Enrollment in kindergarten
Verified 06 November 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Your child will enter kindergarten and you wonder how to enroll him in his future school? You can enroll it in a public school, a private school or, under certain conditions, a kindergarten. Compulsory education, registration procedures: here is the information to know on the subject.
Public School
From the age of 3 years, your child must be registered in kindergarten, except in the case ofeducation in the family.
This obligation applies from the beginning of the school year the calendar year where the child reaches the age of 3 years.
A child aged 2 years can also be admitted to kindergarten under certain conditions (acquired cleanliness, language level, etc.) and within the limits of available places. His schooling can then be done in a specific class or not, which includes suitable premises and equipment.
For children in small sections (1re kindergarten year), attendance hours may be relaxed.
FYI
The schooling of children of under 6 years of age can be insured in nursery classes open in an elementary school.
The rules differ depending on whether you want to enroll your child in a school in your municipality of residence or not:
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Registration in the municipality of residence
You should, in principle, register your child in thesector school. It's usually the school closest to your place of residence. The sectorization of schools is decided by a deliberation of the municipal council.
You can also, under conditions, request its registration in a school outside your area.
Enrollment in the sector school
Contact your town hall to find out about your local school.
You must then register your child.
Enrollment in the school of another sector
You must request a derogation to your town hall to enroll your child in school in another area. Contact your town hall to know the procedure to be carried out.
This derogation is not automatic.
If you get this waiver, you will need to enroll your child in the chosen school.
Registration in another municipality
If you want to enroll your child in a school outside your municipality of residence, you must obtain theagreement of the mayor of the host municipality.
Your request must generally be justified by a particular situation (lack of school in your city, separated parents with children attending school in different cities, etc.).
Please note
If your child is enrolled in the nursery school of a host municipality, he can complete his entire nursery school there.
FYI
If you are a traveling family, you have to do the same.
Your child's registration must be accepted even if you live abroad.
Your child must be registered in one of the following municipalities:
- Municipality where you have a residence in France
- Municipality of the domicile of the person having custody of it
- Municipality where is located an establishment intended more particularly for the children of French people living abroad.
Registration is done first at the town hall and then at the school.
Registration in town hall
The child must be registered at the latest in June before the start of the school year.
Registrations generally begin in March, but some municipalities start registration as early as 1er quarter of the year preceding the beginning of the school year.
Ask your town hall early enough (or the host town hall in case of schooling outside the commune of residence).
You will need to provide the following documents:
- Document proving your identity and that of your child (family record book, identity card, passport, copy of birth certificate extract or sworn certificate)
- Recent proof of residence. You can provide a certificate of honor.
- Document attesting that your child has compulsory vaccinations for his age or warrants a contraindication.
Other documents may also be requested for the school canteen or extracurricular activities.
Once the registration has been completed, the town hall will issue you a certificate of registration indicating the school where the child is assigned.
If you are having trouble registering your child, you can contact the department's department of national education services.
Who shall I contact
Final enrollment in the school
To register definitely With your child, you must attend the school listed on the certificate of registration as soon as you obtain it.
The school's management carries out the registration, upon presentation of the 2 documents following:
- Certificate of registration issued by the town hall
- Document attesting that your child had the mandatory vaccinations for his age or warrants a contraindication.
Please note
If the child stays in the same school during their kindergarten, you will not have to renew their enrollment every year.
No. Enrollment in public kindergarten is free of charge.
If you do not comply with the obligation to instruct, you risk a fine up to €1,500.
You are not affected by this penalty if your child receives a education in the family.
If you do not register your child in a school, without valid reason, you will receive a formal notice to do so on behalf of the Dasen: titleContent.
If you do not comply with the Dasen's formal notice to enroll the child in a school, you risk 6 months in prison and €7,500 of a fine.
If you educate your child in the family without permission, you risk a fine of €1,500.
Private school
If you want to enroll your child in a private institution under contract or out of contract, its specific rules apply.
From the age of 3 years, your child must be registered in kindergarten, except in the case ofeducation in the family.
This obligation applies from the beginning of the school year the calendar year where the child reaches the age of 3 years.
A child aged 2 years can also be admitted to kindergarten under certain conditions (acquired cleanliness, language level, etc.) and within the limits of available places. His schooling can then be done in a specific class or not, which includes suitable premises and equipment.
For children in small sections (1re kindergarten year), attendance hours may be relaxed.
The child's enrollment in private kindergarten is done directly with the chosen institution.
Registration dates and procedures may vary from one private educational institution to another. Ask the school directly.
In particular, you will need 3 documents following:
- Your family record book, your identity card or copy of the child's birth certificate or any other document proving his identity and filiation
- Recent proof of address
- Document attesting that the child has had compulsory vaccinations for his age or justified by a contraindication
Other documents may also be requested for the school canteen or extracurricular activities.
Yes. The cost of private kindergarten education varies by school.
Inquire directly with the school concerned.
If you do not comply with the obligation to instruct, you risk a fine up to €1,500.
You are not affected by this penalty if your child receives a education in the family.
If you do not register your child in a school, without valid reason, you will receive a formal notice to do so on behalf of the Dasen: titleContent.
If you do not comply with the Dasen's formal notice to enroll the child in a school, you risk 6 months in prison and €7,500 of a fine.
If you educate your child in the family without permission, you risk a fine of €1,500.
Kindergarten
From the age of 3, your child must be in school.
This obligation applies from the beginning of the school year the calendar year where the child reaches the age of 3 years.
From 3 to 6 years old, your child can follow his schooling in kindergarten. For this, the 2 conditions The following must be completed:
- The kindergarten must have opened before July 29, 2019
- Kindergarten must be managed or funded by a public authority
The procedures differ according to the type of kindergarten:
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General case
Registration is done at the town hall with the early childhood service.
The registration file must be accompanied by supporting documents (examples: family record book, proof of residence, identity document, tax or non-tax notice).
The nature of the documents varies from one municipality to another. You must therefore inquire with the town hall to know the exact list.
If you enroll your child in this type of structure, you must declare it to the Academic Director of the National Education Services (Dasen).
Who shall I contact
FYI
The declaration must be renewed every year.
Private kindergartens or kindergartens run by an association
If you enroll your child in this type of structure, you must declare it to the mayor and the academic director of the National Education Services (Dasen).
FYI
The declaration must be renewed every year.
Yes. The cost of the reception is modulated according to the family quotient or income.
Private kindergartens apply free rates.
These costs are subject to a tax credit.
If you do not comply with the obligation to instruct, you risk a fine up to €1,500.
You are not affected by this penalty if your child receives a education in the family.
If you do not register your child in a school, without valid reason, you will receive a formal notice to do so on behalf of the Dasen: titleContent.
If you do not comply with the Dasen's formal notice to enroll the child in a school, you risk 6 months in prison and €7,500 of a fine.
If you educate your child in the family without permission, you risk a fine of €1,500.
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