Enrolling Your Child in a French School
Register your child at the town hall, meet the head teacher, and sort out the canteen, after-school care and the first day.
School is compulsory in France from age 3, and for a public école maternelle or élémentaire you first register at the mairie (bring proof of address, the livret de famille or birth certificate, and the carnet de santé showing vaccinations), then confirm the admission with the school's directeur or directrice. The school day usually ends around 16 h 30; the cantine and the périscolaire (before/after-school care) are run by the town and booked separately, often through an online family portal. Many schools have no classes on Wednesdays, when children can go to the centre de loisirs, and teachers talk to parents through a cahier de liaison or an app.
- 1
Je voudrais inscrire ma fille à l'école.
I'd like to enrol my daughter at school.
- 2
On vient d'emménager dans le quartier.
We've just moved into the area.
- 3
Quels documents est-ce que je dois apporter ?
What documents do I need to bring?
- 4
Voici son carnet de santé avec ses vaccins.
Here's her health record with her vaccinations.
Tip: The little booklet every child in France has from birth.
- 5
Elle sera dans quelle classe ?
Which class will she be in?
- 6
Elle rentre en CP.
She's going into the first year of primary school.
Tip: Age six, the year children learn to read.
- 7
Elle ne parle pas encore bien français.
She doesn't speak much French yet.
- 8
Est-ce qu'il y a un soutien pour les enfants qui apprennent le français ?
Is there any extra support for children who are learning French?
- 9
L'école commence à quelle heure le matin ?
What time does school start in the morning?
- 10
Est-ce qu'il y a école le mercredi ?
Is there school on Wednesdays?
Tip: Many French primary schools have no lessons one weekday.
- 11
Elle mangera à la cantine.
She'll eat at the canteen.
- 12
Comment je l'inscris au périscolaire ?
How do I sign her up for after-school care?
- 13
Elle est allergique aux fruits à coque.
She has a nut allergy.
- 14
Qui a le droit de venir la chercher ?
Who's allowed to pick her up?
- 15
Où est-ce que je trouve la liste des fournitures ?
Where can I find the list of school supplies?
- 16
S'il y a un souci, écrivez-le dans le cahier de liaison.
If there's a problem, write it in the notebook.
- 17
C'est quand, la réunion de rentrée ?
When is the parents' meeting?
- 18
Elle sera absente vendredi, elle a rendez-vous chez le médecin.
She'll be absent on Friday, she has a doctor's appointment.
- 19
Comment ça se passe pour elle en classe ?
How is she getting on in class?
- 20
Elle s'adapte très bien.
She's settling in really well.