Pre-primary school enrollment

Verified 03 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your child will enter nursery school and you wonder how to enroll him in his future institution? You can enroll in a public school, a private school or, under certain conditions, a kindergarten. Educational obligation, registration procedures: here is the information to know on the subject.

FYI  

Your child may also, under conditions, follow his or her family education.

In public school

From the age of 3 years, your child must be registered in nursery school, except in the case offamily education.

This obligation shall apply from the beginning of the school year calendar year where the child reaches the age of 3 years.

A 2-year-old child may also be admitted to kindergarten under certain conditions (cleanness acquired, language level, etc.) and within the limits of available places.

Schooling can then take place in a specific or non-specific class, which includes suitable premises and equipment.

For children attending small school (1re kindergarten), attendance schedules can be made more flexible.

FYI  

Schooling for children of under 6 years may be provided in nursery classes open in an elementary school.

The rules differ depending on whether you want to enroll your child in a school in your municipality of residence or not.

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Registration in the municipality of residence

The rules differ depending on whether you want to enroll your child in the area school or not.

Enrollment in sector school

You should, in principle, include your child in thesector school. It's usually the school closest to your residence. The sectorization of schools is decided by a decision of the municipal council.

You can also apply for enrollment in a school outside your area, subject to conditions.

Contact your city hall to find out about your local school.

Who shall I contact

You must then enroll your child.

Enrollment in school in another sector

You must request a derogation to your town hall to enroll your child in a school in another area. Contact your city hall to find out what to do.

This derogation is not automatic.

Who shall I contact

If you get this waiver, you will have to enroll your child in the chosen school.

Registration in another municipality

If you want to enroll your child in a school outside your municipality, you must obtain theagreement of the mayor of your municipality and the mayor of the host municipality.

Your request must generally be justified by a particular situation (absence of school in your city, separated parents with children attending school in different cities, etc.).

Please note

If your child is enrolled in the nursery school of a host municipality, he or she can complete his or her entire nursery school there.

FYI  

If you are a itinerant familySo you have to do the same.

Registration is done first at the town hall and then at the school.

Registration in Town Hall

The child must be registered at the latest in June prior to the start of school.

Registration usually starts in March, but some municipalities start registration on the 1ster quarter of the year prior to the start of the school year.

Ask your local council early (or the host town hall in case of schooling outside the municipality of residence).

You will need to provide the following documents:

  • Document proving your identity and that of your child (family booklet, identity card, passport, copy of birth certificate or attestation on honor)
  • Recent proof of residence. You can provide an attestation on honor.

Other documents may also be requested for school canteens or extracurricular activities.

Who shall I contact

Once the registration is completed, the City Hall will issue you a certificate of registration indicating the school where the child is assigned.

If you have trouble registering your child, you can contact your department's national education department.

Final enrollment in school

To register definitely your child, you must report to the school indicated on the registration certificate as soon as you obtain it.

The school management carries out the registration, on presentation of the 2 documentnext s:

  • Certificate of registration issued by the City Hall
  • Document certifying that the child has compulsory vaccinations for its age or for a contraindication.

Please note

If the child stays in the same school during kindergarten, you will not have to renew his registration every year.

The residence of parents abroad cannot be a reason for refusal enrolling a child in school.

Each child is enrolled in the school of one of the following municipalities:

  • The commune where his parents have a residence in France
  • The municipality of the domicile of the person who has custody of it
  • The municipality in which an establishment is located, intended more particularly for French children living abroad.

No, no, no. Enrollment in public kindergarten is free.

If you don't respect the obligation to conduct an inquiry, you may be fined up to €1,500.

You are not subject to this penalty if your child receives a family education.

In private school

If you want to enroll your child in a private contract or non-contract facility, the following rules apply.

From the age of 3 years, your child must be registered in nursery school, except in the case offamily education.

This obligation shall apply from the beginning of the school year calendar year where the child reaches the age of 3 years.

A 2-year-old child may also be admitted to kindergarten under certain conditions (cleanness acquired, language level, etc.) and within the limits of available places.

Schooling can then take place in a specific or non-specific class, which includes suitable premises and equipment.

For children attending small school (1re kindergarten), attendance schedules can be made more flexible.

The registration of the child in private nursery school is done directly with the chosen establishment.

The dates and modalities of enrollment may vary from one private educational institution to another. Ask the school directly.

You will at least need the 3 documents following:

  • Your family booklet, identity card or copy of the child's birth certificate or any other document proving the child's identity and filiation
  • Recent proof of residence
  • Document certifying that the child has compulsory vaccinations for his age or for a contraindication

Other documents may also be requested for school canteens or extracurricular activities.

Yes. The cost of private nursery school tuition varies by institution.

If you don't respect the obligation to conduct an inquiry, you may be fined up to €1,500.

You are not subject to this penalty if your child receives a family education.

In kindergarten

From 3 to 6 years old, your child can attend school in kindergarten. For this purpose, the 2 conditions the following must be completed:

  • The kindergarten must be open by July 29, 2019
  • Kindergarten must be managed or funded by a public authority

From the age of 3 years, your child must be registered in kindergarten.

This obligation shall apply from the beginning of the school year calendar year where the child reaches the age of 3 years.

A 2-year-old child may also be admitted to kindergarten under certain conditions (cleanness acquired, language level, etc.) and within the limits of available places.

Schooling can then take place in a specific or non-specific class, which includes suitable premises and equipment.

For children attending small school (1re kindergarten), attendance schedules can be made more flexible.

The steps differ according to the type of kindergarten.

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General case

Registration is done in town hall with the early childhood service.

The registration file must be accompanied by supporting documents (examples: family record, proof of domicile, identity document, tax or non-tax notice).

The nature of the coins varies from municipality to municipality. You should therefore ask the City Hall for the exact list.

Who shall I contact

If you register your child in this type of structure, you must declare it to the mayor and the academic director of the National Education Services (Dasen).

FYI  

The declaration must be renewed every year.

Kindergartens, private or managed by an association

If you register your child in this type of structure, you must declare it to the mayor and the academic director of the National Education Services (Dasen).

FYI  

The declaration must be renewed every year.

Yeah. Yeah. The cost of the reception is adjusted according to the family quotient or income.

These costs are subject to a tax credit.

Private kindergartens have free rates.

If you don't respect the obligation to conduct an inquiry, you may be fined up to €1,500.

You are not subject to this penalty if your child receives a family education.

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