For many families moving to Monaco, the question of educating their children is vital. What school to attend, what’s the enrollment process like? Despite Monaco’s compact, it is boasting a well-developed network of nurseries, kindergartens and schools—ranging from state-run to international institutions. And the government is striving to ensure for the enrollment and education processes to be as convenient as possible for the families.

To start with, the parents need to decide which system to choose from: public or private. When choosing a municipal kindergarten or a preschool group, consider your place of residence and work location. Schools in Monaco are typically allocated based on a geographical proximity and the family’s daily logistics.

Young children’s admission process to the kindergarten is strictly regulated. Priority is given to certain family categories, application deadlines need to be respected and a list of supporting documents need to be provided.

To enroll your child in a nursery or a kindergarten, the application need to be submitted not directly with the facility, but through the municipal services. Young children and Family Service (Service Petite Enfance et Familles) at Monaco City Hall is the one responsible for admissions to municipal nurseries and kindergartens.

Pre-registration is done via the municipal digital Family Portal (Portail Famille ). Here you can submit your application, upload documents, track your application status.

As to schools, the admission procedure is determined by their type. Public schools are managed by DENJS,  Direction de l’Éducation Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports. Applications are submitted directly to the school or through the government’s education service.

If you are opting for a private school, contact it directly and complete an online form on the school’s website.

Monaco’s schools are open to different nationalities, certain priorities are given, however.  State-run nurseries and kindergartens are thus prioritizing Monegasque citizens, families officially residing in the Principality, parents working in Monaco and those struggling socially or health wise.

For family-based nurseries, additional priority is granted to children with special health needs or parents working non-standard hours.

When applying for state schools, your address is a key factor. Monaco citizens and residents are enrolled on a priority basis.

The list of required documents for state-run nurseries or kindergartens varies based on the child’s age and type of facility. Basic package, however, includes: birth certificate (a translation is required for foreign-issued documents), proof of Monaco residency or employment, parents’ identification documents, medical record, insurance and a family record book (livret de famille), if applicable.

Additional documents may include report cards, previous school reference, proof of French language proficiency and any other records of the child’s prior education.

Detailed requirements are published on the government website MonServicePublic.

Parents typically apply for nurseries and kindergartens months before the intended start date. Since the places are limited, the municipality is suggesting you submit your application as early as possible— for younger children in particular.

Applications for state schools are typically made in the spring prior to the new academic year. Deadlines may differ for international and private schools. Subject to availability, enrollment is sometimes possible throughout the year.