Bringing up Toddlers and Children in France

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Bringing up Toddlers and Children in France

From birth to young adulthood, the information needed for parents in France on child health, out of school activities, financial assistance available to the family, and traditions in French schools.

Health of the Child

Birth: For information on giving pregnancy and 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 until the child is at least 10 years old (or even more), after which visiting a generalist doctor is standard practice. However, parents are not obliged to visit a specialist and can see a general practitioner right from the start.

Carnet de santé de l'enfant: Babies and children in France have a Carnet de santé. This free book is issued at birth to record all medical details, growth and weight charts, vaccinations and anything relating to health up to the age of 16 years. It is normally available from doctors and specialists, however if not, they can advise where to get one. It is used when registering a child in crèche, maternelle, primary schools and leisure centres (centre de loisirs) for proof of vaccinations. Each doctor’s visit should be recorded in this book though often it is left to the parent to fill in minor details.

• For a sample of this 100 page document: Click here (PDF in French)

Children’s Hospitals: Most hospitals have a children’s ward, but there are also hospitals in many regions which are devoted entirely to children and their illnesses. To find a children's hospital search for the yellow pages telephone directory, Pages Jaunes for "Hôpital pour Enfants" and the department number.

Children’s Road Safety: Vehicles in France that are used exclusively for transporting children must be fitted with safety belts. It is also a legal requirement to wear safety belts in buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes.

• Further information can be found at the Service Public website: Click here (in French)

Activities Out of Class

Activities and Events

Out of Class Activities: Most mairies, schools, colleges and even tourist offices have lists of local clubs, associations and sports centres that offer children’s activities. There are also clubs and associations which 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 free trial classes for sports or activities such as 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 year's tariff paid. While the fees for these activities are generally inexpensive, it is always possible to arrange to pay the year's fee in instalments. 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 usually takes place within the school premises. 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 while in the garderie. Working parents needing the garderie service must first register at the mairie prior to the start of the school term. The cost is based on household income and parents will be asked to produce salary slips and tax declaration form to determine the fee. The garderie usually opens at 07:30 and closes after school at 18:00.

• For information on the school system in the early years, see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page French Schooling & Education in France

Centre Aeré or Centre de Loisirs: These are organisations catering for children from age four. Working parents may put their children into a centre on Wednesdays and during school holidays. It is also possible to register a child to attend during school holidays even if the parent doesn't work. Some centres work on a ticket basis; a child may attend from time to time using the tickets. Other centres require parents to book ahead, 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 regulations. It is advisable (and almost obligatory) to enrol a child for holidays at least two weeks before end of term as some centres get fully booked very quickly. Parents will be asked for the usual paperwork to enrol the child which includes: 

• Proof of residence
• Carnet de sante with vaccinations 
• (not always required) a medical certificate from a doctor, stating that the child is fit enough to go to the centre loisirs  

Parents will have to complete the enrolment form including among other things: full contact details, information about any allergies the child has and information about any adults authorised to collect the child. 

Children are divided by age groups and can participate in a wide variety of activities, with many outings and projects offered. Meals are available at the canteen. 

Colonies de Vacances: These are summer holiday camps where children go away and stay for a week to three 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 older children although many do take younger children, from age 6 to 16. There are many Colonies de Vacances throughout France, where it is a long-enjoyed tradition. Each centre is independently operated. Parents should telephone a centre directly at least two months before the holidays to receive enrolment forms. 

Information on Colonies de Vacances is available from the LesColos website.

Carnivals, Halloween and Christmas: Each year children have the opportunity to participate in a variety of festivities. February is the traditional start of Carnaval, during which there are costumed processions (defiles) in most towns and some villages and even at school.

Halloween has grown in popularity in France in recent years and households may be visited on the evening of 31 October by children in fancy dress, asking for sweets (bon bons). 

Christmas in France brings many 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: These are vouchers available to families with low incomes. They reduce the cost of the centre de loisir and other holiday activities and camps. Households receiving family allowance in France that declare their income each year are entitled, and the vouchers will automatically be sent. The Quotient Familiale (QF) is usually noted on documents from the family allowance organisation, CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales). The QF represents the allowances, and income and is used to calculate the daily cost/allowance for each child.

Famille Nombreuse: There are allowances for family entertainment activities such as going to the cinema for households with three or more children. A reduction in the adult ticket price may be available on presentation of the family book (Livret de Famille). 

Traditions in School

Back to school – La Rentrée: At the end of the school year in June, the class teacher for a child's next 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. 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 Aide à la rentrée scolaire is paid in August by CAF. If a household has supplied income details and household income falls below the minimum level (barème) then this bonus will arrive automatically in the post.

School Reports: Maternelles and French primary schools will send parents a report every trimester in a book specially made for this purpose. It addresses the work being done by the child. The book remains with the school after parents have read and signed it. 

Parents of children in collège will receive a report every trimester. This is a detailed account of not only the child's work but also that of the class, including the average marks (moyen) for each subject, as well as the behaviour of the child and the class. Marks are out of 20 and there are warnings for poor work or behaviour as well as grades for achievement with congratulations (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 with market stalls, raffles, presents and other fun for the children and parents. The Kermesse vary enormously from school to school and can involve plays, shows and community meals with parents and teachers.

Related Information

• For information on schools, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Schooling in France
• Information about family life in France from the French government site: Service Public 
• The French Education Portal: Education.fr
  

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