Choosing the French nursery school in Bilbao: the best investment in your children’s future
Choosing a child’s first school is, without doubt, one of the most crucial decisions for young parents. In Bilbao, the educational offer is varied, but one question remains: what environment will give your child the keys to succeed in a constantly changing world?
At the Lycée Français de Bilbao (LFB), we consider the early years stage (maternelle) not a simple transitional phase, but the cornerstone of lasting academic excellence. Choosing the French model means giving your child a competitive advantage from their very first steps, setting them on a path towards the world’s best universities.
1. Welcoming children from the age of 2: laying the foundations for excellence
Neuroscience research is unanimous: the first years of life are when brain plasticity reaches its peak. Welcoming children from the age of 2 into the Toute Petite Section (TPS) makes it possible to make the most of this unique window of opportunity.
Unlike a conventional daycare, our structure offers supervised educational stimulation. At this age, the child begins to structure their thinking, develops fine motor skills, and naturally and playfully immerses themselves in complex language structures.
Did you know…? UNESCO highlights that quality early childhood education is the most decisive factor for future academic success.
The importance of early childhood education – UNESCO
2. A pedagogical ambition: “Living together” and “Learning to be a pupil”
The French nursery school is recognised worldwide as a fully-fledged school. Our structured and ambitious programme prepares children for the demands of tomorrow:
Language mastery: We aim for a rich vocabulary and precise oral expression, the foundations of future analytical ability.
Intellectual rigour: Learning to reason, handle logical concepts, and persevere in effort.
Autonomy: Nurturing curiosity so that the child becomes the driving force behind their own learning.
3. A multilingual pathway towards the BFI (International French Baccalaureate)
Multilingualism at LFB begins in the first year of nursery school and flourishes in the prestigious BFI pathway. This early immersion (French, Spanish, English and Basque) exercises the child’s brain and prepares the high-level skills that will be assessed at the age of 18:
Ability to synthesise and analyse: Knowing how to navigate between languages and cultures.
Excellence in oral and written expression: Developing strong persuasive power and clarity of argument.
Project-based methodology: The BFI values students’ commitment to collaborative projects, fostering their initiative and responsibility.
4. From the early years to the world’s best universities
Investing in early years education at the Lycée Français de Bilbao means drawing a direct line to international higher education. The French baccalaureate, and especially its international version (BFI), is a passport to excellence recognised by the most prestigious institutions:
In France: Direct access to Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles (CPGE), Sciences Po and engineering schools.
Internationally: Strong recognition by Ivy League universities (USA), Oxbridge (UK) and leading European universities.
Universities seek profiles capable of structuring complex thinking, synthesising multilingual information, and leading ambitious projects. We begin cultivating these skills from day one in our nursery school.
Conclusion: More than a school, a destination
Choosing the Lycée Français de Bilbao means joining the AEFE network, which guarantees educational continuity in 139 countries. It means offering your child an environment where high standards become a habit and cultural diversity becomes a driver of success.
