Fivetofive

We are moving to the South of France next week. We are staying with family there while we look for a home. We are expecting to be with family for a few months. I would really rather not put my five year old in school and then have to move her when we change locations - this seems like a lot of changes for a little kid who has already had to move countries. Does anyone know how long I can legally keep her out of school?
(We have EU passports)

graham.miln

Talk to the local mayor. They are uniquely in the position to both report you but also to help you.

The official Service-Public.fr Instruction obligatoire page sets out the enforcement process – and 7500 EUR fines:

EuroTrash

I suppose that technically, provided you keep an address in your current country of residence and don't bring all your possessions with you when you arrive to stay with family, then as EU citizens you can spend up to 3 months in France as visitors without being considered resident. Visitors aren't required to send their children to school in France as far as I am aware.

dmu

You're probably right, but a visit to the local Mairie would be advisable, to ensure that the Authorities know the circumstances. As indicated in the Service-Public link above, failure to send a child to school without a valid reason can be severely sanctioned....
In fact, the time spent by the child in the temporary school might well be more advantageous than if she stayed at home - picking up French before 1st Year Primaire when they start to learn to read and write, getting used to the French school day, making even temporary friends, .... It could be regarded as an adventurous dress-rehearsal, and would stand her in good stead when starting school in a permanent locality.

petitefrancaise

haven't posted in a long time - hope all of you guys are doing well!
Entry into CP - ecole primaire first year is determined by when they turn 6. see here
translated = Children are enrolled in elementary school at the start of the school year of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 6

my daughter with a december birthday was one year ahead of her friend who was a January baby born 2 weeks after her.

dmu

Hi, and welcome back!
Actually, schooling is compulsory from 3 years, in the local Maternelle. As recommended above, the OP should go along to the Mairie where they are temporarily staying, and explain the situation.
People are moving all the time, and apparently you simply have to inform the new Mairie within 8 days of arrival and they usually allocate the Maternelle nearest the new domicile.
N.B. to the OP: Remember to take along your child's Passport or Birth Certificate, and Vaccination book, when you enrol her. As mentioned above, a few months in a temporary Maternelle would get her used to the French way of doing things on the schooling front...