Living with Children in France

From birth to young adulthood, the information needed for parents and children living in France. 

See below for: The health of the child, out of school activities, financial assistance available to the family, and traditions in French schools.

Health

• Birth: See the AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Having a Baby in France 
  

Paediatricians

Most parents take their baby directly to a specialist doctor right from the birth and this can continue up to at least 10 years old (or even more) when visiting a generalist doctor is more normal. However, you are not at all obliged to visit the specialist and can see a normal doctor right from the start.

Carnet de Santé

All babies, children and adults have a Carnet de Santé. This is the book given at birth to record all medical details, growth and weight charts, vaccinations and anything relating to health. This is normally available from doctors and specialists, however if not, they will be able to tell you where to get one. It is needed when registering your children in crèche, maternelle, primary schools and centre de loisirs for proof of vaccinations. Each doctor’s visit should be recorded in this book though often it is left to you to fill in minor details

Children’s Hospitals

Most hospitals have a children’s ward, but there are also hospitals in our region devoted entirely to children and their ailments. 

Children’s Road Safety

From 1st July 2004 it became obligatory that vehicles used exclusively for transporting children be fitted with safety belts. It is also a legal requirement to wear safety belts in buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes but now companies providing transport in smaller school buses and coaches must follow suit.

• Further information from Service Public

Activities Out of Class

Out of Class Activities

Most mairies, local schools, colleges and even tourist offices have lists of clubs, associations and sports centres for your children’s activities. There are also clubs and associations who distribute flyers at school gates during the first weeks of a new school year. Traditionally these clubs start their year in October and end the following June. During the month of September many offer initiation classes (for example: to tennis, football, martial arts) so that a child can try that activity before committing to the whole year. This means parents need not invest in all the clothing and equipment until October when a child is enrolled and the yearly tariff paid. While the fees for these activities are generally inexpensive, it is always possible to arrange to pay the year's fee in parts – quarterly or similar). Activities are normally held on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays.

Garderie

Each maternelle and primary school has the garderie service. This service provides a place where parents can leave their children under supervised care prior to school opening and after school closing times. It is usually within the school premises, for example, the gym room. The children are looked after by qualified carers (not teachers) often called dames de services. They are usually employed directly by the local mairie and may carry out other functions within the school. They look after the children who play, draw and do other activities whilst in the garderie. Working parents needing the garderie service must first register at the mairie prior to the start of the school term. The amount you pay is based on your income and you will be asked to produce salary slips and tax declaration form. The garderie usually opens at 07:30 and closes after school at 18:00.

Centre Aeré or Centre de Loisirs

The Centre Aeré or Centre de Loisirs cater for children from age four. If you work you may put your child into a centre on a Wednesday and during school holidays. You may also register your child for your child to attend during school holidays even if you don’t work. Some centres work on a ticket basis where a child can attend from time to time using the tickets. Other centres require you to book set days, so that appropriate staff (animatrices and animateurs) can be efficiently arranged. 

Prior booking is becoming more and more common, but each centre - usually an independent association - has its own rules and regulations. It is advisable (and almost obligatory) to enrol your child for holidays at least two weeks before end of term. Some centres get fully booked very quickly. You will be asked for the usual paperwork to enrol your child. This includes: 

• proof of residence, 
• Carnet de Sante with vaccinations 
• possibly a medical certificate from a doctor, saying that the child is fit to go to centre loisirs  

You will have to complete the enrolment form with your full contact details, details of allergies, details of other adults authorised to collect your child and more. 

Children are split into their age groups and can participate in a wide variety of activities, with many outings and projects. Children usually have a wonderful time.
Meals are available at the canteen. 

Colonies de Vacances

These are summer holiday camps where children go away somewhere and stay for a week, two or even three weeks in a centre which specialises in outdoor activities or other themed activities such as art, theatre or music. The Colonies de Vacances usually cater to the older children although many colonies do take much younger children (children from age 6 to 16 ). There are many Colonies de Vacances throughout France where it is a long favoured tradition. The centres are independent centres and you should telephone directly to receive enrolment forms, at least two months before the holidays.

• See website Lescolos for information on Colonies de Vacances throughout France.

Carnavals, Halloween and Christmas

Each year children participate in a variety of festivities. February is the traditional start of Carnaval and there are many processions (defiles) in most towns and some villages and even at school there are days when everyone dresses up. 

Halloween has grown in popularity in recent years and you may receive a note through the door a few days before to ask you to arm yourself with sweets (bon bons) to distribute to scary children from your area (quartier or domaine) on their "trick or treat" outing at nightfall. 

Christmas brings hundreds of things for children to see and enjoy, from the lights and decorations, to temporary ice-skating rinks, Christmas villages and more. 

Family Financial Assistance

Bons de Vacances

Bon de Vacances are vouchers available to families with low incomes. They reduce the cost of centre de loisir and other holiday activities and camps. If you are receiving family allowance in France and declare your income each year and are entitled, these vouchers will automatically be sent to you. Your Quotient Familiale (QF) is usually noted on your CAF documents. The QF represents your allowances and income and is used to calculate the daily cost/allowance for each child.

Famille Nombreuse

If you have three or more children there are allowances for family entertainment activities like going to the cinema. If you present official evidence like for example your family book (Livret de Famille) you may get a reduction on the adult tariff for example.

Traditions in School

Back to school – La Rentrée

At the end of the school year in June, the class teacher for a child's following school year gives parents a "school list" of items required by each child for the following school year. Towards the end of July and August, local supermarkets will be well stocked with standard school stationary, bags and other required things for La Rentrée and parents and children can buy everything noted on the list. Local bookshops (papeterie) also stock the required goods, including the cahier de texte (a diary used to mark all the homework). For parents with more than one child and with a low income, there is a sum paid to help with these purchases: the L’aide a la rentrée scolaire is paid in August by the family allowance organisation (CAF). If you have supplied income details and your household income falls below the level (bareme) then this bonus will arrive automatically in the post.

School Reports

In maternelles and French primary schools you will receive a report every trimester in a book specially made for this purpose. It will talk of cycles which are periods corresponding to the age of your child and the work being learned. These books remain with the school after you have read and signed them. 

At college you will receive a bulletin every trimester, which is a detailed account of not only on your child but also the class, including the average marks (moyen) for each subject, the also behaviour of the child and the class. Marks are out of 20 and there are warnings for bad work or bad behaviour as well as grades for achievement with Felicitations for students with marks over 15/20. 
Note: This may vary from college to college but is a general practice.

Kermesse

This is the traditional end of school year celebration; there are market stalls, raffles, presents and other fun for the children and parents. The Kermesse vary enormously depending on the school and can involve school plays, shows and community meals with parents and teachers.

Further Information

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page French Education & Schooling in France
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Living with Teenagers in France
• Key information from Service Public 
• The French Education Portal: Education.fr