Lille, a major city in northern France near the Belgian border, reflects France’s commitment to accessible and structured early childhood education. As with the rest of the country, preschool (“école maternelle”) attendance from the age of three is almost universal, following the national curriculum ([Reference 1]).
Lille places strong emphasis on early literacy and language development, responding to the linguistic diversity found in the region. Schools often integrate special language acquisition programs and early interventions supported by the “Programme de Réussite Éducative” (PRE) ([Reference 2]).
In addition, Lille actively promotes inclusive education, particularly through the “ULIS École” system ([Reference 3]), which supports children with special educational needs (SEN) to fully participate in regular classrooms with additional specialized help.
The city’s proximity to Belgium and its multicultural environment encourage early exposure to multiple languages, and there are growing initiatives around bilingual French-Dutch programs.
As a kindergarten director, I find Lille’s careful balance between academic excellence, linguistic richness, and inclusive practice to be a model for creating vibrant, equitable learning communities from the earliest years.

References:

• [1] French Ministry of Education: National Curriculum for École Maternelle

• [2] Programme de Réussite Éducative (PRE) Overview, Ministry of Education

• [3] French Ministry of Education: ULIS École (Special Needs Inclusion Program)

ベルギー国境に近い北フランスの中心都市リールは、フランスの幼児教育への強い取り組みを象徴する街の一つです。全国共通の「エコール・マテルネル（école maternelle）」に基づき、3歳からの就園がほぼ普及しています。
リールでは特に言語発達支援に力を入れており、地域の多言語環境に対応するため、「教育成功プログラム（Programme de Réussite Éducative, PRE）」に基づく早期介入型支援が積極的に行われています。
また、特別支援教育（SEN）にも力を入れ、「ULIS École」制度により、支援を必要とする子どもたちも通常クラスで学びながら、個別支援を受けられる体制が整備されています。
ベルギーとの文化的交流が盛んなため、フランス語とオランダ語によるバイリンガル教育プログラムの導入も徐々に進められています。
学問的な厳格さと言語的多様性、そして包摂性を高い次元で両立するリールの教育モデルは、私たちが理想とする教育コミュニティの一つと言えるでしょう。

Marseille, France’s second-largest city and a major Mediterranean port, faces unique challenges and opportunities in early childhood education. Like the rest of France, Marseille follows the national “école maternelle” curriculum ([Reference 1]), emphasizing early language development, socialization, and creativity.
However, given its high level of social diversity and economic disparity, Marseille is heavily involved in the “Réseaux d’Éducation Prioritaire Plus” (REP+) system ([Reference 2]), which provides additional funding and specialized support to preschools serving disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Initiatives such as “Parcours d’Éducation Artistique et Culturelle” ([Reference 3]) are particularly prominent in Marseille, introducing young children to arts and culture early on, seen as a way to bridge social divides and foster integration.
Many preschools also prioritize outdoor learning, utilizing Marseille’s unique coastal environment to enhance children’s physical and environmental education.
As a kindergarten director, I am deeply moved by Marseille’s efforts to ensure that all children—regardless of their background—can access a nurturing, rich, and inspiring educational environment from their earliest years.

References:

• [1] French Ministry of Education: National Curriculum for École Maternelle

• [2] REP+ Priority Education Networks Overview

• [3] French Ministry of Culture: Artistic and Cultural Education Pathways (Parcours EAC)