Qui Garde Bébé ?Childcare in France, without the headache
What a nursery, a childminder or a home nanny really costs you, CAF aid and tax credit included, explained in English.
French childcare, explained in plain English
Free, no account, works on your phone.
Cost simulator
Childminder, home nanny or nursery: what you really pay after the CAF aid and the tax credit.
How childcare works
Crèche, childminder, home nanny: the options, where to apply and when.
Hiring a nanny
Contract, Pajemploi, monthly salary, paid leave and ending the contract.
CAF aid & tax credit
How much you get back, and when.
Nanny schedule
Hours, breaks and the monthly salary, calculated for you.
Birth list
The essentials, the budget, and where to open your list.
Why this site?
The French childcare system is generous but complicated: aid paid by the CAF, salaries declared on Pajemploi, a tax credit paid the year after… and almost everything is in French. Qui Garde Bébé ? gathers the rules in one place, with tools that do the full calculation.
The mascot is Chou, a plush bunny wearing a cabbage leaf: in French, “mon petit chou” (my little cabbage) is a loving name for a child.
The French version has more tools and guides: paid leave, end of contract, letter templates, crèche map, pregnancy calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Chou answersTap a questionIs the site free?
Yes, with no account and no subscription. Some links to shops are affiliate links: if you buy, the site earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. They are always labelled.
Are the results exact?
They are estimates based on the official rules in force. The exact CAF aid is calculated every month by the CAF from your Pajemploi declaration.
Which income should I enter?
Your household's net taxable income from two years ago, divided by 12. It is the figure the CAF uses.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. Calculations run in your browser and your lists stay on your device.
What is the difference between a nanny and a childminder?
A childminder (assistante maternelle) looks after up to 4 children at her own home and is approved by the département. A home nanny (garde à domicile) works at your home. In both cases you are the employer.