In Brief

• Registration for public nursery school is free.
• It is mandatory from the age of 3, unless instructed at home.
• The procedure occurs in two distinct steps: administrative registration at the town hall, followed by final registration at the school.
• Non-compliance with the schooling obligation can result in a fine of up to €7,500 and 6 months in prison.

Who Needs to Be Registered?

According to official data from service-public.fr, every child aged 3 years must be registered in nursery school. This obligation applies from the start of the school year in the calendar year when the child reaches this age.

Exceptions exist for younger children:

• A child of 2 years may be admitted under certain conditions (potty trained, language level) and subject to available places.
• Schooling can take place in a specific class or not, with suitable facilities.

Note: The schooling of children under 6 can also be ensured in nursery classes within an elementary school.

Where to Register Your Child?

In the Municipality of Residence

In principle, you must register your child in the designated school, usually the closest to your residence. The zoning is decided by a municipal council resolution.

If you wish to register your child in a school outside your designated area, you must request a waiver from your town hall. This waiver is not automatic.

In Another Municipality

To register your child in a school outside your municipality of residence, you must obtain the agreement of the mayor of the host municipality. The request must be justified by a particular situation (absence of a school in your city, separated parents with children enrolled in different cities, etc.).

If the child is accepted, they can complete their entire nursery schooling there.

Special Cases

• Traveling Families: The same procedures apply.
• Parents Living Abroad: Registration must be accepted. The child must be registered in the municipality where you have a residence in France, that of the person with custody, or that of an establishment for children of French citizens living abroad.

Steps of the Process

Registration occurs in two stages: first at the town hall, then at the school.

Step 1: Registration at the Town Hall

You must register your child by June at the latest before the start of the school year.

• Key Dates: Registrations generally begin in March, but some municipalities open them as early as the first quarter of the year preceding the start of school. Inquire early at your town hall.
• Documents to Provide:
  • Document proving your identity and that of your child (family record book, identity card, passport, copy of birth certificate or sworn statement).
  • Recent proof of residence (a sworn statement is possible).
  • Document certifying that your child has received the mandatory vaccinations for their age or justifies a contraindication.
  • Other possible documents for the cafeteria or extracurricular activities.

At the end of this step, the town hall will issue you a registration certificate indicating the assigned school.

In case of difficulty, contact the department's national education services.

Step 2: Final Registration at the School

Upon receiving the registration certificate, you must present yourself at the indicated school.

• Documents to Present:
  • The registration certificate issued by the town hall.
  • The document certifying the mandatory vaccinations (or contraindication).

The school administration will then carry out the final registration.

Important Note: If the child remains in the same school throughout their nursery years, it is not necessary to renew the registration each year.

Cost

Registration for public nursery school is free.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Compliance with the instruction obligation is strictly monitored. Here are the penalties provided by law according to service-public.fr:

1. Simple Fine: Up to €1,500 if you do not comply with the instruction obligation (unless home instruction is authorized).
2. Formal Notice: If you do not register your child without valid reason, the academic director of national education services (Dasen) will send you a formal notice to do so.
3. Severe Penalties: If you do not comply with this formal notice, you risk:
   • 6 months in prison.
   • €7,500 fine.

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Waiting Until the Last Minute: Although the deadline is June, places may be limited, especially for waiver requests or 2-year-olds. Contact the town hall as early as March.
• Forgetting Vaccinations: The vaccination document is required both at the town hall and at the school. Ensure it is up to date.
• Confusing Registration with Pre-Registration: Registration at the town hall is only the first step. You must finalize the process at the school with the certificate.

Official Source

The information above is exclusively extracted from the official sheet "Registration for Nursery School" published on service-public.fr. Last data verification: November 6, 2025.