in Jette. Altogether, we can take care of more than 170 children aged 0 to 3. Subject to availability, our daycare centres are open to everyone, but priority is given to children of students and staff members from VUB, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and the VUB hospital UZ Brussels.
Learn more information on practicalities of the daycare of VUB.
The school system in Brussels (and Flanders)
Even if compulsory education starts at 5, as of the age of 2.5 years old, almost all children attend school. As a parent, you are free to choose the school where you register your child. The school around the corner or one further away? A private school or an official (public) one? Religiously associated, or ideologically neutral? It’s up to you. However, you must consent to the school’s teaching methodology and regulations when you enrol your child.
Compulsory education in Belgium
Compulsory education means parents have to make sure their children receive education. The federal government determines the duration of compulsory education for the whole of Belgium.
Compulsory education does not mean compulsory school attendance. To comply with compulsory education, you have 2 options:
- You can register your child in a school.
- You opt for home education. You must notify the Flemish Ministry for Education and Training of this in writing.
Beginning and end dates of compulsory education
A child becomes subject to compulsory education on 1 September of the calender year in which they become 5 years old.
Compulsory education lasts for a maximum of twelve entire school years. Compulsory education ends:
- on the 18th birthday, for pupils becoming 18 years on or before 30 June,
- on 30 June, for pupils becoming 18 years after that date. These pupils do not have to start a new school year.
- or as soon as a pupil obtains the diploma of secondary education, even if they are only 16 at that time for example.
As of the age of 15 or 16 years, pupils can do part-time learning and working in order to comply with compulsory education.
Are children with a foreign nationality subject to compulsory education?
All children residing in Belgium are subject to compulsory education from the sixtieth day after their registration in the municipality.
Children without official residence documents also have the right to register in a school. A school does not have the right to refuse them on those grounds.
Can children with limited command of Dutch attend the first year?
Pupils must have followed a minimum number of half days in Dutch-language nursery education during the previous school year before they can attend the first year of Dutch-language primary education. If their attendance did not meet this condition, they have to undergo a language test to prove they have sufficient understanding of Dutch.
This does not mean the compulsory education age is brought down, but in practice there will be children who have to go to school a year earlier.
Reception education for non-native newcomers
Reception education for non-native newcomers (in Dutch: anderstaligen) is designed for pupils who have recently arrived in the country and do not yet have sufficient knowledge of Dutch. Its aim Is to help them acquire the language as quickly as possible and support their integration into both the classroom environment and wider society.
Who are the non-native newcomers?
Non-native newcomer pupils are children and youngsters who have recently moved and who have not been living long in Belgium and who do not have sufficient knowledge of Dutch. Children who come to Belgium through family reunification or Children of employees of international organizations based in Belgium are also a part of this group.
Learn more information on Reception education for non-native newcomers.This website is only available in Dutch. We advise to activate your translation tool via Google Chrome.
School search
International School in Brussels
On the website below you will find all the key information about the 27 International Schools in Brussels, Belgium: Extracurricular activies, if teachers are native, class sizes, fees, school bus availability, etc.
Learn more information here about the international schools in Brussels
Schools in Brussels
The website is part of the “Onderwijs in Brussel” (Education in Brussels) portal. The school search tool is focused on: elementary education, secondary education, learning and working, special elementary education, special secondary education and part-time education.
It provides a comprehensive directory of Dutch-speaking schools in the Brussels-Capital Region. The tool lists 178 Dutch-speaking elementary schools across various municipalities in Brussels.
Search filters to be applied when consulting the link above
- Municipality: Filter schools by specific areas such as Anderlecht, Brussels City, Elsene, and others.
- Educational Network: Choose between different types of school governance, including:
- GO! Onderwijs van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap (Flemish Community Education)
- Gesubsidieerd Vrij Onderwijs (Subsidized Free Education)
- Gesubsidieerd Officieel Onderwijs (Subsidized Official Education)
- Teaching Method: Select schools based on pedagogical approaches like Freinet or Steiner methods.
- Grade Level: Search for schools offering specific grades, from preschool to the sixth year of primary education.
- School Listings: Each entry includes the school's name, address, and a brief description, aiding in the selection process.
Enrollment information 2025-2026
More details on the enrollment process in Dutch-speaking schools in Brussels can be found in the PDF: