Parental crèches

In France, in the 1970's, several changes had emerged. Contraception allow parents to choose to have a child and want the best for her/him, both parents work, the installation in cities divide families, child psychiatry has evolved and insist on the global - physical and emotional - development of the small child, the feminist movement raises awareness on the role of the father, etc. But the "petite enfance " (early childhood) and proximity services . are not yet translated into public policies. Parental crèches were created with parents aware of all these issues. They implemented several criterias:

• small-scale centers in the area;
• stressing less on hygiene and more on cultural awakeness;
• a major role for fathers;
• a space to think collectively on what it is to be a parent;
• a solidarity network with other parents.

They have largely participated to a new vision of the needs and potentialities of small children, the parents'role, the importance of these centers also for deprived neighbourhood, the solidarity and reciprocity involved in citizen social innovations.

Equivalent concepts

Crèches parentales, lieux petite enfance à participation parentale.

History of the concept

Viewed first with suspicion, they became part of public policies with the Socialist goverment in the 80's. In 1986, they merge with the needs of more deprived neighbourhoods and multiply throughout France, seeking cooperation with regional institutions, associations, etc. In June 1997, they are part, with the Régies de quartier et de territoire and others, of the call for a Solidarity Economy in the Le Monde newspaper.