Utrecht will let children start pre-school from the moment they turn two, rather than at two and a half, from 1 January 2027. On the same date pre-school becomes free in Kanaleneiland, as it already is in Overvecht. The city links more accessible pre-school to tackling educational disadvantage and inequality between neighbourhoods.

What changes

At present, children in Utrecht can attend pre-school from the age of 2.5. From 2027 there will be more capacity for toddlers aged 2 to 2.5. The council says the two measures put plans from its new coalition agreement into practice. Not all pre-schools will be ready for two-year-olds straight away; some locations need to adapt their rooms or hours, for example with play materials for toddlers and a suitable programme. The city’s pre-school page says the offer will grow during 2027.

Who pays nothing

Pre-school is free in some cases. Under the city’s conditions it is free for:

  • parents with a U-pas, anywhere in Utrecht;
  • families living in Overvecht whose child attends pre-school there;
  • from 1 January 2027, families in Kanaleneiland;
  • refugees, status holders, asylum seekers or foreigners living in an asylum seekers’ centre, and displaced people such as Ukrainians who receive a living allowance.

Other parents pay part of the cost, depending on their income. If a child has a pre-school referral and attends 16 hours, 6 hours are free and the cost of the other 10 hours depends on income. Working parents can get part of the money back as childcare allowance, but not for the free hours. “In Utrecht we invest unequally for equal opportunities,” said Dennis de Vries, alderman for Youth and Education.

How it works and what comes next

Pre-school is open to children with and without a referral from the child health clinic (JGZ). Children without a referral can attend two part-day sessions, and children with a referral three or four sessions (maximum 16 hours). Parents can register a child from the age of 1.5, which makes it likely that a place is available when the child turns 2. Existing trials with children aged 2 to 2.5 attracted more than enough interest, and many groups are full.

The annual Pre-school Day takes place on Wednesday 14 October, when Utrecht parents and their children can visit pre-schools run by Kind&co ludens, gro-up and Basker.