In some crèches, the deterioration in the quality of reception leads to shortcomings in emotional security and in the awakening of children, as much as a burnout of professionals. Pointing to very heterogeneous practices, this report by theIn each offers prospects for improving the quality of care in nurseries and limiting the risk of mistreatment.
Following the death of a young child in a collective crèche in June 2022, the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs (Igas) was seized by the Minister for Solidarity in order to assess more broadly the quality of care and prevention of abuse in all establishments for young children (excluding family crèches and kindergartens).
In order to analyze the factors that may contribute to the quality of reception or constitute risks of excesses and individual and institutional mistreatment in these establishments, which accommodate particularly dependent and vulnerable people, the inspection mission relied on the literature, interviewed more than 300 people (professionals, federations, authorities, researchers, etc.), visited 36 crèches set up in eight metropolitan departments and analyzed the responses to questionnaires sent to the parents of the children cared for, to the directors and professionals of the establishments.
At the end of its investigations, the mission makes recommendations relating to the following areas:
– knowledge of child development and the contribution of science;
– the guarantee of an effective and reassuring presence with the children;
– improvement of buildings and interior and exterior fittings;
– human resources and professional training;
– funding and quality of reception;
– the alert, complaint and reporting circuit;
– assessment and control inspection;
– governance of the early childhood sector.
• Quality of reception and prevention of mistreatment in crèches, volume 1: report, volume 2: appendices and attachments, March 2023, Igas. In pdf on the Igas website.