Updated October 21, 2026
How people usually look for a childminder
Parents in France use a few consistent routes to find a childminder. Word of mouth from neighbours, school parents and colleagues is common. Local resources include the mairie, family information services and parent networks - these can point you to local options or childcare guidance. Online platforms and community groups help widen the search and let you see several profiles and photos quickly.
When you have a short list, common next steps are phone or email contact, a short introductory visit, and an informal trial to observe how the child settles. Many parents meet a candidate at their home or invite them to a public place before arranging any regular care.
- Ask for a short meeting before any booking
- Observe interaction with your child during a trial session
- Use local parent networks and online listings to compare several providers
What to ask before you agree
A clear set of questions helps avoid misunderstandings. Ask about availability and typical hours, how the provider handles sick children and holidays, and whether they accept ad hoc bookings. Discuss daily routines - meals, naps, outdoor time and screen rules - so you know how these match your expectations.
Request practical information you can verify - whether they hold any formal authorisation, whether they have public liability insurance covering childcare, whether they have first-aid training, and whether they can provide recent references from other families. Ask how they prefer to be paid and whether you will have a written contract covering notice periods and fees.
- Availability and regular hours
- Sick-child policy and holiday closure
- Training, first-aid, insurance and references
- Payment method and written contract
Qualifications and registrations specific to France
In France a common category of childminder is an assistante maternelle who cares for children at her own home. Assistantes maternelles usually work under an official authorisation - often called an agrément - issued by local child and family services. If a person claims to be an assistante maternelle, ask to see their authorisation and when it was issued.
Other arrangements include nannies employed directly in a family home and multi-child home carers. Employment and social declarations are usually part of these arrangements. Many families use official payroll services or systems designed for domestic and childcare employment - ask the provider how they are declared and how you will handle payslips or any social contributions.
- Ask to see any authorisation or agrément if the provider says they are an assistante maternelle
- Clarify whether the carer is self-employed, employed by you, or registered through a childcare payroll service
- Check what training or first-aid certificates they hold
Language and practical expectations
French is the working language in most childcare settings across France. If you want care in another language - for example English or a regional language - specify this early in the search and ask whether the provider has experience with bilingual routines.
Also discuss practical day-to-day matters that matter to your family - dietary rules, religious or cultural practices, transport arrangements, and how you will exchange information about your child each day. Clear routines and agreed handover notes reduce confusion.
- State which language you expect the carer to use with your child
- Agree daily handover and communication methods
- Discuss dietary needs and any cultural practices
How quotes and payment are normally handled
Providers commonly quote by the hour, by the day, or on a monthly basis for regular full-time care. Ask for a written fee schedule showing the basic rate and any extra charges - for example holiday cover, late collection or additional children - and confirm how many paid absence days the provider expects.
Payment methods vary. Many families pay by bank transfer or by systems set up for declared domestic work, and some still use cash for occasional care. If a provider expects declaration through a payroll service or a household employment scheme, ask how that affects your paperwork and what documents you will receive.
- Request a written fee schedule and confirmation of extra charges
- Clarify accepted payment methods and any payroll or declaration process
- Agree notice periods for ending or changing arrangements
How to check references and do practical checks
Contact at least one or two recent families and ask about punctuality, reliability, how the carer handles routines, and how they responded to issues. A short visit to the care setting is important - check the space where children sleep and play, hygiene, toy condition and basic safety such as secured doors or stairs.
A trial period of a few hours or days gives you practical feedback on how your child settles and whether the carer follows agreed routines. Trust your observations and the childs response as much as any paperwork.
- Ask former families about reliability and day-to-day interaction
- Inspect sleeping, play and hygiene arrangements
- Use a trial session before committing to regular care
How a Websta profile helps you compare providers
A Websta profile presents a providers services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking in one place, and the marketplace lets you find nearby providers by service and location. That layout makes it easier to compare practical details across several carers - opening hours, services offered and photos of the premises.
Profiles may also indicate how a provider prefers to be contacted and whether they accept online bookings. Some marketplace catalogues in other countries have been populated from public registers and carry notices that a person can claim or remove their page - where a profile notes its source, check the details and ask the provider for any additional documents you need to see in person.
- Compare services, photos and availability across profiles
- Use the contact form or booking option to arrange a visit or trial
- Check whether the profile notes its source and confirm documents directly with the provider
Frequently asked questions
- How can I verify a childminder's official authorisation in France?
- Ask the provider to show their authorisation or agrément document and note the issuing authority. You can also ask which local family or child services advised them - a direct copy of the document and a contact point for the issuer lets you verify it.
- What should be in a childminding contract?
- A written agreement should cover hours, fees, notice periods, sick-child and holiday arrangements, responsibilities for meals and transport, and the agreed method of payment. Include how you will handle unexpected events and a trial period if you plan one.
- Is it normal to ask for references from other families?
- Yes. Request recent references and ask specific questions about punctuality, communication, how the carer handles routines and any incidents. Speaking to families with children of similar age is most useful.
- What payment methods should I expect to use?
- Common methods include bank transfer, declared payroll services for household employment, and some families use cash for occasional care. Confirm the providers preference and whether any formal payroll or declaration service will provide payslips.
- Can I do a trial session before committing?
- Yes. A short trial lets you see how your child settles and how the carer follows routines. Use the trial to test handover arrangements and to confirm practical details before signing any longer agreement.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.