Children and the French school system
Published: 6 January 2011
Schooling in France is obligatory from the age of six, but children can attend école maternelle from two or three.
To enrol your child in a state school, you should consult your mairie.
They will require documents including ID and proof of age for the child, proof of address and proof of vaccinations.
Your child should be enrolled at least by the June preceding the September when they start school.
Useful tip
- Unlike in the UK, where parents can decide not to vaccinate their children, parents do not have a choice in France and schools can suspend a child’s start until proof of vaccinations is supplied
In the full Moving to France helpguide, we explain:
- When and how to enrol for a school
- Applying for a school outside your catchment area
- School timetables and lessons
- The school year system in France
- School equipment: where, when and what to buy
- Private/international schools
- The International Baccalaureate
- Tax-deductible home tuition and childcare
- Types of child benefit and how to apply
- Other financial help for parents
- Getting your children vaccinated
- Protect your children with insurance
Download the guide as a PDF now from this link
…or ask a question about this topic in the comment box below.
Bonjour, i was wondering if i could get a pamplet or brochure via email about the information regarding how to apply for school in paris france. my daughter is 12, she will be 13 in july of this year. i will be attending a university for the spring of 2012 for four years. i needed to know about the schools for her age group and reguirements,docs ect, needed to begin this process of enrolling her. the school im applying to is AUP in paris. are there any schools near by for her? are there any financial programes or grants for single parents such as myself? if so how or when can i apply? thanks so much for your time and efforts!
god bless, Au Revoir!
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