Documents Needed for Private School Enrollment: A Guide

You’ve placed your child’s file on the kitchen table and are gathering the necessary paperwork before beginning the enrollment process. Between identification documents, vaccination records, and proof of residence, the preparation process may raise some questions. What documents do you need to gather for private school enrollment?

To complete the enrollment paperwork for a private preschool, you will need the child’s identification, proof of address, the family record book, and a copy of the health record showing up-to-date vaccinations. A certificate of withdrawal may be required if the child has attended school previously.

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What documents does a private preschool require?

Most private preschools require a complete set of administrative documents to confirm the enrollment of a new student. These documents are used to verify the child’s identity and to complete the information form for the legal guardians.

To help you prepare for the application process, here are the documents that most institutions require you to submit:

• Proof of the child's identity: This is a copy of a valid national ID card or passport. This document verifies your child's last name, first names, and date of birth.
• The complete family register: Schools require copies of the pages concerning the parents as well as the page dedicated to the enrolled child. If a family register is not available, an extract from the birth certificate showing parentage is accepted.
• A recent proof of address—such as a gas or electricity bill or a rent receipt dated within the last three months—confirms your residence.
• The information sheet and image rights authorizations: These internal forms allow us to contact parents in case of an emergency. They also specify who is authorized to pick up the child after school.
• A certificate of withdrawal: If your child has previously attended another school, this document certifies that their enrollment at that school has been canceled.

Each private facility has its own internal admission policies. To learn more about the admission process for toddlers, you can read our article onenrolling in preschool starting at age 2.

The Health Record and Mandatory Vaccinations

Children's health records are an essential part of the documentation submitted to the school. You must provide documentation proving that the required vaccinations for attendance in a group setting are up to date.

Here is what the administrative staff checks at the time of admission:

• Copies of the vaccination pages from the health record: The pages regarding mandatory vaccinations must be submitted. They allow us to verify that the child is protecting his or her own health and that of his or her classmates.
• A medical certificate stating there are no contraindications: Some schools require a statement from the child’s primary care physician confirming the child’s ability to function in a group setting.
• The Health Information Form: This document lists any allergies, current treatments, or special precautions to be taken during childcare hours.

In France, the law specifies the list of vaccines required for enrollment in an early childhood care facility or a school. To learn about the regulatory requirements regarding children’s health, please visit theHealth Insurance website.

Additional requirements when the child is from abroad

If you are arriving from another country, you will need to adjust the administrative preparation of the required documents. Families moving to France must include a few specific supporting documents to complete their child’s application.

The additional documents generally required include:

• Certified translations of civil status documents: If official documents, such as a birth certificate, are not written in French, a translation by a certified translator is required.
• Previous school records: Assessment forms or teacher reports from the child’s previous school help the new staff better understand the child’s educational history.
• Proof of health insurance: The school verifies that the child has valid health coverage or insurance valid in France.
• Proof of legal residency: For non-European Union nationals, the legal guardians’ residency permits may be included among the documents to be submitted.

Planning ahead for these international procedures helps ensure a smooth transition to the new school setting. The teaching staff welcomes children from all linguistic backgrounds to facilitate their gradual integration.

When should I prepare the application materials, and in what order?

It's best to start organizing your application several months before the start of the school year. Gather the required documents in stages to avoid last-minute revisions.

Here is the recommended timeline for completing your steps:

• About a year before the start of the school year: Contact the school of your choice to find out its admissions schedule and the requirements for requesting information.
• Six months before the start of the school year: Check that your identification documents are valid and request recent civil status records if necessary.
• Three months before the start of the school year: Make an appointment with your healthcare provider to check your child's vaccinations and fill out the health form.
• The month before enrollment: Request a withdrawal certificate from your child’s previous school if your child was already enrolled there.

Once you have gathered all the documents, you can submit the complete application package to the school's office or bring it with you to your admission appointment.

École M's commitment

At theÉcole M, we provide families with attentive support throughout the enrollment process. Our teams are committed to providing clear answers to all your administrative and educational questions.

The admissions process at theÉcole M consists of four steps: a non-binding request for information, a presentation about the school by phone or during a videoconference information session, a meeting at the school with your child, and finally, the completion of the enrollment process.

At theÉcole M, the tour is led by the school principal or the admissions director, who will answer your questions and show you around the classrooms and school facilities.

Enrollment at theÉcole M is open year-round. Because our classes have small class sizes, spots fill up quickly: they are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

👉 Would you like to speak with our team and arrange for your child to attend? You can schedule an admission visitor fill out our online form directly to enroll your child.