SETTLING IN - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - page 116

opportunities for scheduled activities, structured events
and sports. Museums have special educational programmes
for children, and puppet theatres and circuses schedule
their entertainment for when children are out of school.
Activities hors scolaires (extra-curricular) are encouraged
and often arranged in both public schools and international
bilingual schools. Most public libraries have children's books,
records and videos; several are devoted entirely to children.
Playgrounds and sporting facilities are found in every
arrondissement . So all told, a child's experience in Paris, although
highly structured, should be rewarding and pleasant.
Contacts and Resources
Message (http//www.messageparis.org) is an English-
speaking group for families with young children, as well as
expectant and new mothers. Message organises meetings,
events, parenthood classes, baby and toddler groups and
a working mother's group. Message publishes The ABCs of
Parenting in Paris , which is an extensive guide to family living
in Paris. As Message is a volunteer organisation, contacts
change and it's best to access the website to find the most
current information.
The mairie has detailed information about all aspects
of schooling in Paris. Ask for Tout Petit à Paris , a guide to
everything you need to know concerning small children in
Paris and Élève à Paris , which details education from birth
to schooling.
Day Care
The French believe in early socialisation for their children.
It is widely held that children who have attended day care
perform better in their early school years than children who
have not, so a high percentage of babies and toddlers are
sent to day care.
Some 520 public crèches (day-care centres) operate
within Paris. Crèches are subsidised, with fees based on
income and need. Crèches are extremely over-enrolled, and
many expectant mothers register their child even before
birth. Start thinking about this even before your baby