First registration at school: what steps should be taken?

Update on compulsory education from 3 years old

Until now, children’s schooling was not compulsory before the age of 6. Although 98% of 3-year-olds are already in school, from the start of the 2019 school year, the new measure will entail an “obligation of instruction” for them. Children will now have to be in school from September of the year they turn 3. What this obligation changes in practice : Kindergarten attendance rules will be stricter. For example, to combat absenteeism, any absence of more than one day must be justified by a medical certificate. This measure, which aims to combat social and linguistic inequalities, provides for sanctions against parents who do not comply.

First registration in public school: how to proceed?

> Contact your town hall or your town’s school enrollment service to find out register your child. You will be asked to provide: a copy of the family record book or birth certificate, the identity card of the legal guardian of the child, proof of address and a copy of the health record to certify compulsory vaccinations received by the child. You can also provide your child’s ID card if they have one.

> You will then receive a school assignment certificate.

> This will allow you to enroll your child in the school in the sector to which he is attached. For that, make an appointment with his manager. He will ask you to provide the supporting documents required above as well as the assignment certificate. You have until June, at the latest, to complete this process.

My child is under 3 years old: can I enroll him in school?

The child must be enrolled in school the year he turns 3. If he is at the end of the year and will celebrate his birthday between September and December, he will return to school in September, like children who are already 3 years old. If, on the other hand, he was born at the beginning of february, we will have to wait until the next school year. Some schools – subject to availability – accept a deferred start (during the year) according to the birthday of your toddler. Check with your town hall.

For the youngest : 2-year-olds can be accommodated in classes adapted to their age group – depending on the establishment and subject to availability. We call them the Petite Section classes (TPS). Your child will therefore spend 4 years in nursery school (one additional year). Places are very limited. Only a few classes per municipality are open to 2 year olds. The teachers are then trained to take care of the little ones, provided that they are clean and sufficiently autonomous, and the living spaces are adapted to their needs. This solution can be considered if you think it matches your child’s development. However, there is no obligation.

Enrolling your child in private school: instructions for use

Usually thes private school enrollment take place from September to January for the following school year. To register your child, turn directly to the school principal. He will ask you to provide the same supporting documents as for a public registration and – possibly – a letter detailing your motivations. Some private schools have waiting lists, so make sure you have registered your child in a public school beforehand, while waiting for the place in the private sector.

What to do in the event of a change of address?

Are you moving during the year? A change of address usually results in a change of school. But if you want your little one to quietly finish his year in the establishment where he is currently educated, it is possible. In other cases, contact the school in which you wish to enroll him. Are places still available? If that is the case, go to town hall to register your child (with the supporting documents mentioned above) and then go to school with the certificate you received. Please note, you will be asked for a radiation certificate attesting that your child is no longer enrolled in his former school.

How to request an exemption from the school card?

Upon receipt of your assignment certificate in the school in your area, you can request an exemption. Do not be too long ! The bringing together of siblings in the same establishment, the proximity of the workplace of one of the parents, a problem related to the mode of extracurricular care, a specific care of the child … are cases which justify a request exemption. Quickly fill in the waiver form and do not hesitate to motivate your approach by writing a letter. Subject to availability, you may be allocated a place in another school.