Summary

Child care often takes up a large part of the family budget. To help families in this situation and to give parents a real choice in the type of child care they want, the council has increased child care benefits for those using a qualified child minder for children under three years of age. The benefit of 100 to 200 euros a month varies according to income.

Created in 2006, ACMA – Aid in Choosing Child Care – reduces the differences in fees between a professional child minder who is generally more expensive and a municipal nursery. With this benefit issued by the council, parents of young children can choose the kind of child care most suited to their situation without price being a criterion.
Without this financial pressure, they can determine what matters most to them: group child care for the socialisation of a child or a child minder for a home-based atmosphere with more flexibility on hours.
The debate continues at the Infant Section of the Family Centre which is also there to advise parents and determine which system best suits their needs and those of their child.

Benefits rise from 900 to 2,400 euros a year

In January 2009 ACMA is to play an active part in reducing the present wide range of fees. They are able to do this following a large increase in benefits where the annual maximum amount has risen from 900 to 2,400 euros per child (1) This is wonderful news, particularly for families in difficulty who can receive aid of up to 200 euros per month. Globally, the amount of benefit will be calculated according to basic resources provided by CAF (see table).
For example, an “average” family that earns between 19,225 and 42,722 euros a year who need child care for their infant would normally pay approximately 420 euros after deduction of CAF benefits.
In this case there is a deduction of 150 euros from ACMA according to the new fees. These families will then be required to pay the lesser amount of 363 euros. Applying the same calculations to a nursery, the family would pay just 372 euros a month.

Group child care centres continuing to be developed

As Mayor Jean Leonetti explained: “It is freedom of choice for parents regardless of their income. This is a new conception of child care. I must mention that this new system does not affect the continuing development of new child care centres, be they municipal, mixed or centres in a company. Negotiations are in progress with private companies and at Antibes Hospital.
Antibes Juan-les-Pins is the leading town for places in child care centres. With an equipment grant of 24% it is the first in the Department where the average grant is 19%, and it is well above the national average which is 14%. These measures are also expected to stimulate growth and create local employment in developing a network of professional child carers. It is also hoped that the profession itself will benefit from a new image of professionalism and being part of a child care service network.
(1) The revision in benefits was the subject of a municipal vote.

Practical information

T he Family Service Council Centre is staffed by child minders employed by the council. Children from 3 months to 3 years are looked after and there are activities and group outings organised by the centre.

Private child minders look after children from 3 months to 6 years in their homes in accord with their parents. There are activities at the Council Child Minding Group and at child minding associations.
Vieux chemin de Saint Jean. 04 97 21 95 46

Where to find an ACMA form?
At the Family Centre, Child Care Centre at 18/20 bd Foch. 04 92 90 53 60

Numbers…

520
places in child minding centres. In fact, 535 children are cared for using a rotation system.

232
child minders in Antibes.

651
places with child minders.

171
available places with qualified child minders.

480
places filled at qualified child minders.

184
families have already received ACMA benefits.

1,171 euros
is the average monthly cost of a place in a nursery. 620 euros is supplied by CAF, 242 euros to the family and 309 euros to the council.

€2,400 maximum
per year and per infant for full time care (40 to 48 hours) for families with an income of or less than:

for one child
€19,225

for 2 children
€22,135

for 3 children
€25,626

for 4 children
€29,118

1st part of resources complement the CAF free choice of care

€1,800 maximum
per year and per infant for full time care (40 to 48 hours) for families with an income of or less than:

for one child
€19,225 and €42,722

for 2 children
€22,135 and €49,188

for 3 children
€25,626 and €56,947

for 4 children
€29,118 and €64,706

2nd part of resources complement the CAF free choice of care

€1,200 maximum
per year and per infant for full time care (40 to 48 hours) for families with an income of or less than:

for one child
 €42,722 and €64,083

for 2 children
 €49,188 and €73,782

for 3 children
 €56,947 and €85,420

for 4 children
€64,706 and €97,059

3rd part of resources complement the CAF free choice of care