France - Shared childcare in France: advantages and disadvantages

Understanding the principle

In France, shared childcare involves having the children of two families looked after by the same person, at one family’s home, the other’s, or in both homes. The childcare arrangements are set out in the employment contracts.

Each family individually draws up a written employment contract with the person looking after the children. Both contracts must mention shared childcare and include an identical clause specifying the link with the other private employer. Under this direct employment arrangement, each family is an employer.

The advantages: sharing costs and everyday life

Compared with in-home childcare for a single family, splitting salary costs between two households can offer a financial advantage. However, do not assume that your budget will be halved: compare the hours, pay and planned allocation before choosing.

The children from both households are cared for together during shared time slots: they can play and discover life with other children. This arrangement may suit you if you are looking for in-home childcare without your child being alone with their nanny.

The disadvantages: a less individual arrangement

Care can take place in just one home or alternate between the two, depending on the contracts. This flexibility also requires compromises: discuss travel, available space, meals and sleeping arrangements with the other family before deciding on an arrangement.

Unlike childcare for your household alone, you must coordinate your expectations with those of another family. Discuss schedules, holidays, the children’s habits and educational principles. Also plan a solution with the other family in case the nanny is absent, without assuming that a replacement will be available.

An employment framework to prepare together

The contract must in particular specify working hours, the place of work and pay. Before hiring, clarify shared hours and any time slots specific to your household with the other family and the nanny. Sharing childcare does not remove the formalities required of each employer family.

Any change to the contract must be made through a written amendment, which the employee may refuse. A change in hours is therefore not decided solely between parents. The consequences of a refusal differ depending on the contract; in a CDD, this refusal is not grounds for early termination.

Planning for one family leaving

One family leaving can disrupt the arrangement and the budget. Under a CDI, the family that decides to terminate its contract must inform the other in writing. The second contract must then be amended through an amendment accepted by the parties or terminated according to the applicable procedure: it does not end automatically.

Before committing, ask yourself what you would do if the other family left: look for a new family, revise the hours or consider other childcare. Shared childcare is worth comparing with individual childcare in terms of cost, but also in terms of your ability to share day-to-day decisions.