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Childcare options for children under 3
Children under 3 who do not go to school yet can be looked after by professionals. These professionals specialise in childcare.
Key points of the sheet
- This service is not free. But there is financial help for people with low incomes.
- There are different childcare places. There, children are in contact with other children. These places look after children from 2 and a half months, and in some cases up to 6 years.
- The crèche looks after many children on a regular basis. There are several types: group crèche, workplace crèche, parent-run crèche…
- The micro-crèche looks after 10 children at most. It looks after them regularly or only on some days.
- The halte-garderie looks after the child on some days, no more than 3 half-days a week. There are fewer professionals than in a crèche.
- The childminder (assistante maternelle) can look after one or several children at the same time. She can also look after a child under 3 in addition to school.
- For home childcare, the parents directly employ a person who comes to their home. This option costs more and is less supervised.
Words to know
- crèche (day nursery)
- It is a place that looks after many children regularly, with various activities.
- parent-run crèche (crèche parentale)
- It is a crèche where the parents share the childcare times.
- micro-crèche (small day nursery)
- It is a crèche that looks after 10 children at most.
- halte-garderie (part-time childcare centre)
- It looks after the child on some days, no more than 3 half-days a week.
- childminder (assistante maternelle)
- She can look after one or several children at the same time.
- financial help (aides financières)
- They exist for people with low incomes, because childcare is not free.
Test yourself: 3 questions
From what age do childcare places take children?
In French, the language of the exam: À partir de quel âge les lieux de garde accueillent-ils les enfants ?
Childcare places look after children from 2 and a half months.
How many children can a micro-crèche look after at most?
In French, the language of the exam: Combien d'enfants une micro-crèche garde-t-elle au maximum ?
The micro-crèche is a crèche that looks after 10 children at most.
Which childcare option costs more and is less supervised?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle solution de garde est plus chère et moins encadrée ?
At home, the parents employ a person in their home. This option costs more and is less supervised.
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More in this topic (Parenthood)
- Withdrawal of parental authority
- Parents' duties and role at school
- Exercising parental authority (1/2)
Source
Sheet “Les modes de garde des enfants de moins de 3 ans” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.