Instruction in the family
Verified 05 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Your child is between 3 and 16 years old? He is then subject to the obligation of investigation. They must be enrolled in a school (public or private). The child may also, subject to conditions, receive such instruction in the family. This mode of instruction is sometimes called home school. You must request permission from the Dasen: titleContent from your home department. There are limited reasons why you can get this permission. We present you with the information you need to know.
Age of the child
If your child is of school age and subject to the obligation to conduct an inquiry, i.e. if he is between 3 and 16 years old, he may, subject to conditions, receive education in the family.
Place of residence of the child
Children residing in France can attend school in the family, regardless of their nationality.
On the other hand, a French child living abroad is not concerned.
Warning
The instruction in the family must contain only children from one family.
You may be allowed to educate your child in the family for one of the following reasons:
- Child's health status
- Disability of the child
- Intensive sports or artistic activities for children
- Family homelessness in France
- Geographical distance from any public school
- Existence of a situation specific to the child motivating the educational project
You must request permission from the Dasen: titleContent of your department of residence so that your child is educated in the family.
The procedure differs depending on the reason for your request.
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Child's health status
What documents are to be provided?
You must submit the following application form to Dasen:
Application for authorization to conduct an education in the family
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your credential
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person(s) instructing the child (if you do not do this yourself).
- Proof of domicile
- Medical certificate of less than one year in a sealed envelope attesting to the child's pathology
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
Who shall I contact
When to submit your request?
You must send your request to the Dasen between 1er march and may 31 included prior to the start of school.
Who shall I contact
You can submit it outside this period if the reasons for your application came to light after the 31st of May before the start of the school year. In that case, you have to justify it.
FYI
The application must be renewed every year unless the authorization has been granted for more than 1 year.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In case of missing information, he can ask you to complete your file within a specific time. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notify then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request is accepted.
In principle, authorization is granted for the duration of the school year. However, it may be granted to you for a maximum of 3 school years.
This authorization is a favorable opinion if you wish to register your child for free at the Cned: titleContent (in a regulated classroom).
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In the event of a refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
To do this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a commission chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee shall meet within a maximum of one month after receipt of your appeal.
It shall notify you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can go to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Children with disabilities
What documents are to be provided?
You must forward to the Dasen: titleContent the following application form:
Application for authorization to conduct an education in the family
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your credential
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person(s) instructing the child (if you do not do this yourself).
- Proof of domicile
- Medical certificate (cerfa no. 15695) or the decisions of the CDAPH: titleContent concerning the education of the child
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
Who shall I contact
When to submit your request?
You must send your request to Dasen: titleContent between 1er march and may 31 included prior to the start of school.
Who shall I contact
You can submit it outside this period if the reasons for your application came to light after the 31st of May before the start of the school year. In that case, you have to justify it.
FYI
The application must be renewed every year unless the authorization has been granted for more than 1 year.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In case of missing information, he can ask you to complete your file within a specific time. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notify then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request is accepted.
In principle, authorization is granted for the duration of the school year. However, it may be granted to you for a maximum of 3 school years.
This authorization is a favorable opinion if you wish to register your child for free at the Cned: titleContent (in a regulated classroom).
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In the event of a refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
To do this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a commission chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee shall meet within a maximum of one month after receipt of your appeal.
It shall notify you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can go to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Practice of intensive sports or artistic activities
What documents are to be provided?
You must forward to the Dasen: titleContent the following application form:
Application for authorization to conduct an education in the family
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your credential
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person(s) instructing the child (if you do not do this yourself).
- Proof of domicile
- Certificate of registration with a sports or artistic organization
- Presentation of the organization of the child's time, commitments and constraints proving that he or she cannot attend a public or private school
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
Who shall I contact
When to submit your request?
You must send your request to Dasen: titleContent between 1er march and may 31 included prior to the start of school.
Who shall I contact
FYI
the application for authorization must be renewed annually.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In case of missing information, he can ask you to complete your file within a specific time. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notify then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request is accepted.
The authorization is granted for a school year.
This authorization is a favorable opinion if you wish to register your child for free at the Cned: titleContent (in a regulated classroom).
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In the event of a refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
To do this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a commission chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee shall meet within a maximum of one month after receipt of your appeal.
It shall notify you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can go to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Homeless family in France
What documents are to be provided?
You must forward to the Dasen: titleContent the following application form:
Application for authorization to conduct an education in the family
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your credential
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person(s) instructing the child (if you do not do this yourself).
- Proof of domicile
- All relevant documents justifying the child's inability to attend a public or private school because of homelessness
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
Who shall I contact
When to submit your request?
You must send your request to Dasen: titleContent between 1er march and may 31 included prior to the start of school.
Who shall I contact
FYI
the application for authorization must be renewed annually.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In case of missing information, he can ask you to complete your file within a specific time. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notify then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request is accepted.
The authorization is granted for a school year.
This authorization is a favorable opinion if you wish to register your child for free at the Cned: titleContent (in a regulated classroom).
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In the event of a refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
To do this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a commission chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee shall meet within a maximum of one month after receipt of your appeal.
It shall notify you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can go to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Geographical distance from any public school
What documents are to be provided?
You must forward to the Dasen: titleContent the following application form:
Application for authorization to conduct an education in the family
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your credential
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person(s) instructing the child (if you do not do this yourself).
- Proof of domicile
- All relevant documents justifying this geographical distance
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
Who shall I contact
When to submit your request?
You must send your request to Dasen: titleContent between 1er march and may 31 includeds prior to the start of school.
Who shall I contact
You can submit it outside this period if the reasons for your application came to light after the 31st of May before the start of the school year. In that case, you have to justify it.
FYI
The application for authorization must be renewed every year.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In case of missing information, he can ask you to complete your file within a specific time. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notify then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request is accepted.
The authorization is granted for a school year.
This authorization is a favorable opinion if you wish to register your child for free at the Cned: titleContent (in a regulated classroom).
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In the event of a refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
To do this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a commission chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee shall meet within a maximum of one month after receipt of your appeal.
It shall notify you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can go to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Existence of a situation specific to the child motivating the educational project
What documents are to be provided?
You must forward to the Dasen: titleContent the following application form:
Application for authorization to conduct an education in the family
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your credential
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person(s) instructing the child (if you do not do this yourself).
- Proof of domicile
- Written presentation of the educational project setting out precisely the situation specific to the child motivating the project of instruction in the family. This presentation must include the essential elements of teaching and pedagogy adapted to the child's learning abilities and pace. You must therefore describe the pedagogical approach and methods used to enable him to acquire the knowledge and skills of the common foundation. You must also indicate the educational resources and materials used. The organization of the child's time (rhythm and duration of activities) should also be specified. If a distance learning organization is involved in the child's learning, you must also describe the content of the contribution
- Any useful document justifying the availability of the person or persons instructing the child
- Copy of the baccalaureate's diploma or equivalent from the person instructing the child. Or a foreigners qualification or diploma comparable to a level 4 diploma of the national professional qualifications framework.
- Declaration on the honor of the person or persons responsible for instructing the child to provide this instruction, predominantly in French
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
Who shall I contact
When to submit your request?
You must send your request to Dasen: titleContent between 1er march and may 31 included prior to the start of school.
Who shall I contact
FYI
the application for authorization must be renewed annually.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In case of missing information, he can ask you to complete your file within a specific time. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notify then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request is accepted.
The authorization is granted for a school year.
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In the event of a refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
To do this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a commission chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee shall meet within a maximum of one month after receipt of your appeal.
It shall notify you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can go to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Threat to the physical or moral integrity of the child
You must first inform the principal of your child's school that you want to educate the child in the family.
The director informs you of the solutions that can be brought to the situation of your child. If, after this consultation, you decide to request an education in the family, the director will give you a written opinion on your project.
What documents are to be provided?
You must forward to the Dasen: titleContent the following application form:
Application for authorization to conduct an education in the family
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your credential
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person(s) instructing the child (if you do not do this yourself).
- Proof of domicile
- Opinion of the Warden on the draft instruction in the family
- Any document proving that the physical or moral integrity of the child is threatened
- Proof of one of the permitted grounds for an education in the family for which you are applying
When to submit your request?
You can send your request to the Dasen: titleContent at any time of the year.
Who shall I contact
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In case of missing information, he can ask you to complete your file within a specific time. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notify then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request is accepted.
The authorization is granted for a school year.
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In the event of a refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
To do this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a commission chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee shall meet within a maximum of one month after receipt of your appeal.
It shall notify you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can go to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
The mayor must conduct an investigation into the educated child in his or her family, as early as 1re year.
This survey is renewed every 2 years, until the child is 16 years old.
The purpose of the investigation is to verify the reality of the ground you have stated for obtaining authorization to conduct investigations in the family
The investigation must also determine whether education in the family is compatible with the child's health and the family's living conditions.
At the time of the check-up, you must provide a medical follow-up certificate for your child.
Process
The Dasen: titleContent verify that the child is properly educated and learning.
He also ensures the progress of the child. The aim is to check that the child is in control of all the Common Pillar Requirements when he was 16.
An academy inspector carries out the individual check of the child at least once a year. The inspector may be assisted by a school psychologist. This check shall be carried out from the third month following the issue of the authorization for family instruction.
The check can take place without you being informed in advance.
The inspector checks the knowledge and skills acquired by the child during an interview with you. You must specify the pedagogical approach and methods you are implementing.
The child then carries out exercises (written or oral) adapted to his age and health. This allows the inspector to determine whether his knowledge and skills are sufficient, particularly at the end of each teaching cycle.
Cycle | Affected Class |
|---|---|
Early Learning | Kindergarten (small, medium and large section) |
Fundamental Learning | CP - EC1 - EC2 |
Consolidation | CM1 - CM2 - 6e |
Deepening | 5e - 4e - 3e |
Determination | 2of |
Terminal | 1re - Terminal |
Results
The audit report is sent to you within a maximum period of 3 months.
If the inspector considers that the results of the check are insufficient, a second check shall be carried out within sufficient time (at least 1 month after the first results have been sent).
These delays should allow you to improve the situation.
The date and place of the inspection must be communicated to you.
If the results of the second check are deemed insufficient, the Dasen will formal notice enroll your child in a school (public or private) within 15 days of notification.
You must provide the Mayor with the contact information for this institution.
You must enroll your child in a public or private school during the current school year and at least until the end of the next school year.
You must report the change of residence to the Dasen: titleContent who issued you the authorization to instruct in the family. You must do so within 8 days of your move.
Instruction in the family without permission
If you instruct your child in the family without permission, you may be fined €1,500.
Opposition of the family to control
You must have a legitimate reason to ask the Dasen: titleContent move the date of the check.
In case of two refusals of control without legitimate reason, the Dasen can give formal notice to enroll your child in a public or private school.
Failure to comply with formal notice of enrollment
If you refuse to enroll your child in a public or private school after the formal notice du Dasen, you could face six months in prison and €7,500 of fine.
The Dasen will report this offense to the public prosecutor.
Enrollment in a private school opened illegally
If you enroll your child in an illegally open private school, while you are allowed to instruct him in the family, you risk 1 year in prison and €15,000 of fine.
The Dasen you demand enroll your child in a public or private school. He will report this offense to the public prosecutor.
Family allowances
You must send the authorization for instruction in the family to the Family Allowance Fund (CAF) to benefit from the family allowances.
Tuition aid
Your rights differ depending on whether your child is registered in Cned regulated class or not.
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General case
You cannot take advantage of back-to-school allowance (RSA) if your child is educated in the family.
The child will also not be able to benefit from the college scholarship or the high school scholarship.
Child enrolled in the Cned in a regulated class
You may, subject to conditions, receive the following financial aid:
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Arrangements for issuing authorization for family education
Penal sanctions for failure to comply with the formal notice to register the child at the end of the second check (Article 227-17-1)
Educational obligation
Regulated Cned
Criminal sanctions for enrolling in a private school that is opened illegally
Registration Control
Control of the content of the knowledge required of educated children in the family or in private non-contract educational institutions
Criminal sanctions
Service-Public.fr
Ministry of Education
National Center for Distance Learning (Cned)