Family

How to enrol your kids in France ?

French Education System

In France, public schools are free and education is compulsory for girls and boys from 3 to 16 years of age. A pupil can start school at 3 and carry on beyond the age of 16. Going to school is a legal right for French and foreign children living in France.

School respects and teaches the values of the French Republic: all children are admitted and respected regardless of their origin, their nationality, their religion, their sex, their family status or any handicap they may have. Boys and girls study together and are treated equally.

French education system by age : 

• Nursery for babies under 3 years old
• Pre-school from 3 to 5
• Primary school from 5 to 10
• Middle school from 11 to 14
• High school from 15 to 18

Enrolment of your child in Pre-School and Primary School

To enrol your child in a public school, the family must already be in the country and have an address in France. Where you live determines where your children go to school. Please be aware that the school syllabus is the same in every school and that public school registration fees are free

To pre-enrol children in school, families have to submit the originals of the following documents:

1. Your child’s birth certificate translated into French by a sworn translator
2. Your child’s vaccination record
3. Proof of address dated less than 3 months
4. Your child’s educational record (optional)
5. Your child's school insurance

Some schools offer French courses for foreigners for your children.
We can help you by planning an appointment with the school director few days after your arrival for the registration. Before your arrival, we will send
to the director the above requested documents.
 

Enrolment of your child in a Middle School and High School

Enrolment in a middle school or high school is done through the Académie d'Orléans-Tours (local education authority).

Information on the middle school or high school education of a child arriving from abroad can be found on :
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F21304

Or on the website of the rectorat d'Orléans-Tours (local education authority)
https://www.ac-orleanstours.fr/dsden37/eleves_et_familles/modalites_daffectation/

Pupils must get an appointment with the CIO - Centre d’Information et d’Orientation (information and guidance centre). During this appointment, the counsellor will ask you questions on your child’s school years. Afterwards, your child will be summoned to take exams in order to know better his/her level.Your Tours Euraxess Service Centre can help you booking this appointment prior your arrival.
 

School Routine

The school week runs from Monday to Friday in the majority of schools.

Depending on schools, wednesdays can be free. Classes generally start between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and end between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Pupils have two weeks’ holiday approximately every six weeks and summer holidays during July and August.
French School holidays timetable -> zone B (Orléans-Tours)
 

School Insurance

School insurance is compulsory for any child going to school.
It covers expenses in case of personal injury, any material damage the child may cause or injuries he/she may inflict upon someone in school or in the context of extra-curricular activities. It is usually combined with house insurance.
 

If your child is not yet of school-age and you require childcare while you are at work, there are various childcare options that can meet your needs depending on the age of your child.

For your children of less than 3 years, according to the administration
Delays for public childcare, here are three private suitable solutions:

PRIVATE CHILDCARES

• Tours Koala Kids: https://creche.koalakids.fr/
• La Pouponnière: http://www.lapouponniere.fr/
• Saperlipopette: https://www.saperlipopettemicrocreche.com/

You will find the full list at the page 31 of the "Family Guide" published by the City of Tours :
https://www.tours.fr/actualite/386/73-guide-des-parents-2019-2020.html

NURSERY ASSISTANT

You can choose to hire a nursery assistant. You will become her/his employer and your children will be welcomed at the nursery assistant’s home.

Your contacts will help you to call the following number: +33 (0)2 47 70 86 68.
They will give you the nurseries assistant list according to your living are.