Use the first 30 days for observation, not diagnosis
If the goal is to function perfectly at a new school from the start, small stumbles can look like big problems. It is easier to think of the first 30 days as a period for recording what your child understands and what they do not.
You do not need to ask about everything every day. Once a week, it is enough to note what went well this week, which task got stuck and what feedback the teacher gave.
Separate the language of instruction from the language of subject learning
Being able to hold an everyday conversation does not always mean understanding the words used in textbooks and tasks. Conversely, a child may understand the concept of a subject but take a long time to read the question in Dutch or English.
If a child can calculate in maths but cannot read word problems, or understands the science but cannot write an explanation, look separately at the subject content and the language skill it needs.
Understand the role of education for recently arrived children
| Municipality | Age | Guidance if the child does not yet speak Dutch |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Primary education age | A route with extra Dutch support in a newcomer group |
| Amsterdam | Secondary education age | An international transition class that centres on Dutch as a second language, alongside subjects such as maths and English |
| Amstelveen | 6 to 12 | A language school called a taalschool is described |
| Amstelveen | 12 to 18 | ISK is described |
The Amsterdam School Finder describes a route in primary education in which a newcomer group gives extra Dutch support. For secondary education, it says the international transition class focuses on Dutch as a second language while also covering subjects such as maths and English. The municipality of Amstelveen also describes language schools and ISK for recently arrived children, by age.
That these arrangements exist is separate from your own child's particular difficulties. Before adding a tutor, check which support the school already provides. Rather than repeating the same thing at home, it is easier to keep the purpose clear by filling what the school leaves short. The whole list of things to check after moving is in the learning support checklist for families moving to the Netherlands.
Your child may not be used to the task format
Even when a child understands the content, not being used to the format of a task can keep it from showing in the result. For example, explaining ideas in long text, writing a reflection after group work, comparing sources to give an opinion, or submitting against assessment criteria: the format asked for differs from school to school.
First look at one recent piece of homework or a submission, and check where your child is stuck: the content, the instructions, the submission format or the assessment criteria.
You do not have to continue all of the learning for Japan
Right after changing schools, adapting to the new school alone is a heavy load. If you want to continue Eiken, Japanese, maths or entrance exam preparation, you do not have to keep all of them at the same intensity.
Based on any plan to return, any exam plans and your child's energy, divide them into what to keep now, what to bring back in a few months, and what to pause for now. How to think about continuing Eiken from the Netherlands is set out in continuing Eiken while living in the Netherlands.
What to check over 30 days
Talk to the school before choosing a tutor
Once you find the subject that is causing trouble, also ask the school about your child's current understanding and the support they have. If a teacher or support staff can handle it, using that support first can be the more natural choice.
On the other hand, support outside school can help if you want to sort out schoolwork in Japanese, rebuild the basics of a particular subject, or continue Japanese exams. What to check before looking for a tutor is in 8 things to check before looking for a tutor in Amsterdam.
Summary
What matters right after moving to a Dutch school is not to rush to judge whether your child fits or can keep up. Observing the language of instruction, the language of subject learning, subject content, task formats, newcomer support and learning for Japan separately makes the support needed easier to see.
A clear order is to keep records for the first 30 days, check the school's support, and then combine study at home or a tutor for what remains.
