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Starting L’Ecole Maternelle in France

October 18, 2019 by Jenni 43 Comments

PR Sample

 

Lucas was due to start reception class in the UK last month but as we moved to France, he’s now got another nursery year.

 

Lucas stood at the school gates

 

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 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 social environment of the school and to 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 in preparation for moving up to primary.

I’m glad that we have started Lucas at this age because he should be fluent at 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 really well. He is happily playing with people when we go to pick him up and walks in every morning with enthusiasm.

 

Lucas stood wearing the star bib

How do you start L’Ecole Maternelle?

To get into the school system in France you need to visit the Mairie (town hall). The Maire is the mayor of the village, town or city. The Maire will deal with anything important going on in the area whether this is registering a birth, asking about planning permission, opening a business in the village or school enrolment.

What do you need for starting L’Ecole Maternelle?

I’m not sure if these vary for school to school but rather than buying a pencil case, stationery and a water bottle getting 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 again for playtime outside and then back into slippers indoors.

They also all 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 work finding one that fits as they do 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 15% discount). Khadine creates everything herself in her workshop by hand. All the materials are carefully sourced and 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 and they are all backed with towelling. You can also have them personalised which is perfect when they are going into school. The elasticated neck is covered in co-ordinating material making it more comfortable than raw elastic. They are made from baby size to adult size. I am really 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 on 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

What to expect at L’Ecole Maternelle

Lucas’ day begins at 9am but they like students to get there from 8.50am. Many of the children will arrive on a school bus, it is normal for the children, even as young as 3 to get on the bus. Due to this, rather than school bags, the majority of children are pulling along children’s suitcases.

Lucas has lunch at 12-1.10 and it’s not just a small meal. The French love lunchtime, it isn’t just a quick sandwich and then 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 bank account to pay with a cheque.

In the afternoon they have a nap, I’m not sure what time or for how long but Lucas has got back into this habit quite easily seen as he hasn’t napped since being 2. Lucas said they pull out camp beds and they all have a blanket over them. They can take in a teddy and cushion if they like.

Lucas’ school day finishes at 4.10pm but he has every Wednesday off. When he goes to primary school, he will have Wednesday afternoon off but again, the other school days will be longer.

 

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 want it 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

Filed Under: Family, Giveaways, Moving to France

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Comments

  1. Natalie Burgess says

    October 18, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    Id love to win this for my little girl xx

  2. MARIA ROGERS says

    October 18, 2019 at 9:48 pm

    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!

  3. Solange says

    October 18, 2019 at 10:52 pm

    Bibs are always useful with young children.

  4. Ursula Hunt says

    October 19, 2019 at 9:23 am

    Perfect prize for my little granddaughter

  5. Naomi says

    October 19, 2019 at 9:01 pm

    My son starts MS next week after being in France for 6 weeks! We’ll be following Lucas’ experience with interest!

  6. Fiona jk42 says

    October 19, 2019 at 10:53 pm

    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!

  7. Jenni says

    October 20, 2019 at 9:02 am

    Yes I worry about this for when they are older. Lucas is only 4 and already being particular about what he is wearing

  8. Jenni says

    October 20, 2019 at 9:03 am

    Good luck to him x

  9. Rachel Craig says

    October 20, 2019 at 1:01 pm

    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.

  10. Rachel Craig says

    October 20, 2019 at 1:04 pm

    Lucas seems so grown up in the photo. Nice to read that he is settling in to Nursery in France. Best Wishes!

  11. Karen Barrett says

    October 20, 2019 at 2:07 pm

    Lovely, perfect for my grand-daughter, thanks

  12. Nikita Jones says

    October 21, 2019 at 9:19 am

    This would be lovely for my toddler!

  13. stephen holman says

    October 21, 2019 at 11:35 am

    I like the star design 🙂

  14. Claire Roach says

    October 21, 2019 at 7:45 pm

    Just entered, thanks for the chance to win such a great prize. My daughter would love it.

  15. Jenna Parrington says

    October 21, 2019 at 8:31 pm

    Oh, wow! I hadn’t heard of this brand before and now I am truly in love!

  16. Margaret Gallagher says

    October 21, 2019 at 11:34 pm

    These are so cute – my great neice will love them

  17. Samantha O'D says

    October 22, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    Would be great for my daughter

  18. Allan Fullarton says

    October 26, 2019 at 9:09 am

    Great for my son – lovely competition.

  19. Ani Costa says

    October 29, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    these look so cute!

  20. Megan Kinsey says

    November 1, 2019 at 5:16 pm

    Such cute photos, you have a lovely boy!

  21. Iain maciver says

    November 3, 2019 at 3:26 pm

    perfect for my grand-daughter

  22. charlotte isobelle says

    November 3, 2019 at 5:06 pm

    I love how it is personalised 😀

  23. Peter Watson says

    November 3, 2019 at 6:49 pm

    A very useful item to help keep the grandchildren clean.

  24. Laura Pritchard says

    November 4, 2019 at 11:05 am

    Love these designs!

  25. Ruth Harwood says

    November 5, 2019 at 9:11 am

    looks perfect for my nephew xx

  26. Jodie Green says

    November 6, 2019 at 2:26 pm

    How lovely, perfect for my son

  27. Susan B says

    November 6, 2019 at 6:06 pm

    Wow! That’s what I call a proper bib. Excellent.

  28. Rich Tyler says

    November 7, 2019 at 10:20 am

    Count me IN

  29. Kim Neville says

    November 7, 2019 at 3:35 pm

    These are a great size for older kids

  30. YOLANDA DAVIS says

    November 9, 2019 at 12:10 pm

    I would love to win this for my Grandson.

  31. Tammy Tudor says

    November 9, 2019 at 10:48 pm

    Very interesting to learn about the French education system! This price is very handy

  32. Mrs Rachael Sexey says

    November 10, 2019 at 6:15 pm

    This would be perfect for my daughter. Thank you for the chance

  33. Stef Acaster says

    November 12, 2019 at 10:42 am

    Lovely

  34. Kirsty Taylor says

    November 12, 2019 at 4:38 pm

    What a fantastic idea! I find it difficult to find bigger bibs

  35. Lisa Wilkinson says

    November 15, 2019 at 10:00 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway

  36. A.E. ADKINS says

    November 16, 2019 at 3:53 pm

    Love the fabric design options.

  37. Danielle Pooley says

    November 17, 2019 at 7:14 am

    This would be great for niece, lots of lovely designs

  38. Catherine Gregory says

    November 17, 2019 at 9:15 am

    Perfect for my messy toddler

  39. Twirlywhirly says

    November 17, 2019 at 10:49 am

    Fantastic giveaway thank you bind really are a clothes saver as well as keeping little ones neck & chest sore free

  40. Twirlywhirly says

    November 17, 2019 at 10:51 am

    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 .

  41. Cathryn Crawshaw says

    November 17, 2019 at 8:58 pm

    would love to win this for my girl

  42. laura stewart says

    November 17, 2019 at 9:16 pm

    fingers crossed looks good

  43. Diana says

    November 17, 2019 at 10:34 pm

    Looks great 🙂

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Hello

Hi, I’m Jenni, Mummy to Lucas who was born in 2015 and Morgana, born in 2021. I’m a virtual assistant living in the Dordogne, France since moving from Lancashire, UK in September 2019 Read more about us

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