If you move with your family, Emilia-Romagna offers many services for you and your children. In the case of dependent children, it is useful to check the enrollment methods in the pre-school and school system of Emilia-Romagna. The age of majority in Italy is 18.
Family reunification
Family reunification is an essential tool that allows for family life, as it helps to create a socio-cultural stability that facilitates integration. If you are a foreign citizen, you must apply for a family reunification visa.
For more information:
Educational system of learning and training in Italy
The Italian pre-school system (from 0 to 5 years)
- Nurseries (0 to 3 years): for children from 0 to 3 years, it is possible to take advantage of public or private daycare services (or nurseries)
Informa famiglie – Nurseries (only in Italian)
- pre-school (3 to 5 years): for children aged 3 to 5 school is not compulsory, but there are both public and private pre-schools available.
MIUR – Pre-school (only in Italian)
MIUR – National education system (only in Italian)
Informa famiglie – Pre-school (only in Italian)
The Italian mandatory education system (from 6 to 16 years)
The Italian school system is mandatory for children aged 6 to 16 and is divided into educational levels:
- mandatory primary school (from ages 6 to 10)
Informa famiglie – Primary school (only in Italian)
- secondary school first level or lower secondary school (middle school) mandatory (from ages 11 to 14)
MIUR – Lower Secondary school (middle school) (only in Italian)
Informa famiglie – Lower Secondary school (middle school) (only in Italian)
second cycle of education (high school education) from ages 14 to 19. It is divided into two types of programs:
- upper secondary school (high schools, technical institutes, professional institutes), lasting five years
MIUR – Upper Secondary School (High School) (only in Italian)
MIUR – School guidance (only in Italian)
Search for your school (only in Italian)
Informa famiglie – School guidance (only in Italian)
- three-year and four-year courses in vocational education and training (IeFP) of regional competence
MIUR – School guidance (only in Italian)
Emilia-Romagna – IEFP (only in Italian)
Emilia-Romagna – School guidance (only in Italian)
Other useful links
Registration of foreign students (only in Italian)
Integration of foreign students (only in Italian)
Babysitting and baby parking
If you need a babysitter with whom you can entrust your children occasionally or even for several hours a day, in Emilia-Romagna there are organizations which provide lists of babysitters, such as: centers for families, informa families and children branches, associations and local cooperatives. Additionally, there are several baby parking services.
For more information:
Informa famiglie – Babysitter and baby parking (only in Italian)
Intercultural centers of Emilia-Romagna
Intercultural centers are places of mediation and meeting between cultures and they represent an important resource for local institutions and citizenship as they promote a positive and open approach to diversity. Each cultural center organizes different events and initiatives for youth and adults.
For more information:
List of intercultural centers in Emilia-Romagna (only in Italian)
Cultural and recreational activities for children and young adults
Emilia-Romagna is very attentive to the promotion of children's rights and offers free services spread throughout the regional territory dedicated to promoting the socialization of all children and youth, with particular attention to the integration of foreign minors.
There is a vast array of services: from meeting centers and cultural centers to specialized libraries.
For more information:
Cultural and recreational activities for children in Emilia-Romagna (only in Italian)
Other useful links
- Informa famiglie – Associations for foreign families (only in Italian)
- Informa famiglie – Services (only in Italian)
- Informa famiglie – Economic aid to families (only in Italian)
