Childcare

In Luxembourg, daycare for children is often an obstacle course, not only for residents but also for the Luxembourg cross-border workers. The time that it takes to find a nursery or childcare can be long, there is a high demand for places and the cost is expensive. It is not always easy to find a facility that meets the expectations of parents, both schedules, spoken languages and price. We also advise you to start your search early and visit several infrastructures. During the visits, soak up the atmosphere, look at what the children are doing. Is the ministerial approval visibly displayed? Depending on your perception, would you say the structure answers the health and safety standards? Ask for a copy of the rules and pedagogical concept, an example of the daily schedule and a weekly menu. Ask the opening hours and the annual leave. What happens if there is absence of your child due to illness …? In case of questions, do not hesitate to ask for clarification.

Créche

A crèche can be defined as any service which welcomes children (0-4yrs) and supports education without providing accommodation. In Luxembourg there are two types of nurseries: the state-supported day nurseries and crèches under agreement not supported by the state (private nurseries). It is therefore important to make a choice, especially if non-resident, as prices, schedules and procedures are not all the same. On the website of the Ministry of Family and Integration you can find a list of approved bodies. www.mfi.public.lu.

Garderie

‘Garderie’ means any service that relates to the welcome (without accommodation) and supervision of children under the age of 8 years for less than 16 hours per week per child. Again, the Ministry of Family and Integration has a list of approved bodies. www. mfi.public.lu.

Maison Relais pour Enfants

‘Maison relais pour enfants’ is the new concept of care for children outside of school hours and is characterised by the high flexibility of the offer. See also www.mfi.public.lu

The Assistant(e) Parental(e)

This person receives at home or at the homes of parents one or more children in exchange for payment. This person must obtain a permit from the Department of Family and Integration. Basic training of 120 hours is required if the applicant for approval has no qualification or experience in the area of social or health care of children. In addition, this person should have an annual supplementary training or supervision for 20 hours.
The activity of parental care is regulated by the Act of 30 September, 2007. This law has involved the creation of the agency Dageselteren. It is defined as a place of training, information and guidance for parental assistants, applicants for approval, parents and future parents, children and medico-social institutions. It aims to improve foster care and to promote the reconciliation of family and professional life. For more information, visit www.dageselteren.lu

The Nanny (la Nounou)

If you choose a nanny, your child will be raised at home by a person who takes care of him or her during the day. The advantage is that the child is kept in its home environment, is not rushing to be brought to an external infrastructure and often that person can take care of some housekeeping chores or even bathe your child before you get home from work. A real luxury for you. The disadvantage is the fact that your child does not interact with other children and can be rather ‘isolated’.

Fille au Pair

The law of February 18, 2013 rules hosting an au pair, aged between 18 and 30 and from abroad within a family in Luxembourg. To avoid abuse of all kinds, the Act regulates in a very precise having an au pair, defining the rights and duties of their host families and the young au pair. The dispositions of the Labour Code does not apply to an au pair. The main purpose of the au pair is cultural exchange. For the au pair, it is a rewarding experience and the opportunity to develop their language and cultural knowledge. It is housed and fed in a family, offering language training and participation in cultural activities. For the family, this is an opportunity to welcome a young stranger in the family for a specified period. Although the participation of the young au pair in family tasks is not the main purpose of the visit, the family has the support of the young au pair helping out with the young children and doing light household chores. The host family must meet the following three conditions:
1. Count among its members at least one child aged under 13 years at the beginning of the period of stay of the au pair;
2. Children who have not yet reached the age of 6, provide prove that their day care is taken care of for the duration of the stay of the au pair;
3. Produce a judicial certificate dated less than 3 months for all its major members at the beginning of the period of stay of the au pair proving that the moral conditions are met.

The family must be aware that the daily participation to family duties can not be the main purpose of the stay. It can not exceed 5 hours per day on average over a period of one week. Weekly hours can not exceed 30 hours on average over a period of one month or four weeks.

To meet legal requirements, the family that wants to invite a young au pair needs to undertake the following steps:
– Look for a young person who meets the requirements to become an au pair in Luxembourg;
– Conclude a hosting agreement with the young au pair;
– Introduction of an application for approval from the minister responsible for youth on a standard form with all relevant documents.