Moving with children, one step at a time.
School deadlines come early, records take time, and children need the move explained. These are the steps Rootstep adds when children move with you.
Six months or more before you leave
Research schools and their deadlines
about 8 months before you leavePlaces, waiting lists and application deadlines differ widely. Some fill a year ahead.
- Compare public, international and bilingual schools
- Note application deadlines
- With children under six
Apply for childcare
about 5 months before you leaveDaycare waiting lists can be months long.
- Apply to several places
- Ask about public subsidies
Three to six months before
- Official step
Apply for a school place
Plan for: about 3 months before you leaveSchool is compulsory in most countries. Places are often assigned by district once you have an address.
- Apply to the school or school office
- Book placement tests if required
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- Official stepWith family moving with you
Apply for your family's visas
Plan for: about 3 months before you leaveA partner and children usually need their own visas, often applied for together with yours.
- Check whether family members apply with you or after you
- Use apostilled and translated certificates
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- With teenagers
Check what teenagers must do themselves
about 3 months before you leaveOlder teenagers may sign their own forms or need their own permit.
- Check age rules for permits, ID and bank accounts
- Involve them in their steps
- Official step
Get custody papers if parents are separated
Plan for: about 3 months before you leaveSchools, and for a move abroad visas and borders, may ask who has custody.
- Get a certified copy of the order
- For a move abroad, add an apostille and translation
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
One to three months before
- Official stepWhen you move to a new town
Check the school's vaccination requirements
Plan for: about 9 weeks before you leaveSome countries require proof of certain vaccinations before school or childcare.
- Check the official requirements
- Catch up on missing vaccinations
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- With family moving with you
Check your partner's right to work
about 9 weeks before you leaveSome family permits allow work, others need a separate permit.
- Read the work rights for the family permit
- Plan the partner's job search
- When you move to a new town
Collect school reports and support plans
about 9 weeks before you leaveSchools place children by their records.
- Ask teachers for a summary
- Translate them if the new school asks
Talk with the children about the move and keep routines
about 9 weeks before you leaveChildren cope better when they know what happens and when.
- Explain the plan and the dates
- Keep bedtime and school routines
- Plan how to keep in touch with friends
- Contract
Tell the current school or childcare and get the records
about 4 weeks before you leaveNotice periods apply, and the new school needs leaving certificates.
- Give notice in writing
- Ask for reports and a leaving certificate
The last month
- Official stepWhen you move abroad
Get a consent letter from any parent who is not travelling
Plan for: about 3 weeks before you leaveBorder officers may ask for consent when a child travels without both parents.
- Have the other parent sign the letter
- Attach a copy of their ID
- Check whether it needs notarising
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
Later, once you've settled
Check in on how the children are settling
about 9 weeks after you arriveProblems at a new school show up after the first weeks.
- Talk with teachers
- Keep regular calls with old friends
- Official stepWhen you move abroad
Claim child benefit or family allowance
Plan for: about 9 weeks after you arriveMany countries pay families, but only from the claim date or a few months back.
- Apply once you have the tax number
- Stop the payment at home
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- With family moving with youWhen you move to a new town
Support your partner's job search
about 3 months after you arriveA partner without work is the most common reason moves fail.
- Check work rights
- Use the employer's spouse support if offered
Let the dates take care of themselves.
Rootstep puts these steps in one plan with the rest of the move, and you can give each one to someone in the family. Try everything free for 9 days; your plan stays free to follow, and one payment keeps you planning.