Winford Bilingual The Hague

Flexible Holidays

This flexible holiday schedule allows our families to take holidays throughout the academic year. In addition to these flexible days, the school is also closed four weeks in August, two weeks in December and for any National public holidays. This means that your vacation and travel schedule is not bound exclusively to the Dutch holiday schedule. Our families can choose the holiday travel dates that work best for them.

Parents can submit vacation requests every six weeks to correspond with the classrooms' work periods. Children may take up to 40 days spread out throughout per school year, in addition to the fixed days that the school is closed.

We advise a minimum of ten days per half-year: ten days between September and the end of February and ten days between March and the end of the school year.

The Classrooms

With two teachers in each classroom and no more than 20 children per class, we are able to focus closely on each individual child.

Our classrooms are:

Panda Class for children from 4 to 5 years old
The Panda classroom is a place where many of our children will take their first steps in the lifelong adventure of education. The main focus of the Panda class is developing vocabulary in Dutch and English, learning how to work in small groups, advancing practical life skills as well as promoting socialization through cooperative learning and play. We follow each individual child and let them begin with reading/writing when we see that they are interested and ready.

Zebra Class for children from 5 to 7 years old
The Zebras begin their academic journey in both languages with Montessori materials that put into practice the concepts of Maths, Writing, Reading, Geography, History, World Cultures, Practical Life, Peace Education, and Science. Students further explore each subject through excursions outside the classroom to community resources such as libraries, the Nemo Science Center, and museums. These trips are connected to our IPC themes to help deepen their understanding of each topic and how it relates to the world around them.

Giraffe Class for children from 7 to 9 years old
The Giraffe Classroom is designed to meet the needs of our evolving students; a need to question, a need to explore justice, and a need to go out into the world and understand their place within it. The pedagogical approach consists of individualized and small group lessons in both languages. Students participate in weekly homework assignments as well as project-based presentations that coordinate with their IPC themes. In this collaborative learning environment, children establish a deeper sense of community and increase their awareness of their place within it.

Eagle Class for children from 9 to 12 years old
The academic program in the Eagle class is structured in five-week terms completed with an enrichment/review in week six. The core curriculum areas, in both Dutch and English, are Language Arts, Mathematics, Sciences, History, Geography and Technology. In addition to this comprehensive curriculum, arts education, personal development, and life skills education are emphasized. The sixth week is a time for self-evaluation, critique, reflection and review. The combination of all these key components prepares our students for their next endeavors, be it a Dutch secondary school or International secondary school. Like most Dutch primary schools, our Eagle class takes part in a schooltuin (school garden) where they learn how to grow their own plants and vegetables. This is one of the many ways our children are immersed in Dutch culture and society.

Our school is a vibrant and productive place. Our aim is to create a stimulating environment where children’s innate curiosity and their enthusiasm for learning are nurtured and encouraged.

Our school day starts at 09:00 each day and we finish at 15:00.  Wednesdays are half day, when we end at 12:30.

Fees:
Our fees at Winford Bilingual are all inclusive. They cover testing fees in both languages, special exhibits, field trips, snacks and warm meals for each child.

Amsterdam Bilingual: The annual tuition for school year 2022-2023 is €20,300.

Haarlem Bilingual: The annual tuition for school year 2022-2023 is €15,900.

Payment Options:
The above school fees apply to payment in one installment, before 1 August 2022.
Payment in three installments is possible, but you pay 3% additional administration and interest costs. The terms expire on August 1, November 15 and February 1. For this option we ask you to issue a direct debit.
Enrollment after 1 August
It is very possible to enroll your child during the school year. The school fees are prorated depending when your child begins. Depending on when you start, payment in two installments may be possible (with additional administration and interest costs).

Family discount:
If you have more than one son or daughter at our school, you will receive a 10% family discount on the school fees of the youngest child.

Withdrawal policy:
To withdraw from the school parents must give two months’ notice in writing. In the absence of written notice, two months’ tuition fees will be charged in lieu. Any overdue fees or other charges will be payable on notice of withdrawal.

30% Tax Ruling:
We are pleased to announce that Winford Bilingual Primary School in the process of becoming eligible for the 30% tax reimbursement. If you are eligible for the 30% tax facility, you can also receive a free reimbursement from your employer for extraterritorial costs for school fees.

For more information on the 30% tax ruling click below:
Belastingdienst 30% Tax Rule Information

Why Bilingual Education?

Winford Bilingual Primary School is a unique bilingual school in the Netherlands because we teach 100% of our lessons in both Dutch and English. This makes us different from other Dutch and international primary schools.

To understand how we are different, it is important to understand what bilingual education means in other Dutch primary schools. Most primary schools in the Netherlands offer some form of English language education. There are different types of education available:

Official ‘tweetalig’ (bilingual) schools offer between 30% and 50% of their classes in English. Often this is done by teaching core Dutch curriculum subjects (like mathematics, reading, writing, and language) in Dutch and other subjects (for example, music, art, or history) in English.

In other ‘regular’ Dutch primary schools, children will spend no more than 15% of their time (around 3 hours per week) learning English.

Winford Bilingual Primary School is different

When we say ‘bilingual education’ we mean that children will have all of their lessons in both Dutch and English. Throughout the school day, the children will be completely immersed in both languages, and learn to switch easily between Dutch and English with their teachers and their friends.

We call this approach ‘dual immersion’. The aim of our dual immersion education is to teach children to be fluent in two languages, rather than simply competent.

What is the difference between ‘Competency’ and ‘Fluency’?

Competency means speaking a language well but with more formality and less familiarity than a native or fluent speaker. Competent speakers have to work harder to speak in this language rather than their native language. They can also find it more difficult to switch between languages.

Fluency means speaking a language other than your first or native language with almost equal ease and accuracy. A fluent speaker finds it almost as easy to speak in a second language as easily as their native language. Fluent speakers can switch easily between the learned language and their native language.

An example of what this actually means

‘Gezellig’ – A commonly used Dutch word that is famously untranslatable into English. It can be literally translated as ‘cozy’ but this is only a fragment of its meaning. It is used to express feelings far more complex than ‘cozy’.

Language competency is knowing what ‘gezellig’ means.

Language fluency is knowing how ‘gezellig’ feels and when to use it appropriately in any situation.

Why do we think bilingual education is important?

Academic Benefits
Learning a second language helps your child academically by improving, connecting, and expanding the neural pathways associated with reading and writing, and with their ability to express themselves.

Language skills are more important than ever and English is one of the more widely spoken languages so it makes sense that a high level of fluency will be a valuable skill. Although not so widely spoken, Dutch shares its roots with several other European languages (the Germanic languages). Not only does this mean that learning Dutch will make it easier to learn another Germanic language, the fact that your child is already bilingual means that they will find it easier to learn any other language.

Social and emotional benefits
Beyond the academic advantages, there are also many social and emotional benefits to being bilingual. Research shows that young children who are raised as bilingual speakers are better at reading social cues, overcoming social shyness, and have strong active listening skills. All of these will help with making friends, understanding diversity, and help with integrating into new environments.

Advantages of Dutch bilingual education for international families in the Netherlands
Families who intend to make the Netherlands their home for more than a year will find themselves more culturally connected to the country if they speak Dutch. Although most Dutch people speak some English, you will find that you will feel more welcome if you can speak Dutch. For children, this means the ability to make local friends and join in Dutch life, giving them the chance to be fully involved in a different culture and tradition.

Ask us questions!

To find out more about our curriculum, our classrooms, and how our school will suit your child, please feel free to contact us.

Children that are with Winford Bilingual from the age of 4 or 5 will be able to choose:

 - any level of Dutch Secondary School, for example, HAVO, VWO, Gymnasium, Atheneum

-  any International School or schools that teach in English 

In group 5 we ask parents and students to start thinking about which Secondary School direction they would like to move into.  In group 6, the family and the teacher has a chat and makes a decision for Dutch or International/English Secondary education.  In group 7 and 8, children that wish to go into Dutch education will receive 65% Dutch and 35% English education at Winford Bilingual.  Children that wish to go into English education will continue to receive 50% Dutch and 50% English education.

If your child joins us later than aged 5, we will assess your child in group 6 and give you advice as to whether Dutch or English education would be most suitable.

We are proud to announce that from our last graduating class, all children got into one of their top three school choices.

Step 1: Intake and Admission 

To formally apply for a place at Winford Bilingual Primary School please: 
 
Contact us for an application form.  We will email you the application form along with further information.  You can return the application with the necessary supporting documentation. Please return it as a Word document or a PDF only. 

Once we have received your application, you will receive an invoice for the non refundable application fee of €550*. Please note that we will only process your application after your fee has been paid.  

Step 2: Confirmation 

After reviewing and processing your application along with the paid application fee, we will then send you an Acceptance offer. 

Step 3: Acceptance 

You will have 2 weeks (10 business days) from the date of any offer to accept or decline the offer.  To accept the offer, you will need to sign and return the acceptance forms. Once the forms are submitted, your child will be added to his/her class's admissions list thus ensuring their spot within the classroom.  

Step 4: Assessment 

The moment your child starts at our school we will start the assessment procedure. Our school instructional coaches together with the classroom teachers will observe your child in order to assess the educational needs of your child and to make a personal development plan. If necessary, a formal plan will be presented to you and discussed with you after the assessment. In the case of extra support or testing, we will meet with you and discuss the cost of further evaluations and or support. 

*The €550 registration fee guarantees a spot for your child for one calendar year of the expected start date. If your child is unable to attend Winford Bilingual within the agreed-upon time due to Covid or residency issues then you must re-apply and pay this registration fee again to reinstate your spot.* 

At Winford Bilingual Primary School we use the Positive Discipline method. Positive Discipline approaches children in a way that is respectful, kind, and firm. We treat the children with respect and expect to be treated with respect in return. We teach the children how to communicate with those around them in a way that is effective and positive. Children are encouraged to be independent and to understand that there are logical consequences to their actions. We believe that our approach helps to create children who are happy, capable, and kind.

These are the main component of Positive Discipline.

FIVE CRITERIA FOR POSITIVE DISCIPLINE

1. Is Kind and Firm at the same time.

2. Helps children feel a sense of Belonging and Significance.

3. Is Effective Long-Term.

4. Teaches valuable Social and Life Skills for good character.

5. Invites children to discover how Capable they are and to use their personal power in constructive ways.

The tools and concepts of Positive Discipline include:

• Mutual respect. Adults model firmness by respecting themselves and the needs of the situation, and kindness by respecting the needs of the child.

• Identifying the belief behind the behaviour. Effective discipline recognizes the reasons kids do what they do and works to change those beliefs, rather than merely attempting to change behaviour.

• Effective communication and problem-solving skills. • Discipline that teaches • Focusing on solutions instead of punishment.

• Encouragement (instead of praise). Encouragement notices effort and improvement, not just success, and builds long-term self-esteem and empowerment.

Regarding this, we often let the children have "thinking time" outside the classroom. This is place where children can go to collect themselves or to think about their actions if they need the time and space to do so. It is normal for children to have outbursts and to challenge rules at times. If this happens, we give gentle reminders/warnings about our rules or expectations, after the third reminder we then ask the child to take a break outside the classroom to reflect on their behaviour. We feel that this gives the child some breathing space and time to collect and reflect on their feelings without the prying eyes of their classmates. Sometimes, their minds and bodies need some time to readjust without the censure of their friends.

Winford Bilingual Primary School is very much a family school, and we work hard to create positive relationships between all staff, children, and parents. We are proud of the calibre of our teachers and the level of care they provide to each child. Our small class sizes and two teachers per class mean that we can provide a high level of individual care and attention to each child.

The classroom teachers provide the first point of contact for children, and because the children spend two years in each class, teachers come to know each child very well.

Parents or carers have an opportunity to speak to teachers at the end of each school day, or for more detailed discussions, an appointment can be booked with the teachers or the Director.

Three times per year there are formal Parent and Teacher meetings to discuss each child’s progress.

At Winford Bilingual Primary School, we are looking out for the best interest and health of your child. If he or she has had any of the following illnesses or symptoms, please let their teachers know as soon as possible.

General Illnesses

Please keep your child at home if he or she has any of the following illnesses/symptoms:

• Fever (38°c. or higher)

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Contagious childhood illnesses (chickenpox, rubella, 5th disease, etc.)

If your child has a fever or is vomiting at school, they will be sent home right away. In the case of diarrhoea, children who have it 2 or more times will be sent home. If your child is sent home during the school day due to a contagious illness, they may not return to school the next day. Children may only return to school if they have been completely symptom-free for 24 hours.

Conjunctivitis

Please keep your child at home and see a doctor if your child has the following symptoms:

• Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid

• Increased amount of tears

• Thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep

• Green or white discharge from the eye

• Itchy eyes This may be a form of conjunctivitis. It is highly contagious and can spread quickly among children. Because of this, your child will need to see the doctor for a special eye medicine that must be given for at least 24 hours before the child can return to school. If no medicine is administered, the child cannot return to school until he or she is completely symptom-free for 24 hours. Again, if your child is experiencing any of these symptoms at school, they will be sent home for the health of other children.

Lice

Please check your child’s hair frequently for lice. If your child has any trace of lice, including adults and/or eggs (also called nits), they cannot return to school until their hair has been treated with a special cream and combed through with a louse (small metal tooth) comb. If your child has lice and you want further information on how best to treat it, please refer to the following document: http://www.prioderm.nl/hoofdluis-behandelen