The Minister of Solidarity, Aurore Bergé, met on Tuesday with the actors of the early childhood sector. Representatives of the main trade unions of professionals and the main organizations of crèche companies were invited.
For the Minister, the challenge was twofold. First, defuse two bombs about to explode. Two books-investigations with revelations announced as shattering are appearing these days, including The Price of the Cradle this Friday. Then, reaffirm to professionals in the sector that the government has taken into account their wage demands and their requests for improved working conditions.
There are two pricing methods among crèches: the single service provision (PSU) and the childcare service (PAJE).
For crèches having chosen the PAJE, the rate for families is set by the CAF according to the family quotient. These crèches represent approximately 420,000 of the 492,000 places in the French stock. They can be managed by the municipality, the department, a private company or even an association.
The first criticism is that of the lack of social diversity. Dues often exceed a thousand euros, only well-to-do families can enroll their children there.
The second reproach is that of poorer reception conditions. The PAJE benefit, for the moment, from a derogation allowing them to operate, during the first hours of the day, with a reduced workforce. A single professional can supervise up to three children. This allows micro-crèches to be open over a longer time slot.
Following this tragedy, the government decided that at least two professionals must be present from the first child welcomed. The measure is part of the quality of reception plan unveiled in June by the government. It is not yet known when it will come into force. But this new constraint will in itself shake up the economic model of micro-crèches.
The mission letter, to which Le Point had access, stipulates that the Igas and the IGF must “propose any way of improving the model of the PAJE micro-crèches, able to guarantee the quality of the reception reserved for children” . However, the inspectors must not neglect the principle of equity in their study: “The geographical and financial accessibility of the offer to families is structurally at the heart of the concerns that guide them. »
Clearly, the inspectors will have to determine the burden on public finances of better support by the State for micro-crèche tariffs. They will also have to propose other co-financiers of the system, etc.
These crèches represent a good seventh of the total number of childcare places in France. The early childhood sector is already suffering from a lack of around 10,000 professionals, according to a study by the National Family Allowance Fund published in July 2022.