Is Gard better off than its neighbors when it comes to early childhood? Response with Caf du Gard.
In 2023, Caf du Gard provided €10 million in operating grants (projects such as the development of places in crèches aimed at professional integration, for people seeking employment/training) and investment (opening of nursery places). The same year, the Caf du Gard paid €43 million in benefits to crèches, €951,229 to early childhood relays and €412,475 to child-parent reception centers. Figures which reinforce its place as a central player in early childhood. Furthermore, in January 2025, the Early childhood public service will be operational with some new features throughout the national territory (our article here). In Gard, more financial resources will be allocated, with a strengthening of the power of mayors who will become “organizing authorities” in matters of early childhood care.
Gard has an overall coverage rate of 52.5 places for 100 children under 3 years old (all types of care combined: nurseries, childminders, home care and preschool). This rate breaks down as follows: 25.4 places for 100 children under 3 years of age in collective care (crèches), 27.2 places for 100 children under 3 years of age in individual care (childminders). The national rate is 60.3 places per 100 children under 3 years old. Gard is therefore located near 8 points below the national average. The coverage rates in the neighboring departments are as follows: Hérault: 51.3; Bouches du Rhône: 48.5; Vaucluse: 48.8 and Lozère: 62.6.
Between €8,000 and €26,000 per place
The Caf supports the creation of crèches by mobilizing different levers. First of all, through support for investment and in particular support for the creation of new nursery places through the Investment Plan for the Reception of Young Children (Piaje). As such, between 8 000 et 26 000 € are entrusted per place depending on the nature of the project, within the limit of 80% of the total cost of the project. Also, support for the modernization of nurseries by the Establishment Modernization Fund (FME), providing between €4,800 to €6,800 per place depending on the nature of the project, up to 80% of the total cost of the project in a PSU crèche (Single Service Delivery).
Some examples
12 places were opened in September 2024 in micro-crèches (Psu), in Argilliers in the Communauté de Communes du Pays d'Uzès, for funding of €247,000 from the CAF du Gard. 8 places were created as part of the creation of the Saint Gilles Childhood and Leisure Center for funding of €556,000 from CAF as part of the construction of the new crèche which will open in 2025. 20 places were opened end of September 2024 in the Petit Vedelin district in Nîmes by the Bonjours Présence 30 association and the City of Nîmes, with funding of €372,000 from the CAF du Gard.
