The rules governing the work of childminders will be reviewed

The Luxembourg Ministry of Education has drawn up Bill No. 8686, which is due to come into force on 1 January 2027. The bill will change the working conditions for registered childminders. Currently, the state childcare subsidy scheme (Chèque-Service Accueil) covers €5.40 per hour of a childminder’s work; however, childminders are entitled to charge higher rates, with parents covering the difference.

Under the new rules, rates will be linked to nannies’ qualification levels, which will be divided into three tiers. This could lead to an increase in earnings for some professionals and a reduction in earnings for others. A key new feature will be the indexation of rates and the introduction of a compensation mechanism to stabilise earnings. In addition, the maximum cost of the main meal, paid for by parents, will rise from €4.50 to €7. The reform also provides for 20 hours of free childcare per week for each child, as is already the case in nurseries. This measure forms part of the early language development programme. To work under these conditions, professionals will be required to undertake additional training and demonstrate proficiency in one of Luxembourg’s official languages at a level of at least B2.

At the same time, the reform is sparking debate amongst the professionals themselves, who operate as sole traders. Some point out that nannies’ working conditions are increasingly being brought into line with the requirements for nursery staff, yet they are denied similar social safeguards, such as paid holiday. Others are calling on the relevant ministry to review the holiday pay system in order to reduce the financial burden. Nevertheless, some professionals view the changes positively, emphasising that the increased administrative burden, including detailed reports, helps to analyse and improve the quality of the services provided.

Against the backdrop of impending changes, the profession continues to lose popularity in the labour market. Statistics from the relevant ministry point to a negative trend: last year alone, 29 work permits were revoked, whilst only three were issued. Over the past five years, the authorities have withdrawn 185 licences and approved just 35 new applications. There are currently just over 300 registered childminders in Luxembourg, although the authorities insist on the need to promote this profession as an important part of the informal education system.