The French school systemis based on cycles, and Grande section is the end of Cycle 1. So while parents may feel a bit more pressure, the teachers try not to place any on the students. In terms of international equivalence, Grande section is the equivalent of Kindergarten, where children attend when they are 5 years old. Grande section kids will kno...

Maternelle starts at around 8:30am every morning and continues until 4:30pm. There is a 2-hour break in the middle of the day for lunch and recreation. A typical preschooler’s day involves: 1. Morning greeting– Singing a welcome song, counting the number of children in the class, etc. 2. Ateliers(workshops) – arts, crafts, writing, games, playdough...

Little Petite sectionners will have a nap, with proper mattresses and blankets for about 30-45 minutes every afternoon. Older Moyen and Grand section children will do a “temps calme” where they lie down on mats for around 20-30 minutes and rest. They may fall asleep if they are tired, but that is left up to them. The teachers usually go at the pace...