How to enroll kids in daycare and school in Luxembourg
This guide informs parents about how the educational system operates, the type of kindergarten or school their child will attend upon moving, and how their child will be educated
For moms and dads relocating to Luxembourg with their children and planning to enroll them in a local school or daycare center, the issue of where and how to place the child is especially pressing.
Up to 3 monthsIn the Grand Duchy, the integration of children into society and the education system is closely interconnected. Although Luxembourg offers pre-school, school, and higher education, each stage has specific features. Pre-school and school education are linked to the stages of fundamental and secondary education. Fundamental education is further divided into cycles.
Enseignement fondamental, or basic education
Fundamental education in Luxembourg lasts for 9 years, from ages 4 to 12, and is structured into four cycles.
Enseignement secondaire, or secondary education
After the fundamental education, this stage begins. In Luxembourg, secondary education is received in middle schools, all of which are called lycées. This period lasts for 7 years and is divided into junior (12-14 years) and senior (15-18 years) levels.
Pre-school education includes daycare and school preparation – optional and compulsory.
All children who turn 6 years old are enrolled in school. Like compulsory pre-school education, you have the option to choose between a free public school in Luxembourg or a fee-paying private school.
Schooling in Luxembourg includes elementary school (cycles 2-4 of fundamental education) and secondary school (Enseignement secondaire).
| Age | Level | Cycle | Attendance |
| 3 months - 4 years | Preschool | — | Optional |
| 3-4 years | Preschool | — | Optional |
| 4-5 years | Preschool | 1 | Compulsory |
All children who reach the age of 4 years old must go to compulsory pre-school classes. When a child turns 6 years old, they must go to elementary school.
Nearly all necessary documents must be acquired at your place of permanent residence before entering Luxembourg. Some of these documents are required for entry, while others are essential for settling in once you arrive.
The state school assignment is based on the «closest to home» principle, which is why it is important to rent a flat and get a permanent residence address as soon as possible. To do this one needs to register in the commune.
Submit the children's documents when registering in the municipality and ask for this information to be sent to the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg. In theory, this is done automatically, but it is better to remind.
Finding and renting an apartment in the Grand Duchy is a significant concern for every expat. The process involves choosing a commune, city, or neighborhood, calculating the budget, signing a contract, and understanding other essential nuances. We have detailed these aspects in a separate guide, which we invite you to study for comprehensive information.
Once you have a long-term lease agreement, you can register with the municipality and secure a school placement.
How to get a fixed residential address?
- Go to the municipality in person with your documents and use the electronic queue.
- Submit the documents for both you and your children and ask for the information to be sent to the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg.
- Complete the registration process with the commune office and receive two documents: your social security number and your declaration of arrival.
- Wait for a reply from the Directorate of Education, you will receive an invitation for an interview at a public school for school-age children or compulsory pre-school education.
The decision to send a child to a nursery or daycare center (also known as crèches and mini-crèches) before the elective preschool is a parent's decision. Parents usually choose a childcare center based on several major factors: the supervision of the child while they work, the child's development, and socialization.
How to enroll your child in creche or daycare?
- Apply documents
To enroll in a public daycare center, you need to come to the commune administration office in the municipality where you live and fill out a form. However, there may be limited places available in public facilities. For private daycare centers, you can register online and request a spot for your child. A manager will then contact you and offer you the opportunity to visit the nursery or kindergarten.
- Arrange a visit
It's essential to schedule a visit to the chosen nursery or daycare center to ensure it provides a comfortable and safe environment for your child.
- Confirm participation
This step is particularly important for private institutions. Here, you affirm your commitment to enroll your child in the selected institution and agree to the associated costs. Opt for daycare centers that collaborate with the CSA, as this affiliation can help reduce childcare costs through the Cheque Service support program.
The municipality where the family is registered will mail a letter to the parents, together with a form to be filled in if they wish their child to be enrolled in optional education.The municipality where the family is registered will mail a letter to the parents, together with a form to be filled in if they wish their child to be enrolled in optional education.
Since preschool education from 3 to 4 years of age (Precoce) is not compulsory, parents are not obliged to, but may optionally enroll their children in the program. Nevertheless, once accepted, the child must attend classes regularly and parents are responsible for monitoring attendance.
In case parents choose to enroll their child in Precose, they must send a set of documents to the municipality by April 1st:
- Duly filled out the application form;
- Child's birth certificate;
- Certificate of family composition (or extract from the household directory).
An extended-day group is called Maison Relais in Luxembourg, but it is not for everyone and requires an additional fee. If both parents are employed, the child is automatically enrolled in after-school care. However, if one of the parents is not working, the Maison Relais is only available when there are vacant places.
Some centers may have certain age restrictions. Before enrolling your child in an after-school program in Luxembourg, make sure that he or she meets the age requirements.
How to register and enroll your children to Maison Relais in Luxembourg?
- Choose a suitable maison relais in your municipality
Maison relais usually operate at the commune level and offer care outside of regular school hours, serving families whose children live or study in the commune.
- Contact the selected center in person or by phone to inquire about availability
As places are limited and usually the allocation happens whe some spots become vacant, it is important to seek options and information prior the beginning of the year.
- Plan a visit to a Maison Relais center to view the facilities and meet the staff in person
Due to their focus on location and enrollment address, it is necessary to visit the Maison Relais in your commune in person. It will also allow you to see facilities and make an informed choice.
- Obtain the necessary registration forms from the Maison Relais center and complete them with care
It is usually a two pages form containing details about the child and parents. You will also be informed about the approximate dates when spaces might be available. Waiting lists can vary from a few weeks to several months, so it's advisable to contact them before the school year begins.
- After filling out the registration application, send it to the Maison Relais Center along with all required documents
Bring your child for a visit. Feel free to visit the facility before enrolling to assess the environment and pose any questions you may have to the staff.
- Await a response to your application
The Maison Relais Center will evaluate your application and inform you of the status of your enrollment. If your child is accepted, you will be given further details regarding the start date and any additional requirements.
To complete the application form at Maison Relais, the following details are required:
Information about the child
Medical information
Information about parents or legal guardians
Information about third parties
Beyond providing personal information, attaching necessary documents is required.
Chèque-service Accueil — is a voucher system that is intended to cover the cost of any public or private crèche by the government. In Luxembourg, all parents are entitled to apply for Cheque-Service Accueil and request financial support for raising their kids. This applies to children from birth to 12 years of age, both residents and expats.
To be eligible for chèque-service accueil (CSA) in Luxembourg, certain criteria must be met. CSA is available to any family living in Luxembourg that fulfills the following conditions:
Age of the child
Participation in compulsory pre-school or basic education
Particular requirements for non-residents
As a result, parents will receive a personalized card for a child – carte personnalisée au nom de l’enfant – that is valid for 12 months. Currently, there is an option to keep everything online. You must present it when your child enters kindergarten or daycare in Luxembourg to benefit from the reduced payment rate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How is the education system structured in Luxembourg and how are children allocated when relocating from other places?
In Luxembourg, the education system's organization and the integration of children into society are closely linked. While Luxembourg has pre-school, school, and higher education like many countries, each stage has its unique features. For instance, pre-school and school education are linked to certain cycles of fundamental and secondary education.
How is school placement works in Luxembourg?
Why school interview is required in Luxembourg?
What is a welcome meeting in Luxembourg schools?
At what age can a child join an after-school program (Maison Relais) in Luxembourg?
In Luxembourg, Maison Relais centers accept children aged 4 to 12, including those enrolled in school. While selection criteria may slightly differ from one center to another, priority is usually given to children who attend school in the same commune.
What are childcare vouchers (CSA) in Luxembourg?
Childcare vouchers, known as chèque-service accueil (CSA) in Luxembourg, offer financial assistance to working parents, both residents and non-residents, for childcare expenses for children up to 12 years old.
Source: www.croix-rouge.lu, differdange.lu, www.ecole-montessori.lu, men.public.lu, osvitoria.media, luxembourg.public.lu
We took photos from these sources: Tim Mossholder for Unsplash
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