Certificate of Competence as Director (BAFD)

Verified 11 June 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Do you want to supervise children or teenagers in collective reception of minors (holiday camp, leisure center, etc.)? The certificate of competency for the functions of director (BAFD) is open to young people aged 18 years minimum. Graduation is subject to theoretical and practical training. This training is paid for, but you can apply for financial assistance. The BAFD must be renewed every 5 years. We tell you what you need to know.

The Certificate of Competence for the Functions of Director (BAFD) allows to supervise children and adolescents during their leisure and holidays.

The work, which is not professional, is carried out occasionally.

Training at the BAFD prepares you to perform the following functions:

  • Develop and implement with the animation team a pedagogical project in coherence with the educational project and taking into account in particular the reception of minors with health disorders or with disabilities
  • Situate your commitment in the social, cultural and educational context
  • Coordinate and ensure the training of the animation team
  • Manage staff and manage the reception
  • Develop partnerships and communication.

Age

To take the BAFD training, you must have at least 18 years on 1er day of the general training session.

Diplomas

You must have one of the following diplomas:

If you have a degree other than Bafa, you must also provide proof of 2 animation experiences with a minimum total duration of 28 days during the 2 years preceding registration, of which at least 1 in collective reception of minors.

You must download the Bafa-BAFD app on your smartphone.

The app allows you to access the next steps :

  • Choosing a course
  • Choosing a training organization
  • Registration
  • Online monitoring of the evolution of your training program
  • Registration for a complementary qualification sailing, canoeing, motorcycle leisure activities or swimming monitoring (if you already hold the Bafa)
  • Renewal of your license to practice (if you are a graduate) BAFD: titleContent)
  • Renewal of your Bafa "swimming monitoring" qualification (every 5 years).

To access the service, you must use one of the following means:

  • Identification via FranceConnect
  • Creation of a Candidate account and login with your credentials (email and password).

FYI  

Remember to add a double-sided copy of your id in your application to validate your registration.

Unfolding

The training at the BAFD is done in 4 steps (within a maximum of 4 years).

To obtain the BAFD diploma, you must follow 2 sessions from theoretical training and 2 practical courses which must take place in the following order:

  1. General training session to acquire the basics to perform the duties of director and build your personal training project (9 or 10 days)
  2. Practical internship as director or deputy director to implement the achievements of the general training session on all functions (14 days)
  3. Refresher session to complete your learning with adapted training sequences (6 days)
  4. Practical internship as a director to perfect your skills (14 days).

The 2 practical courses must take place in France.

You must supervise a team including at least 2 animators.

The refresher session can take place abroad.

The director of each of the theoretical sessions gives an opinion based on his assessment of your abilities, after consultation with the teaching team.

In case of a favorable opinion of the director of the general training session, you become a trainee director and you can perform the practical internship.

In case of an unfavorable opinion, you cannot continue the course. You must participate in a new general training session.

Duration

The total duration of the training cannot not to exceed 4 years. Otherwise, you lose the benefit of the steps already taken.

Training is fee-paying.

Its cost varies depending on the training organization.

Financial aid from the Drajes

A BAFD scholarship can be granted to facilitate access to your training, depending on your region.

The amount of aid varies according to the region, the applicant's situation (age, modest resources...) and the cost of training).

To be eligible, you must make a written request to the regional academic delegation for youth, commitment and sports (Drajes) of your place of residence.

Who shall I contact

Other aid

You can inquire at your town hall.

If you are a jobseeker, you can ask France Travail (formerly Job center) for financial aid to which you have access.

Some county or regional councils also grant aid.

Who shall I contact

At the end of the cycle, the 4 steps validated by the session directors are examined by the BAFD jury of the regional academic delegation for youth, commitment and sports (DRAJES).

It is this jury that grants you the diploma or not.

If you fail, you have 12 months to restart the unvalidated training sessions or work placement.

The BAFD is valid 5 years as from the date of issue of the diploma.

Before the end of 5 years of validity of the BAFD, you can request its renewal.

The procedure is carried out on the Bafa-BAFD application.

To obtain the renewal of your diploma, you must prove, during the previous 5 years, one of the following conditions:

  • Have served as director (or deputy) of one or more collective reception centers for minors for at least 28 days
  • Have been a trainer at Bafa or at the BAFD for at least 6 days
  • Have followed and validated a new BAFD training session.

You can hold a director's position if you have certain qualifications or diplomas.

Among the titles and diplomas accepted, you can have one of the following titles or diplomas (non-exhaustive list):

  • State diploma in animation functions
  • State Diploma of Early Childhood Educator
  • Professional diploma of teacher of schools
  • Certificate of aptitude for teaching.

You must also provide proof of one or more activities involving minors, at least one of which is a group reception for minors.

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