Childcare in Luxembourg

Finding your feet in a new country of residence can be an overwhelming challenge. If you are a parent of young children the challenge is most certainly double or triple, depending on how many little ones you have. 

Expat families are faced with the often confusing task of becoming settled and familiarising themselves with the new culture. Parents strive to balance their new work and family life in a manner that aids the integration of their young child.

Quality international childcare and can be just the solution. And the good news about Luxembourg is that there are plenty such facilities around. Further good news is that considerable financial aid is available from the government to any parent with a child in a registered day care centre.

Public crèches

Early childhood education at a crèche or nursery school is available to all children up to the age of four and is optional, although highly recommended by the Ministry of Education. A crèche can teach independence and self-confidence to children in preparation for pre- and primary school.

A good place to start looking for a crèche or nursery school that best suits your location, language, and weekly schedule is the State’s Internet Portal (www.guichet.lu) where the Ministry of Family and Integration provide a list, sorted by district, of all registered childcare centres in the Grand Duchy.

Ville de Luxembourg has a list of registered crèches within the City of Luxembourg specifically. Both lists contain crèches that are public (state-subsidised) or privately owned, all of which are equally regulated by the state.

The language spoken in public crèches is Luxemburgish and enrolment requires that both parents live in Luxembourg with at least one parent being employed, or seeking employment. Waiting lists can be several months long, with single parents taking priority.

Private crèches

Many Anglo and international families in search of an English speaking crèche opt for a private centre. Privately-owned crèches must also be state registered and are subject to the same strict regulations as the public, state-subsidised crèches but will accept enrolment of a child regardless of their parent's employment or place of residence.

Many private crèches may provide more flexibility with hours of attendance compared to public crèches, which often require a minimum of three or four half-day’s attendance per week.

Cheque Service Accueil

Although the fees of privately owned crèches are higher compared to those subsidised by the state, parents can still benefit from the financial support provided by the government with the "Cheque-Service Accueil" system. "Cheque-Service" cards are childcare service vouchers that entitle parents to reduced child care fees in any state registered day care centre, public or private.

The amount paid by parents at the crèche depends on household income.

It is free to register for the “Cheque-Service” at the local administration centre. Once registered, a personal card valid for one year is issued to each child. This registration card needs to be presented at enrolment of the chosen crèche to benefit from reduced rates. For enrolment at a public nursery, a valid "Cheque-Service" registration card is compulsory.

Nannies and au pairs

The introduction of the “Cheque-Service” in 2009 has caused spaces in most crèches to be limited due to high demand. It is advisable to apply as soon as possible to avoid lengthy waiting-lists.

As a temporary or permanent alternative to a day care centre, many families take advantage of either full-time (25 or more hours per week) or part-time nannies, parent assistants or babysitters for their primary or additional childcare needs. Family Recruitment S.à.r.l is the first staff recruitment agency in Luxembourg to offer personal assistance to families in search of childcare providers.

Registering your child

Optional early-education ends at age 4, which is the mandatory age for pre-school attendance, if the child is 4 on 1 September of the upcoming school year. It is necessary for children to be registered on the citizens’ register of the Bureau de Population in order to enrol at a school. This registration is done at any district’s administration centre/town hall.

The Luxembourg Ministry of Education provides a helpful service for newly arrived pupils in Luxembourg known as the CASNA (Cellule d’accueil scolaire pour éléves nouveaux arrivants). They assist parents in finding the most suitable school for children who speak a foreign language.

Further useful contacts

-Service Info-Crèches provides comprehensive information related to childcare in the City of Luxembourg. Call 46 08 08 330 to book a meeting.

-The Ministry of National Education (MEN) can provide detailed information on the educational system in Luxembourg and runs a special, multi-lingual service to foreign families. Visit www.men.public.lu or call 24 78 52 07.

It provides registered nannies and live-out carers and maintains a list of trained, Ministry-of-Family-approved babysitters.

-The American Woman’s Club of Luxembourg has contacts of English-speaking babysitters. www.awcluxembourg.com

-The MEN’s department of differentiated education (Service de l’education différenciée) has information on education for children with a handicap at at www.ediff.lu