Who are the children enrolled in French daycare centres?

Abstract

Children born early in the year are more likely to get a place in collective daycare than those born in the autumn. Places are allocated equally, however to boys and girls, and to children of biological or adoptive parents. Third children more frequently get a place in collective daycare than first or second children, the aim being to help mothers with large families who wish to stay in work. Likewise, twins and triplets are more likely to have a place than singletons. Children of unemployed mothers are over-represented, while children from lone-parent families do not appear to take priority, despite a policy to favour their enrolment.