If you bought your house prior to the initial 2008 crisis, you would have done so with a mortgage based on the old lending criteria which has changed twice since. Not only would you now probably need a definite or greater down payment, but the amount you may borrow would have changed. So unless a bank has told you how much loan you qualify for, I strongly advise you go talk to your bank first. And if you currently have an interest only loan (which many expats do), you are in for a shock. About a month ago it was announced that German banks are offering highly favourable terms to buyers on the Dutch market which may be worth your while i.e. 125% loans @ around 2,5% fixed for 10 years.

Whether it is fish, chips, fish & chips or any other food for that that matter, the Dutch simply treat it as a commodity which is to be sold to any willing buyer in almost any state. After all, they invented modern trading a couple of hundred years ago. Anyway, they seem to live by the credo that if you don't buy it, someone else will. Ever noticed when a real Dutch-owned business closes down, the shop stays open for ages after it actually closed so that they can try and flog off old plastic hangers and a busted vacuum cleaner. Well, it is this mentality that exists in almost every Dutch business, including food. So yes, limp fish that should be binned will go into the batter. Eat up. It is also for this reason that we chose to become vegetarian at the height of the horse meat debacle, which clearly had its origins in Holland. And only now is the Dutch government trying to do something about it. My point exactly, we eat horse so what's the problem?

Hi Shridhar, Was Allison (English Childminder) able to help you?

Try The English Childminder in Hilversum which is as the name suggest. englishchildminder.com

Why don't you put up a notice on the bulletin board at school. I will also mention your situation to one of the Moms whose son is currently in Group 1 and they happen to live very close to the school. When will your son start school?