The Kindergarten for 2 to 5 year olds: the first learning cycle (cycle 1)
The French nursery school : a first ambitious first stage of education, attentive to the development, needs and well-being of young children.
One of the distinctive features of the French education system is that children can begin school at the age of two. Nursery school forms the first cycle of French primary education, known as Cycle 1. It comprises the following classes :
From the age of 2
The year they turn three
The year of turning four
The year of the 5th birthday
A typical day
On Wednesdays, lessons finish at 11:50 am, and after-school care is available from 12 noon to 5:30 pm.
The six areas of learning
Assessment is based primarily on daily observation of each child. Pupils develop skills at their own pace across the six areas of learning throughout the cycle. They take an active part in assessing their own progress, which is documented in their Learning Progress Record.
How do children learn in nursery school
All children are capable of learning and progressing.
The classroom is a learning community where children begin to develop a sense of citizenship, learn to respect shared rules and discover the diversity of cultures around the world.
Teachers create a variety of learning experiences built around clear educational objectives. These activities are designed to meet the needs of individual pupils and the class as a whole, taking children's cognitive development into account.
Learning through play
Play enriches children's learning experiences throughout the cycle. It supports all areas of learning, helping children develop independence, explore the world around them, use their imagination, develop their physical skills and experiment with different rules and social roles.
Learning through hands-on activities
Young children learn over an extended period, and their progress is rarely linear. Learning often requires a period of familiarisation, during which children may repeat familiar processes or explore new situations. Consolidating these skills requires repeated practice in a variety of contexts.
Learning through repetition and memorisation
From the very first year of life, children rely heavily on sensory information to understand their environment. Physical and artistic activities engage the body and help develop attention and memory skills.
Learning together
In nursery school, teachers create learning situations that help children learn as part of a group, gradually learning to set aside their immediate desires (for example, doing activities or paying attention at the same time as others and following group instructions). Through encouragement and support from their peers, teachers help children develop cooperation, learn to make an effort and persevere.
Our nursery team
Nursery school in pictures
