10 Things to know about pre-school in France

When my daughter was two years old, I had to start thinking about kindergarten. But since I did not grow up in France, I had no idea about when I had to enroll her, where to go and what else there was to know. Yes, I have to admit, even after 10 years in France I didn’t know a thing about the French school system. Today, I want to share with you the things there are to know about French pre-school.

Nursery school is called “l’école maternelle” or just “la maternelle” in French. But they can also simply call it school (“école”) which was pretty weird for me in the beginning. In German, this word is only used once children go to primary/ elementary school. A child below 6 does not go to school but to “la maternelle” (dt. “Kindergarten”).

What do kids do in a French nursery school?

The children do individual and group work. They learn to become independent and gain knowledge and skill to interact with other children and the world around them. The teacher will read stories and texts to them and will help them learn to ask questions and express their point of view.

Children get to discover the world around them, learn to recognise objects, the human body, animals, and plant life. They memorise and interpret songs and rhymes. They also get to use their imagination and creativity.

What I did not like at first but other parents might love, is that the children already learn to write numbers and simple words. They get prepared for primary school. In my opinion, this should be taught in elementary school but since my daughter loves it, I do not mind anymore.

What I love and I am always looking forward to, is the personal binder. Every couple of months, the children come home with a nicely organised binder with their drawings and artwork. No loose papers! Parents get to see what the child has learned. We also get informed about the child’s progression, e.g. can close the zip fastening on her coat, participates in group activities.

The children’s progression is monitored and individual assistance is offered in case of learning difficulties.

When does pre-school start in France?

Children can go to nursery school from the age of 3 until they are 6 years old. Some kids can even start at the age of two depending on the family’s financial situation and if they are potty trained (“propre”).

Since 2019, the attendance of school is mandatory from the age of 3 until 16. It used to be the parent’s choice whether they started at 3, 4, 5 or 6 and your child was allowed to stay for half a day at nursery school. Now it is obligatory and the child’s presence is requested for the whole day.

It is a lot to send a 3-year-old from 8.30 am until 4.30 pm to pre-school and I really did not like the idea at first. Especially, since I was staying at home with my new-born. But your child gets used to it very quickly (after 6 weeks she will be acclimatized to this schedule) and so will you.

How to enroll your child in nursery school?

You should contact the local town hall (“la mairie”) between March and June prior to the beginning of the school year. Some schools require enrolment 1 year in advance but it is not common.

You will need for registration at the town hall:

• The family record book
• Your ID as well as the child’s ID
• Proof of residence of the last 3 months, e.g. a phone bill, your tax return
• A copy of your child’s birth certificate
• Proof of the child’s mandatory vaccinations, bring a copy of her “carnet de santé”
• A certification of your child’s previous school if you are changing schools
• A written authorisation of the father of your child

The municipality decides where your child will be enrolled. The choice is made regarding proximity and availability.

The mairie will then give you a “certificate d’inscription” paper which you will need for your interview with the head of your designated school (“le directeur”). After your meeting with the head of school, you will receive a “livret d’accueil”, a booklet with all details regarding opening hours, the canteen and so on.

It is also possible to go to a public nursery school outside of the municipality. You will then need to request a waiver. The consent of both the local mayor and the mayor of the host community must be obtained.

How long is a pre-school day in France?

A typical nursery school week looks like this:

Monday Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Morning activities: 8.30 am – 11.30 am

Lunch break

Afternoon activities: 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm

Basically, kids have school 4 times a week for 6 hours, which makes it a 24h week. This can seem like A LOT! BUT… Their activities in the morning include free play and a break where they can play and run. The afternoon starts with a break and activities take place from 3 pm until 4.30 pm.

You can also leave your child in before and after school care (“périscholaire”). Mornings start at 7.45 – 8.20 am and in the afternoon children can go to the “centre d’accueil” at 5 pm and stay until 6.30 pm. Between 4.30 and 5 pm they have a “goûter”, like a sandwich or biscuits and juice.

On Wednesdays, they can either stay at home or go to the “Centre de Loisirs”. A typical day there would be:

Arrival 7.45am – 9am

Half day stay until 12am-12.30am

Full day stay until 17pm – 18.30pm

They will respect the children’s rhythm, develop the kid’s creativity, do activities, art, study, and lots of playing. This takes either place at their school or a different place close by.

The Centre de Loisirs also welcomes children during the school holidays.

What do children eat at nursery school in France?

You might have seen above that French children have a 2-hour lunch break. This is so great! Who doesn’t want to have time to eat slowly AND have a long break? BTW, this is often still the case for French adults. I have learned to love my lunch breaks!

Children can be picked up at 11.30 am and come back at 1.30 pm or they can stay at school for lunch. If they stay, they will have 45 min to 1 h to eat and then they can either have a nap (“siesta”) or go out and play, or both.

The cafeteria is called “la cantine” and has about 80% of attendance. The cost depends on your income but is probably around 3,62€ – 4,61€ (the lowest fee is 0,13€, the highest 7€).

The children sit down on round tables that are set with real plates and utensils. No place for plastic! The lunch ladies (“cantinières”) place napkins around the children’s necks and serve their food.

Usually, the kids eat typical French food and drink water. No juices or milk.
The meal is made of 5 food items and bread. They will have an “entrée” (starter), a “plat principal” (main course), an “accompagnement” (side dish), dairy, mostly cheese, and a dessert.

The food is well-balanced and contains at least one BIO item. Parents can also choose a vegetarian variant for their child.

In case of allergies, the parent has to fill out a PAI “projet d’accueil individualisé” to make sure that your child doesn’t get the food she is allergic to.

What is does ATSEM mean and who is this person?

The first time I heard the word ATSEM, I was thinking “bless you”! But this is actually the abbreviation for a person or rather her job description. So don’t be surprised when you do hear about your child’s kindergarten teacher and her ATSEM.

ATSEM stand for agent territorial spécialisé des écoles maternelles (specialised helper in pre-school)

No wonder they needed to shorten that.

This classroom assistant will help the nursery teacher supervise and prepare learning activities. She helps the children to become more autonomous and to socialise. In the mornings she welcomes the children and helps them to dress and undress whenever needed. She can help them go to the toilet and make sure they respect their personal hygiene. During lunch, she will supervise and help whenever needed. They are also responsible for cleaning the classroom and passing on important information to the parents.

How does the school communicate with parents?

There is a school – parent communication journal that the teacher uses to pass on important information. Like when the next fire drill will take place and whose parents want to chaperone the next class excursion.

The school also puts up blackboards (the modern version, in white) in the entrance hall of the school and next to the classroom door. Here, parents can find information about whether the nursery teacher will be part of the next public strike (Strike? Yes, we are in France, my dear!)

Twice a year, parents receive also a school report to learn about their child’s new competences.

What else is there to know?

• Nursery schools are free. The bill for the canteen and périscolaire is paid monthly.
• You should call the school when your child is absent, whether it’s due to an appointment, an illness, or even a longer absence.
• Holidays during a school period are officially not allowed but tolerated until 6 years old.
• Every 6 weeks there is a 2-week vacation.
• No medication will be given to your child unless you have signed a PAI e.g. for asthmatic or allergic children
• Home-schooling is possible but not at all common in France. And if you send your children to school, they will learn French easily
• Do not worry if your child doesn’t speak French, they learn so quickly.
• Children make friends at school and so do the parents. So be prepared to meet some really nice people who live close by.