Free daycare: the law that facilitates access to non-formal education for all

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In Luxembourg, a series of government measures have been put in place to guarantee partial free nursery services and reduce costs for parents. The objective of these measures is to facilitate access for all children to quality supervision, regardless of the type of early childhood education and care structure they attend. In this article, we will explore the details of these policies and their impact on Luxembourg families.

Measures applied according to a precise and fair calculation scale

Luxembourg recognizes the obvious importance of early education and care for young children in their development. This is why the government set up the Service-Accueil Check (CSA), a system allowing families to benefit from partial free childcare.

The amount of this financial contribution from the State and the amount of the parents' contribution are calculated on a case-by-case basis taking into account several factors, including household income, the number of children benefiting from family allowances, the type of reception structure, the number of hours of reception as well as specific advantages depending on the age of the child.

This scale of parental participation guarantees that each family benefits from a personalized package, adapted to their financial situation and their family situation. This individualized approach allows all families, regardless of their income, to benefit from essential support for welcoming their children into nursery.

The State provides financial support by covering up to 60 hours of care per week for children.

  • The maximum amount of the State contribution is 6 euros per hour for a child attending an education and care structure.
  • The state covers up to five meals per week, subject to specific conditions.
  • Regarding multilingual education, the State offers the possibility of support of up to 20 hours of reception, also under certain conditions.

Plurilingual education

The Luxembourg government does not stop there. It recognizes the importance of multilingual education from an early age, in a country where several languages ​​are spoken, and offers up to 20 hours of care as part of this program for the children concerned. This multilingual education program familiarizes children aged 1 to 4 with the Luxembourgish, French and English languages, with the conviction that the earlier contact with a language occurs, the easier its acquisition. 

Partial free admission for children aged 1 to 4

Another important measure concerns children aged 1 to 4 who attend an education and care structure providing the Service-Accueil Check (CSA). These children are entitled to 20 hours of free childcare spread over 46 weeks per year, regardless of their family's financial situation.

For those attending part-time early education, the number of hours is 10.

To know : Free supervision only applies from the start of the school year until the end of the school year. Free admission therefore does not apply during major holiday periods, nor during holiday weeks scattered throughout the year - Easter, Christmas, All Saints' Day, etc.

What is the impact of these government measures on families?


Equal access to non-formal education for all

The policy of free daycare in Luxembourg has a significant impact on access to non-formal education for children. It ensures that every child, regardless of their family background, has the opportunity to benefit from a high-quality learning environment from an early age.

Daycare plays an essential role in the child's development. It promotes the acquisition of social, emotional and cognitive skills, thus preparing little ones for their entry into school. This early education is considered essential to strengthen future chances of success in school and in life.

Financial relief for families

For many families in Luxembourg, the cost of daycare can be a determining factor in their decision to use these services or not.

The partial free measures and the scales for calculating the CSA provide significant financial relief for parents. By taking family income into account, parents can plan their budget accordingly, knowing that they will benefit from substantial financial support for fostering their children.

Did you know? Hospitality establishments KidsCare are eligible for Service-Accueil Vouchers. So you can benefit from our services at affordable prices!

Procedures and conditions

In order to benefit from the CSA, you must go to the administration of your municipality of residence. Are you a border crosser? In this case, if you do not live in Luxembourg, but work there, to benefit from this aid, you must go to the Caisse pour l'Avenir des Enfants (CAE).

The conditions to benefit from the CSA are the following :

  • All families whose parents, or at least one of the parents, work in Luxembourg - and are an EU national - can benefit from the CSA. 
  • The child concerned must be under 13 years old and still be enrolled in basic education.

Looking for a nursery in Luxembourg for your child? Discover day centers and nurseries KidsCare on our website. 

If you would like to visit one of our structures before making your choice, find out the next dates of our open days.
 

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