Childcare Options in France
Find out about the different childcare and daycare options in France from birth to school age...
There are
many childcare options in France, from birth to school age. Finding daycare in
larger cities can prove difficult especially in state-run daycare centres
(creches). The childcare options available to families in France include:
- Assistante
Maternelle - a qualified nanny
- Halte Garderie - a
daycare centre for children up to the age of three
- Crèches - daycare
centres; there are different types of creches - state-funded, parental
creches, family creches and company creches
- Jardin d’Enfants -
daycare centres for children aged 2 to 6
- Nannies and Au
Pairs
For the
majority of state-run services, the amount you pay is dependent on your income
and is tax deductible.
Assistante Maternelle
Also called
a nounou, an assistante maternelle looks after your child from age 2 months
onward either at your home, at their home, or in a centre with other
assistantes maternelles called a maison d'assistantes maternelles. You will
need to sign a work contract with the nounou, and one for each of your children
that they look after. The assistante maternelle can look after your child for
up to 45 hours per week, but must have a minimum of 24 consecutive hours off
per week. A list of local assistantes maternelles can be found at the local
Town Hall (Mairie).
Halte Garderie
These
daycare centres provide occasional daycare, or daycare for a few days a week.
To find a Halte Garderie in France, visit Caf, the
family allowance website or ask at the local Mairie.
For more
on Halte Garderie visit the Service Public website
Crèches
This type
of daycare centre is for children aged 2 months to 3 years. A state-run crèche
can look after up to 60 children at any one time, there are also mini crèches
that look after up to 10 children. Family crèches welcome 1 to 4 children and
parental crèches can take up to 25 children.
Finding a
place can be difficult in large towns and cities, and many parents try to enrol
their children as soon as the pregnancy is known, however, it’s worth knowing
that many of these crèches won’t register you on the list before the 6th month
of pregnancy.
You can
search for your nearest centre online via Mon-enfant.fr.
For more
on crèches visit the Service Public website
Jardin d’Enfants
These
daycare centres or kindergartens, are for children aged 2 to 6, and provide
occasional daycare as well as educational activities. They can be ideal for
children that are already at school, and only go part time, or if you need
ad-hoc daycare. Schooling for children aged 3
was made compulsory in 2019. Enrolment takes place at the Town hall of
your place of residence.
Nannies
A nanny
can be found through specialised nanny/au pair agencies and will cost more than
state-run daycare options. However, having a nanny, especially live-in, can provide
more flexibility.
Children
start compulsory education in the year they turn three.
Care for sick children and emergency leave
If your
child is sick, daycare centres will not accept to look after your child. There
may be more flexibility with assistante maternelles. Employees in the private
sector, have the right to take 3 days off work per year to care for their sick
child, although certain collective agreements may allow for more than that.
Unless stipulated in a your work contract or in a collective agreement, these
days are unpaid, with the exception of Alsace Moselle, where it is paid. You
will need to provide a medical certificate from a doctor stating that your
child is ill and requires the presence of a parent.
If your
child is very ill or has a disability and requires your presence over a longer
period, you are entitled to request time off. This is called a congé de
présence parentale, which can be taken for up to 310 days over a 3 year
period. During this time, your work contract is suspended and you don’t receive
any salary. You may, however, be entitled to an allowance called the Allocation
journalière de présence parentale.
Childcare for children during school holidays
During
French school holidays and outside of school hours there are a few options to
have your school-age children looked after:
Garderie: Each
maternelle and primary school has the garderie service. This service provides a
place where parents can leave their children under supervised care prior to
school opening and after school closing times. It usually takes place within
the school premises. The children are looked after by qualified carers (not
teachers) often called dames de services. They are usually employed directly by
the local mairie and may carry out other functions within the school. They look
after the children who play, draw and do other activities while in the
garderie. Working parents needing the garderie service must first register at
the mairie prior to the start of the school term. The cost is based on household
income and parents will be asked to produce salary slips and tax declaration
form to determine the fee. The garderie usually opens at 07:30 and closes after
school at 18:00.
- For
information on the school system in the early years, see the section on French Schooling & Education in France
Centre
Aeré or Centre de Loisirs: These are organisations catering for
children from age four. Working parents may put their children into a centre on
Wednesdays and during school holidays. It is also possible to register a child
to attend during school holidays even if the parent doesn't work. Some centres
work on a ticket basis; a child may attend from time to time using the tickets.
Other centres require parents to book ahead, so that appropriate staff
(animatrices and animateurs) can be efficiently arranged.
Prior
booking is becoming more and more common, but each centre - usually an
independent association - has its own regulations. It is advisable (and almost
obligatory) to enrol a child for holidays at least two weeks before end of term
as some centres get fully booked very quickly. Parents will be asked for the
usual paperwork to enrol the child which includes:
- Proof of residence
- Carnet de sante
with vaccinations
- (not always
required) a medical certificate from a doctor, stating that the child is
fit enough to go to the centre loisirs
Parents
will have to complete the enrolment form including among other things: full
contact details, information about any allergies the child has and information
about any adults authorised to collect the child.
Children
are divided by age groups and can participate in a wide variety of activities,
with many outings and projects offered. Meals are available at the canteen.
- Detailed
information on Centre de Loisirs (in French)
Colonies
de Vacances: These are summer holiday camps where children go away and stay
for a week to three in a centre which specialises in outdoor activities or
other themed activities such as art, theatre or music. The Colonies de Vacances
usually cater to older children although many do take younger children, from
age 4 to 18. There are many Colonies de Vacances throughout France, where it is
a long-enjoyed tradition. Each centre is independently operated. Parents should
telephone a centre directly at least two months before the holidays to receive
enrolment forms.
Information
about colonie de vacances and centre de vacances from Service Public
References
and further information
- Assistantes Maternelles - Information
from Service Public
- Information about
the Allocation de Presence
Parentale