The childcare market - France

From 2020 onwards, the childcare market in France was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a historically low birth rate of 1.8 children per woman and disruption to services due to containment measures. Although the market is essential to support mothers' working lives, the pandemic led to the closure of childcare facilities and a shift towards priority care for the children of healthcare staff, teachers and single-parent families who were unable to telework. Before the crisis, France had over 15,000 childcare facilities and the market was valued at 3.7 billion euros. Despite this, there is a notable under-capacity in childcare, with a heavy reliance on individual childcare providers, with 61% of children under the age of three mainly looked after by their parents.

In addition, France offers significant financial assistance, such as tax breaks and CAF benefits, to offset costs for families, positioning it as one of the least expensive European countries for childcare, with an average monthly cost after subsidies of €119. Regional disparities persist in the pricing of services, with the highest hourly rates for crèches and childminders observed in Corsica and Île-de-France. The market plays an essential role in gender equality by enabling mothers to pursue their careers; however, the need to improve accessibility and capacity remains evident

The childcare ecosystem in France

The French childcare market is characterized by a complex demand pattern influenced by various socio-demographic trends. In recent years, the birth rate in France has fallen by almost 10% in the space of six years, positioning the market in a context of declining new customer numbers. However, despite the drop in the number of births, demand for childcare services remains considerable and exceeds available capacity, with theoretical childcare capacity able to accommodate just over half the child population.

In France, families make extensive use of childcare services to better reconcile their professional and private lives. These services are particularly essential for single-parent families, who account for between 10% and 15% of all families with children under 6. In these single-parent families, over 90% of children live with their mother, underlining the crucial role of the childcare market in supporting women's participation in the workforce. There is a noticeable trend towards the use of childminders and group childcare.

Among individual childcare arrangements, maternal assistants are preferred by over 85%, while group childcare in crèches is sought after for its socialization benefits. However, a significant proportion of childcare activities remain undeclared, with non-professional childcare accounting for between 30% and 35%.

The French market also shows marked geographical disparities. The cost of childcare services, such as crèches, varies across the country, with the highest rates in regions such as Corsica and Ile-de-France. Similarly, the hourly cost of a childminder varies, with Corsica again being the most expensive. The development of digital platforms has disrupted the traditional childcare market in France.

Platforms such as Yoopies, BabySittor and Kidlee have experienced significant growth, thanks to the wave of digitization and the new consumer habits of young, tech-savvy parents. Regulatory intervention has given this market a boost. Parents benefit from tax breaks and assistance from local authorities, notably the "Complément de libre choix du mode de garde" offered by the CAF, which substantially subsidizes the cost of childcare according to family income and the age of the children. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the temporary closure of childcare facilities and adjustments in childcare practices, the market proved resilient. The government stepped in to provide partial income support to affected professionals during this period, reflecting the importance of the sector to the country's social and economic fabric.In conclusion, the childcare market in France is a highly dynamic sector

Bridging the gap between supply and demand

Looking at the landscape of the French childcare market, several companies stand out for their role in shaping industry trends and meeting parents' needs. The nature of this market is highly competitive and diverse, encompassing a range of services from collective care in public and private crèches to individualized home-based childcare. Here's an overview of the main players in this sector:

group childcare facilities

• Crèches, day nurseries, kindergartens and multi-accueil establishments: These establishments are essential for providing socialization opportunities for children, and are a preferred choice for many parents. Public and private crèches, in particular, play a crucial role in early childhood care.
• Nursery assistants: Offering a more personalized approach, nursery assistants represent a tailor-made childcare solution for many parents who prefer individual attention for their children, but who also wish to provide them with a social environment conducive to their development.
• In-home childcare services: An integral part of home help services, these providers offer the convenience of care within the child's family environment, appealing to parents looking for a familiar, secure setting for their children.

Homecare franchises

Many franchises have found solid growth opportunities in the French market, some specializing in multiservices, including childcare, while others focus exclusively on services for the elderly and dependent. Notable franchises currently shaping the home help sector in France include:

• Adomis, Adenior, O2 Care Services: These companies offer a wide range of services, and their reach is extended thanks to the franchise model. They offer families flexible care options that include childcare services.
• Babychou Services, Kangourou Kids, La Compagnie des Familles, Family Sphere: Specializing in childcare, these franchises have carved out significant niches for themselves, offering services ranging from in-home care for different age groups to daycare options.

Digital platforms in childcare

The rise of digital platforms marks a major shift in the way parents find and obtain childcare services.

• Yoopies, Kidlee, BabySittor, and Bsit have advanced with digital solutions that offer convenience and confidence to parents searching for suitable childcare providers. These platforms typically provide user ratings and reviews, contributing to the trust factor so crucial in this market.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 25/04/2024

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Sales in the childminder and crèche markets in 2023
• Number of births per year in France
• Change in the number of women aged 20 to 40 and the fertility rate in France
• Rate of use of paternity and maternity leave
• Paternity leave uptake by employment status
• Proportion of paternity leave taken
• Children's enrolment rates by age
• Number of children under 3 years old
• Number of children under 6 years of age
• Breakdown of main childcare arrangements for children under 3 on weekdays
• Main types of childcare for children under 3 years of age
• Main disadvantages of the MAM child-minding arrangement
• Main disadvantage of EAJE care
• Breakdown of parents' first choice for childcare
• Percentage of children in formal care
• Consumer price index for out-of-home childcare services, compared with 2015
• Number of companies and number of employees in the childcare sector
• Breakdown of supply among the main types of facility
• Global sales trends in the childcare market