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ProceduresHealthBecome a childcare assistant

Become a childcare assistant

JRS FranceProposed by JRS France Updated on il y a un an

Childcare assistants are on the front line when it comes to looking after children, whether in nurseries, maternity wards or hospital wards.

They contribute to the development and well-being of the youngest children. They also help to support parents.

To work as a childcare assistant, you need a State diploma as a childcare assistant. To obtain this diploma, you need to train at a nursery assistant training institute (IFAP).

Refugees with qualifications in the paramedical field that are not recognised can work quickly as nursery assistants while waiting to be able to work in their profession.

If you have experience in this field, you can have your professional experience validated (VAE) to obtain the diploma of nursery assistant thanks to the ‘Expériences sans frontières’ scheme. To do this, you need to have worked for at least one year in the fields of child care, comfort and hygiene.
You can start by working in the medico-social sector at the same time as you do your VAE.

How to do it?

Information and enrolment forms are available from each childcare assistant training institute (IFAP).

There are around 140 IFAPs throughout France. You can find the list here.

You need to download the application form from the IFAP website (or pick it up) and complete it.

You will usually need to enclose:

  • An identity document
  • A handwritten cover letter
  • A CV
  • (if apprenticeship) A copy of the signed apprenticeship contract or any document proving that steps have been taken with a view to the imminent signing of the apprenticeship contract.
  • A hand-written document of no more than two pages, describing a personal or professional situation, OR the applicant's career plan in relation to the course requirements.
  • Translated diplomas

See the Réfugiés.info sheet ‘Request an official translation of a document’.

The deadline for submitting your application depends on each IFAP. There are two entries per year. For a September intake, this date is set between 10 June and 30 June of the same year.​

If you are accepted on the basis of your application, you will then have to attend an oral interview.

You will need to:

  • Introduce yourself
  • Explain why you want to become a childcare assistant
  • Understand the content of the childcare assistant training course
  • Describe the job of nursery assistant
  • Make sure that you have funding to cover the tuition fees
  • Talk about your human and interpersonal qualities: what are your interests, your voluntary activities, your soft skills, etc.
The interview lasts between 15 and 20 minutes. The selection procedures are identical for all training institutes. You will be informed personally in writing of your results. If your application is successful, you have 7 working days to confirm your enrolment at IFAP. Make sure you respect this deadline! Otherwise, your place will be offered to another candidate.

There are several grants available to finance your studies:

  • If you are unemployed, you can ask your France Travail adviser to finance your training. There are even ways of getting paid during your training.
  • The region can finance a monthly grant for paramedical professions. Example for Île-de-France.
The course includes approximately 770 hours of theoretical and clinical teaching over 22 weeks, as well as 770 hours of practical training over 22 weeks in a professional environment.​

What happens next?

Once you've qualified as a childcare assistant, there are several options open to you.

You can work :

  • In a crèche or day nursery: you'll be looking after children under the age of 3, feeding them, changing them, offering them early-learning activities and helping them to develop their independence.
  • In a maternity unit. The main focus is on caring for infants and supporting parents.
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