Preschool Education and School Adjustment

France has one of the oldest systems of public preschool education in Europe. The legal basis of the system, established in 1886, stressed that preschool education should be treated as an integral part of primary schooling. Teachers in the écoles maternelles are required to complete a full course of elementary school teacher training. Although preschool education is optional, about 95% of all French children in the 5-6 age bracket are enrolled in preschool classes (or, if close to age 6, in the 1st grade of primary school).