About ENVOZ certificate

In the Netherlands, swimming lessons are popular but not legally regulated. Anyone can set up a swimming school and issue diplomas. That means there is no statutory oversight of teaching quality, instructor qualifications, safety procedures or learning structure. As a result, there are major differences between schools when it comes to:

Safety standards and preparedness

Instructor training and qualifications

Lesson structure and consistency

Progress tracking and feedback

How well children are prepared for real‑life swimming situations

To help parents choose quality providers, the Dutch National Water Safety Council created the National Swimming Diplomas licence (NRZ). Only schools that meet this licence's criteria are authorised to issue the Swim‑ABC diplomas. The licence requires certified teachers, a clear teaching method, progress reporting and independent annual assessments. Examiners who decide whether children pass their exams must retake an exam every four years, ensuring that assessment standards stay high.

The NRZ licence is an important baseline for safety and quality, while ENVOZ (Eenheid Nationale Zwemdiploma's Organisatie voor het Buitenland) takes things further. ENVOZ is an internationally oriented swimming diploma system designed to provide a clear, transferable standard inside and beyond the Netherlands. DREAMSSS is an ENVOZ‑certified swimming school.

Being ENVOZ‑certified means that our lessons, learning structure, assessments and diplomas follow strict ENVOZ standards:

The ENVOZ survival pathway (A, B and C) focuses on real‑life water safety and is recognised worldwide.

Students progress to the next diploma only when their skills are solid and transferable; there is no rush to "finish." Progress is tracked and feedback is shared regularly with parents.

ENVOZ diplomas emphasise correct technique, breathing control, swimming fully clothed, endurance, orientation and self‑rescue.

The diplomas are printed in several languages and are recognised by international schools, expat communities and even some professions that require proof of swimming ability.

ENVOZ schools follow clearly defined diploma requirements and controlled assessment standards. Examiners are qualified and accountable, and quality is monitored to prevent diplomas being issued without proven ability.

choosing an ENVOZ‑certified school like DREAMSSS ensures your child's training meets and exceeds national standards, with a strong focus on practical water safety and independence.

ENVOZ's international orientation means your child's swimming level remains meaningful if you move abroad, avoiding confusion over different local standards.

you gain clarity about your child's level, confidence in their real‑life safety and a structured pathway that can adapt to future changes. Children enjoy consistent learning, strong technique and the ability to handle a variety of water environments with confidence.

In short, while the NRZ licence assures a baseline of safety and quality in an unregulated market, ENVOZ goes further by offering an internationally recognised ABC Survival pathway, rigorous assessment standards, and regular re‑evaluation of examiners. DREAMSSS is proud to follow these standards so that every swimmer develops safe, confident and transferable skills for life.