My colleague Liane Mozere has been researching the competences of nursery workers in French creches. The French system of childcare provides state creches for 20 per cent of children aged under three, under the auspices of the Minister of Health. The creches are organised by doctors and psychologists, and have a qualified nurse in charge, but the day-to-day care of the children is undertaken by auxiliaires de periculture or nursery assistants. (At age three children move on to the ecoles maternelles in the school system).
The auxiliaires have a six-month on-the-job training, focusing mainly on health and safety. It is a job which offers stability of employment and state-guaranteed benefits such as pensions, paid holidays and sick leave. On the other hand, the auxiliaires are the lowest of the low, although they are the only ones who work with children on a daily basis.
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