Help and advice please about the french education system and what we need to do

[helenhismadwife]

Hi

we moved to france in September and are living in Civray. We have two daughters age 2 years and 6 months and 15 months, we have found a really nice nursery/toddlers (Friponet) that they go to one day a week, from what I understand we can register them and leave them there but I am not sure how to do that as my french is very very limited [:$]

I am getting a bit worried as I have been told that our eldest daughter should be starting school when she is 3, can someone please advise me is this right and what do we need to do. [8-)] We are hoping that they can go through the french education system.

Any advice greatly appreciated

Helen

[Wendy]

Hi Helen, my son has just gone into Ecole Maternelle here and he just loves it so your little girl should settle in nicely. She dosen't 'have' to go remember, Ecole Mat is not compulsory but school is at around 6 years of age. That sounds like a Garderie you describe, they are usually attached to the Ecole Maternelle so you should approach them, or your Mairie. Dont be worried, just take along your dictionary and some courage and go for it. Do you have a french friend or neighbour who might accompany you?.

[suzi05]

Our son Isaac will be 3 in March and starts school in January. It's not compulsary that they start that early, but plenty seem to (free childcare?!) around here. We went and asked at the Mairie who gave us a form to fill in to choose the school, and return to them with a proof of address. Apparently then they send you a date to look around the school. We ended up signing Isaac up for the local semi-private school. Only about 200 euros a year and no need to be in the catchment area - which is a big issue for us here as we live on an island and to get to the school in our commune would take us about 3 hours! We just phoned the school up and asked if we could go round and they were really helpful with all the forms.

Here they have dates when you have to register by for the Maternelle or you miss the boat for that year - but I guess it depends on how big a town you live in.

Good luck!

suzi

www.patias.com/trinite.htm

[icmenuiserie]

Hi, your daughter could start school as early as January, some Maternelles will take them if they have room and as long as they are toilet trained, but they are not obliged to take them if they don't have the room. As for the nursery they normally have a period of 'adaptaion' which can last months...it depends on how quickly your child lets you leave them without crying etc. There is an Halte Garderie in Ruffec if you don't get on in Civray, but I know a few folk who go to that creche, I think there lust only be one...give us an email if you want more info. Lisa

[KathyC]

[quote user="suzi05"]

 

Here they have dates when you have to register by for the Maternelle or you miss the boat for that year -

 

[/quote]

Not much of a ferry service to your island then.[:D]

 

(Sorry, couldn't resist it!)