Our Guide to Moving to France with Small Kids

Last week we wrote about moving to France with babies and toddlers, and this week’s subject, a natural follow-up, is aimed at those of you seeking a new life in France and have primary school-age kids. For many couples, the idea of moving country with their kids once they’ve started school comes easily, but others worry about the upheaval it could bring.

In reality, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to putting British kids into the school system in France, but like anything in life, the better prepared you are, the better the outcome is likely to be.

In this article, we’ll help demystify the primary school system in France and discuss some of the extracurricular activities available in this great country.

The Primary School System

Most kids in France start primary school at age 6. In exceptional circumstances, kids who are deemed to be really bright (and at the moment that appears to be judged by their reading ability), might be recommended to go at age 5 and at the other end of the spectrum, it might be recommended that a 6-year-old needs an extra year at the maternelle. That said, these circumstances are exceptional, and the norm is age 6.

From CP to CM2

There are 5 classes in primary school in France. They are: CP, CE1, CE2, CM1 and CM2. CP stands for cours préparatoire, the preparatory class; CE refers to cours élémentaire, the elementary class; and CM is cours moyen, the middle class. The two middle classes at primary school are really important because they effectively prepare students and lay the foundation for the next educational level, collège (middle school).

Good Size Classes

In most primary schools, kids are taught in good-sized, but not overcrowded, classes. While it’s hard to put an accurate figure on class sizes, big classes tend to be less of an issue in France than in the UK, particularly in the more rural areas.

A Close Relationship

Primary school classes in France are led by one teacher for most subjects, but another teacher typically handles sports or languages. The relationship between teacher and pupil is usually very close at this stage, and particularly in smaller, rural schools, there’s a real sense of community.

Regular Tests

When it comes to subject matter, the full range of subjects taught in the UK is covered, and kids are regularly tested and assessed on their performance.

Fast Learners

While there’s no getting away from the fact that parachuting a 6-year-old into a foreign country that speaks a different language will have its challenges, it’s amazing how quickly kids overcome the language barrier and get up to speed.

Keep Up with Your Kids

These “Human sponges”, as they’re often referred to by French teachers who watch foreign kids integrating, will be thinking like French kids and speaking fluently much quicker than most adults, so watch out! Here’s our selection of everyday words and expressions to help you get a head start.

Extra Activities for Primary School Kids

The school working week is typically four full days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with a half day on Wednesday, although this may vary by district. As a result, pretty much across France, Wednesday afternoons are days off for primary school kids.

In the UK, that would more than likely cause a childcare issue for most working parents, but France is really geared up to occupy kids as much or as little as they want on a Wednesday afternoon.

Leisure Centres

In most rural villages and in all towns and cities, there are Centres de Loisirs, or Centres Aérés, which are a bit like youth clubs for very young children. It’s also typical to find a wide range of sporting activities organised under the 1901 Association system in France.

Sporting Activities

What this means is that, in most locations, on a Wednesday afternoon, primary school kids can follow their passion for sport or hang out with their mates in a safe, supervised environment.

An Opportunity to Socialise

Rugby, basketball, football, tennis, judo, dance and gym are just some of the sports you’re likely to find on offer in even the smallest communities. From a parent’s point of view, this extracurricular activity gives you great exposure to meet other parents and to extend your son or daughter’s circle of friends at the same time as your own.

Thinking of Moving with Kids?

If you’re thinking of moving to France with primary school-aged kids, here are some things you might want to do before leaving:

• Find a language teacher who’s accustomed to working with young kids to teach them the very basics.
• Get them interested in the language by watching French (kids) videos and listening to French music.
• Seek out any French people who live near you to meet and possibly socialise with, and consider organising your own Fête des Voisins event with your neighbours.

Finally, here’s information about the carnet de santé health booklet and school holiday dates in France. We hope this is useful.

Keep reading our popular blog for advice about buying, moving or living in France.