Health Matters for Toddlers
Understand the schedule of vaccinations and the child benefits that may be available to you...
Pregnancy in Holland involves the general practitioner (GP) (huisart) in the care of mother and baby. After birth the GP is still the first point of contact for the child’s general health. Family doctors are available Monday to Friday 08:00-17:00. In emergencies, take a child to the nearest hospital. Accident and Emergency departments are open 24-hours a day.
Immediately after birth, whether a child is born at home or in hospital, an aftercare programme called kraamzorg kicks in. This has to be booked during pregnancy as it is extremely popular. It allows that for a period of five to seven days a postnatal care nurse (kraamvezorgster) comes to the home to help with household tasks and caring for the baby.
Two weeks after the birth a district nurse from the Child Health Clinic (Consultatiebureau) visits the new mother and baby at home. The nurse gives advice on care and feeding and makes an appointment for the first visit to the clinic. The nurse also makes sure the mother has a record book to record her baby’s development, vaccinations and medical events.
From then on until the child reaches four years of age, the Child Health Clinic is available free of charge to help families. Most children and parents make regular visits in the first year and less frequent visits after that to allow for checks to be made on height, weight, development and for vaccinations.
The clinic also places great emphasis on the child/parent relationship and will make referrals to other support organisations if it believes there are serious problems.
Vaccinations
Vaccination periods are divided into three phases:
- Phase one: birth to 14 months
- Phase two: four years of age
- Phase three: nine years of age
The vaccines are given at approximately three months, four months, five months, eleven months, fourteen months, and four years. Reminders are sent by post.
- For details on the vaccines and the age they fall due, refer to this clear chart (in Dutch): Click here
When children reach five-and-a-half years of age parents are notified via mail to visit the juvenile doctor (jeugdarts) for a health check-up. When they reach ten years they receive notification to visit a nurse (jeugdverpleegkundige) at the Juvenile Health Care Centre (Jeugdgezondheidszorg/JGZ) in their school district. The notification includes an invitation, information and a survey. At 13 years of age, children in The Hague receive a check-up from a nurse at their high school. Vaccination records should be kept and provided at each health check-up. Vaccinations and appointments are provided free of charge.
The Juvenile Health Care Centre of the Public Health Department (GGD) provides guidance to parents and guardians in The Netherlands about the physical, emotional and psychological development of their children aged 4 to 19 years of age.
Tel: 020 555 5472
Tel: 070 353 7178 / 070 353 7181
Child Benefits
Child benefit (Kinderbijslag) is paid to anyone living or working in the Netherlands with children under the age of 18. Child benefit is paid quarterly at the end of each quarter.
Children born in the Netherlands must be registered with the municipal authorities at birth; an application form for child benefit will be issued automatically.
Parents who arrive in the Netherlands with children must apply for child benefit. Approach the local branch of the Dutch Social Insurance Information Centre (Sociale Verzekeringsbank – SVB).
- For more information see the SVB website (in English)