Paris - Post Report Question and Answers
Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
We were able to get our 4 and 2 year old into local school. You need to register with your local ministry. The amount you pay is based on family size and income. For infants, it’s easier to get into a private daycare than government run. We pay around €500 combined. - May 2022
No before and after school care, but you can work with the Mayor's office and get your child into the summer break courses (in French). - Sep 2021
There are some, but difficult to get in to. You have to work the system early and often. This is one of the biggest challenges here for expats. - Feb 2015
There are tons of public and private options, but you have to plan way in advance and work with the French bureaucracy. - Jan 2011
No personal info, but people say good things about the French creches for preschoolers and ecoles maternelles. - Apr 2009
I don't have experience with preschool/daycare but know that daycare is expensive. I know that spouses often opt not to work instead of working and paying for daycare. French preschools are available but I have heard that American kids can have trouble adapting if they don't speak french and the french school children often are not quick to accept kids from other countries. Try to find a British run preschool if you can afford it. - Jun 2008
