![Lucas stood at the school gates](https://chillingwithlucas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/E191DA6A-89F2-4511-B352-271F097246C8-768x1024.jpeg)
Lucas was due to start reception class in the UK last month, but as we moved to France, he has another nursery year.
In the French education system, children start L’Ecole Maternelle at the age of 3, where they go into the Petite Section for age 3-4 years, the Moyenne Section for 4-5 years and the Grande Section for 5-6 years. As Lucas is 4, he is in the Moyenne Section and will be in L’Ecole Maternelle for 2 years before moving up to primary school. From what I understand, the Petite and Moyenne sections are like a UK nursery or preschool, and the Grande Section is more like the UK reception class.
L’Ecole Maternelle is designed to introduce children to the school’s social environment and develop basic coordination skills. The main aim is oral expression and communication. Self-awareness is encouraged as well as group activities. These include arts and crafts, music and games. In the Grande Section, reading, writing and arithmetic are taught to prepare for moving to primary.
I’m glad that we have started Lucas at this age because he should be fluent in speaking French before they all start learning to read and write together. Considering the language barrier and that he has only been in L’Ecole Maternelle for 3 weeks, he has settled in well. He happily plays with people when we pick him up and enthusiastically walks in every morning.
![Lucas stood wearing the star bib](https://chillingwithlucas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/920964DA-CFF9-428C-99D4-FA82131A6C3D-768x1024.jpeg)
How do you start L’Ecole Maternelle?
You must visit the Mairie (town hall) to get into France’s school system. The Maire is the mayor of the village, town or city. The Maire will deal with anything important in the area, whether registering a birth, asking about planning permission, opening a business in the village or school enrolment.
![Lucas walking with shorts and tshirt on pulling a skip hop giraffe suitcase](https://chillingwithlucas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/thumbnail_IMG_0709.jpg)
What do you need to start L’Ecole Maternelle?
I’m not sure if these vary from school to school, but rather than buying a pencil case, stationery and a water bottle to get ready for school, we were presented with a list that included slippers, insurance, a box of tissues and a ring binder!
There’s no school uniform in France so children can wear what they would like and we had to take in a spare set of clothes to keep at school.
Once they walk into school, all the children take their shoes off and put on either pumps/plimsolls or slippers for whilst they are indoors. They will change back for playtime outside and then into slippers indoors.
They also wear bibs for eating or napkin with a rubber band, as google translate told me. This was a bit of a shock for Lucas as it’s been a long time since he’s had to wear a bib in the UK. It’s also hard to find one that fits as they tend to be made for babies. However, I remembered that we have used a toddler bib for crafts in the past from KhadineDECO (this link gives you a 15% discount). Khadine creates everything herself in her workshop by hand. All the materials are carefully sourced and of high quality. You can see that the items are made with care and meticulous attention to detail. There are a variety of patterns to choose from, and they are all backed with towelling. You can also personalise them, which is perfect when they attend school. The elasticated neck is covered in coordinating material, making it more comfortable than raw elastic. They are made from baby size to adult size. I am impressed with the quality and can’t recommend Khadine highly enough.
Insurance! It never entered mine or D’s head that we would need insurance (assurance scolaire), but you do. The insurance covers breakages at school such as a football going through the window, school trips, extracurricular sports and injuries caused at school. There are various companies and different types of cover. We went with the insurance company, La Mae but have a look around as there will probably be different offers at different times with the companies.
Vaccination record, the school asked us for proof of the Tetanus vaccine. We sent in Lucas’ red book that has his full record of vaccinations and they copied over what they needed to their forms.
![The star bib with the corner folded over showing the towelling side](https://chillingwithlucas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/88D887CB-21F3-48DB-8958-1F38736F0D70-768x1024.jpeg)
What to expect at L’Ecole Maternelle
Lucas’ day begins at 9 am, but they like students to get there from 8.50 am. Many of the children will arrive on a school bus. It is normal for children, even as young as 3, to get on the bus. Due to this, most children are pulling along children’s suitcases rather than school bags.
Lucas has lunch from 12-1.10, and it’s not just a small meal. The French love lunchtime. It isn’t just a quick sandwich, play, or back to work. Lucas is having 3-4 course lunches every day. When I researched this, many sites said they cost, on average €3-4, Lucas’ costs us €2.30, which I think is amazing value. However, you can’t pay with cash or on your card, so you need a French bank account to pay with a cheque.
In the afternoon, they have a nap. I’m not sure what time or how long, but Lucas has got back into this habit quite easily, as he hasn’t napped since being 2. Lucas said they pull out camp beds and have a blanket over them. They can take in a teddy and cushion if they like.
Lucas’ school day finishes at 4.10 pm, but he has every Wednesday off. When he goes to primary school, he will have Wednesday afternoon off, but the other school days will be longer.
Do children legally have to start school at 3 in France?
Yes. Since the school year 2019/2020, it became compulsory for all children in France to go to school between the ages of 3 and 16 years old.
Giveaway
KhadineDECO has offered one reader the chance to win a dark grey star children’s bib. Whether you are like us and need it for school or for crafts and baking, use the app below to enter.
KhadineDECO
![Starting L’Ecole Maternelle in France. We emigrated to France and my son started nursery school. Find out what we needed and how to do it](https://chillingwithlucas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/B73B4460-C8BF-4450-8543-775AB003D803-683x1024.png)
Id love to win this for my little girl xx
I think it is a great idea having bibs for bigger kids, after all they do messy play like painting etc, we use old adult shirts, but something designed specifically is brilliant!
Bibs are always useful with young children.
Perfect prize for my little granddaughter
My son starts MS next week after being in France for 6 weeks! We’ll be following Lucas’ experience with interest!
My children went to school in Switzerland for 3 years, and did not wear uniform. My daughter hated it as she found the girls in her class were very competitive about wearing new, fashionable clothes. We had lots of problems in the morning with her changing her mind about clothes, saying that none of her clothes were nice enough, and getting very stressed about it. She was glad when we moved back to England that she was able to wear a uniform again!
Yes I worry about this for when they are older. Lucas is only 4 and already being particular about what he is wearing
Good luck to him x
Thanks for the information. It is interesting to know, learn and understand aspects about other countries, cultures, etc. Bibs, napkins, overalls can be required at a any age / stage of life.
As babies, children develop. Older people tend to become frail, lethargic, decline in regards to balance, muscle tone, dexterity, etc. Meanwhile illness, accident can lead to limited abilities for some time :- Therefore need for assistance, aids, adaptions, clothing protectors such as bib, napkin, overall, etc. Good to read of company which has provided products for these life times :- Ages and Stages of Life, considering the wide aspects of the Realities :- Accidents, illness, etc happens. As well as child development. Quality of Life is Important for ALL.
Lucas seems so grown up in the photo. Nice to read that he is settling in to Nursery in France. Best Wishes!
Lovely, perfect for my grand-daughter, thanks
This would be lovely for my toddler!
I like the star design 🙂
Just entered, thanks for the chance to win such a great prize. My daughter would love it.
Oh, wow! I hadn’t heard of this brand before and now I am truly in love!
These are so cute – my great neice will love them
Would be great for my daughter
Great for my son – lovely competition.
these look so cute!
Such cute photos, you have a lovely boy!
perfect for my grand-daughter
I love how it is personalised 😀
A very useful item to help keep the grandchildren clean.
Love these designs!
looks perfect for my nephew xx
How lovely, perfect for my son
Wow! That’s what I call a proper bib. Excellent.
Count me IN
These are a great size for older kids
I would love to win this for my Grandson.
Very interesting to learn about the French education system! This price is very handy
This would be perfect for my daughter. Thank you for the chance
Lovely
What a fantastic idea! I find it difficult to find bigger bibs
Thanks for the giveaway
Love the fabric design options.
This would be great for niece, lots of lovely designs
Perfect for my messy toddler
Fantastic giveaway thank you bind really are a clothes saver as well as keeping little ones neck & chest sore free
I’m sure he will settle in well, easier for them to learn another language when younger, Lucas is growing up so fast, wishing him lots of happiness in his nursery years .
would love to win this for my girl
fingers crossed looks good
Looks great 🙂