CHILDCARE & SCHOOLS IN THE CHAMONIX VALLEY
Within the Chamonix valley there is a severe shortage of childcare places, whether at the crèche or with an Assistant Maternelle (Child minder).
Crèche
Crèche places are only accessible to those where both parents work and the waiting lists for both Chamonix and Les Houches are a minimum of 12 months.
Les Houches: crèche available for children aged 10 weeks (end of French maternity leave) to 3 years
Chamonix Centre: for children aged 18 months to 3 years
Chamonix Les Pélerins: children aged 10 weeks to 3 years
Argentière: children aged 10 weeks to 3 years
A micro crèche accepting up to 9 children in Les Pélerins
The Montessori crèche based in Songenaz, Les Bossons (mid-way between Chamonix & Les Houches) for children aged 18 months plus.
Crèche rates are mean tested so will vary.
The crèches are open every day of the year except bank holidays and for a very short period for annual cleaning.
If you are lucky enough to gain a crèche place for your child, you may lose this if you become pregnant again. Whilst you are on maternity leave, you will no longer be classed as ‘working’ and if the crèche needs your place, you may be asked to keep your child at home during this time to give priority to working parents.
In order for your child to be accepted in the crèche, your vaccinations must be up to date.
Halte-Garderie
The Halte Garderie is a form of childcare which is offered by the crèches of the valley, for children requiring occasional care eg. A few hours a week. Parents do not have to be working to be eligible for this type of care, however, there are very limited places.
Assistant Maternelle
An Assistant Maternelle is an approved and regsitered child minder. She (I have not come across a 'he' in the Chamonix valley) is registered to take a set number of children in her home. In the Chamonix valley, this varies from 1 to 3 children.
Lists are available and are worth contacting regularly as children move away or to the crèche on a regular basis. Normally, once an assistant maternelle is chosen the child will stay there until they start school the year they are 3.
The number of hours the assistant maternelle can work, the number of children she can accept and her rates are dictated by the local Mairie.
School
Your child will be eligible to start school from the year that they turn 3. If your child was born on the 31st December 2007 they would have started school in September 2010, if they were born on January 1st 2008, they will start school in September 2011.
At school, the children have 2 hours for lunch, from 11.30am to 1.30pm. Lunch can be provided by the canteen, however, this is not provided by the school but by the Mairie and so is charged extra. Pack lunches are not permitted, but you can take your child home during lunch time.
Before and after school care is also an option. Again prices vary and space can be limited.
School starts at 8.30am and runs till 4pm. There is no school on Wednesdays (unless you are at college) or Saturdays.
In the case of strikes or for unforeseen reasons, all children in Ecole Maternelle or Elementaire will be provided with a reception. There will be no classes, or sleep time.
Most of the schools in the valley are free, state schools. There are 2 fee paying schools: Jeanne D’Arc in Chamonix is a catholic school (very low fees) & the Montessori school which opens in September 2011 in Songenaz, Les Bossons. All the state schools are secular, which means that the children do not receive any religious instruction at all.
Note that the Montessori school accepts children aged between 3 and 6 years of age.
Ecole Maternelle: children aged 3 to 6 years. It is not obligatory for your child to attend the Ecole Maternelle, but advisable as it is considered essential for preparing your child for school.
Ecole Elémentaire:
For children aged 6 years to 11 years. This is the begining of compulsory education.
The school can be a state or private school and/or they can be taught in the home (in accordance with certain procedures).
The different school years are as follows:
Cours préparatoire (CP): for children aged 6-7 years, equivalent to UK year 2
Cours élémentaire 1 (CE1): for children aged 7-8 years, equivalent to UK year 3
Cours élémentaire 2 (CE2)! For children aged 8-9 years, equivalent of UK year 4
Cours moyen 1 (CM1): for children aged 9-10 years, equivalent of UK year 5
Cours moyen 2 (CM2): for children aged 10-11 years, equivalent of UK year 6
Collège: children aged 11 to 15 years
On completing CM2 and receiving a brevet the pupil is ready for admission into sixième (6ème).
Lycée
For ages 15 to 18. The final three years are the seconde, première and terminale. It is at this point that the child specialises in a chosen area. The final exams are the Baccalauréat (the "Bac"). The Baccalauréat and the "International Option" Baccalauréat (OIB) are globally recognised qualifications for university entrance.
If you move to a different town, the school must be informed of your move.
For those of you moving to France for the first time, your child/ren have the right to be schooled in France. They will be tested on their level of French and placed in a class accordingly.
School holidays for the Chamonix Valley 2011/2012
Toussaint: 22rd October - Thursday 3rd November 2010
Christmas: 17th December - Tuesday 3rd January 2011
Winter: 11th February - 27th February 2011
Spring: 7th April - 23rd April 2011
Summer: Saturday 5th July -
Rules and regulations change constantly. Please get in touch if you want further information on any of the above subjects.
Communiquer 74 : Sarah Barnes : Tel. 06.45.85.64.95 Email: communiquer74@gmail.com
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website should be regarded as a guideline only. I try and update the information as often as possible but it is possible that certain information has been missed. I would love to be the font of all knowledge but unfortunately I am not! All situations are different and the information contained here may not be applicable to all cases. Please get in touch if you would like me to check any information in relation to your personal situation. My role is to be your voice, to ask the questions you would like asking and those that I know you should be asking. During the course of my work I have gained knowledge of lots of different aspects of French administration and can generally advise you on what is important and what isn't. Dealing with the French system on a daily basis means that I can help you do things far faster and can assist you through the minefield.
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