Awakening gardens: all you need to know about this type of childcare

What is a garden of awakening? For which children?

These structures were created in 2009 under the name of gardens of awakening. Renamed since kindergartens, the vocation of these establishments is to diversify the offer of reception offered to parents of children. aged from 2 to 6 years. Just like in a collective crèche and unlike a school, children accommodated in a kindergarten are not not have to be clean. A half-time reception over 9 months (18 months maximum) is considered ideal so that the structure can fully play its educational role. Kindergartens have a working hours comparable to that of other establishments for young children, that is to say comparable to that of a traditional collective crèche (from 7:30 a.m. or 8:18 a.m. to 30:19 p.m. or 200 p.m.). It must operate at least XNUMX days per year.

Activities: the course of a day in a kindergarten

Play sessions, activity workshops, storytelling, naps… The program for the day, in kindergartens, is not very different from that of a nursery. However, mastery of language, the desire to learn and preparation for entry into kindergarten are some of the missions assigned to these structures. Since 2-year-old children have already acquired autonomy, it is important to get them used to a rhythm of activities and games at specific times of the day. There are many kindergartens throughout France (the system was set up in 2009). The list can be found on the website: www.mon-enfant.fr

How much do kindergartens cost?

Kindergartens cost on average 30% cheaper than nurseries. The prices are calculated as at the nursery: the kindergarten manager undertakes to calculate your financial contribution from a scale taking into account your resources and the composition of your family. 

Childcare costs for children under 6 are subject to a tax credit.

Supervision: Who are the staff working in kindergartens?

 

The supervision rate provided for in kindergartens is one adult for 8 to 12 children (compared to one adult for 8 children able to walk in the crèche). Thus, for a nursery garden welcoming 24 children, 2 to 3 early childhood professionals must be present at the same time and only 2 professionals for 12 places. Each awakening garden must recruit a Young Child Educator (EJE), who can also provide leadership. Staff planning must allow teams to be reinforced at mealtimes.

Why a kindergarten: advantages and disadvantages

What makes inlingua different : A lower cost than that of a nursery or a nursery assistant. Compared to a toddler kept with a nanny, some argue that this type of structure fgreed more socialization and is more suitable for this age group (2-3 years). For parents on parental leave, it is also an opportunity to gradually cut the cord, before entering kindergarten, and to take some time for them. While in kindergarten, the supervision of the pupils is of two adults for about 30 children, the supporters of early childhood gardens can therefore put forward a more important supervision in relation to this one.

The –: Opponents of kindergartens believe that they constitute a questioning of early schooling, which decreases from year to year. This was put in place to improve the academic success of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. If the price is certainly more attractive than that of a crèche, some criticize the fact that this happens to the detriment of less supervision and often considered insufficient. Finally, except for parents on parental leave and those looking for a job, welcoming children at such a late age may come as a surprise: at 2 years old, many children already have a childcare arrangement.

How to open a kindergarten?

Do you want to embark on the adventure of creating a play garden? The procedures are the same as for any reception center for young children (such as nurseries). You will have to get closer to the town hall of your town but also to the Maternal and Child Protection, which oversees compliance with standards. The stages of creation will pass in particular by the employment of qualified personnel, the creation of a realistic educational project and the opening of a room respecting the standards of safety and hygiene. At the end, it is the director of the General Council of your department who will issue his authorization for the opening of your awakening garden. Know that opening this type of establishment is not a decision to be taken lightly. This requires a lot of patience and motivation!

Do you want to talk about it between parents? To give your opinion, to bring your testimony? We meet on https://forum.parents.fr. 

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