Inside

Bringing Up Toddlers in Luxembourg

Everything for parents with young children living in Luxembourg: with information on health matters, child benefits and childcare.

Birth

In Luxembourg mothers-to-be are closely monitored and undergo a number of compulsory medical examinations and a dental check. It is common practice for an obstetrician to oversee the birth. Following the birth, mothers stay in the hospital or clinic between two and five days and longer after a caesarean.

Mothers are entitled to eight weeks maternity leave after the birth and an additional four weeks if breastfeeding.

See the AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Having a Baby in Luxembourg

Toddler Health

After the birth, the child and the mother are regularly monitored by the family doctor. Parents are free to choose their family doctor, who will refer the child to a specialist doctor if required.

A medical health booklet (carnet de santé) is provided by the hospital after the birth. This booklet contains the child's medical history and development. All prescribed medications, weight and size measurements are recorded in the carnet de santé. A vaccination card is also provided and should be kept up to date. There are no obligatory vaccinations in Luxembourg, although the following are highly recommended during the baby's first year:

First month: BCG for tuberculosis
From the second month: DTP, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Pneumococcus, Rotavirus and Haemophilus b. Two injections are due in the following two months, followed by a booster injection twelve months after the last injection
From one year of age: measles, mumps and rubella (Rougeole, Oreillons, Rubéole)

Children's hospitals and emergencies

Most hospitals have a children's ward, but there are also hospitals in Luxembourg specifically for babies and children.

See The AngloFILE for Hospitals & Health Centres
See the AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Emergency Telephone Numbers in Luxembourg

Child Benefits

Following the birth a number of allowances are available:

Family allowance (allocation familiale): Monthly payment based on the number of children in the family and the age of each child. Family allowance may also be affected by disability.
Education allowance (allocation d'éducation): Monthly allowance paid from the end of the maternity leave, if the parent decides to stop work completely to raise their child(ren)

Family allowance

A family allowance (allocation familiale) is paid at the end of each month to parents of children resident in Luxembourg. To claim family allowance, a form must be filled in and sent to the Caisse Nationale des Prestations Familiales (CNPF).

CNPF
Postal Address: 1A Bd Prince Henri, Boîte postale 394 L-2013 Luxembourg
Tel: 47 71 53-1
Fax: 47 71 53-328
CNPF Service Centre
At: 34 avenue de la Porte Neuve, L-2227 Luxembourg
Tel: 47 71 53-1
Fax: 47 71 53 - 328
Website (in French)
To download the family allowance application form: Click here (PDF in French)

Parents who have recently arrived in Luxembourg should send the family allowance application form along with a birth certificate, proof that they are not receiving family allowance benefits in another country and a certificat de composition de ménage, which can be obtained from the Municipal office in the commune of the area of residence. Non EU citizens will also need to provide their residence permit.

Cross border workers should send the family allowance application form along with a birth certificate, proof that they are not receiving family allowance benefits in another country, a Relevé d'Identité Bancaire (which establishes the bank and account identity) and Form 401, filled in by the appropriate authority in their place of residence.

For further information on family allowances in Luxembourg: Click here (in French)

Benefits are paid until the child is 18. However, this can be extended to 27 if the child remains in full-time education.

Education allowance

The education allowance (allocation d'éducation) is paid for two to eight years depending on the number of children in the family. It is paid monthly from the end of the maternity leave if the parent decides to stop work completely to raise their child(ren). To claim for the benefit, an application form should be sent to the CNPF.

To download the application form: Click here (PDF in French)
For further information on the education allowance: Click here (in French)

Parental leave

Each parent can take up to six months parental leave (congé parental). One of the parents must take the leave immediately after the end of maternity leave. The other parent can take at any time up to the child's fifth birthday, but not at the same time as the other parent. Parental leave is not paid by the employer. The six months parental leave entitles the parent to a monthly allowance (reviewed annually, but corresponding approximately to the minimum legal salary). The employer must be informed in writing and is required to re-employ the worker in an equivalent position at the end of the parental leave.

For further information on parental leave in Luxembourg: Click here (in French)

Childcare Options

There are a number of different childcare options available to parents of toddlers in Luxembourg.

Babysitting

Babysitters are generally employed on an ad-hoc basis, for an evening or a day at the parents' residence. The babysitter must have civil liability insurance and the babysitter's parents must be informed if the person is a minor. Only baby-sitters aged 15 or more can ask for payment. There are different ways of finding a baby-sitter:

word of mouth
contact the Association Familiale et Populaire
- At: 39 boulevard Grand-Duchesse Charlotte, L-1331 Luxembourg
  Tel: 46 00 04-1
  e-mail
  Website (in French and German)
  Open: Monday to Friday from 09:00-17:00
contact the Commune which can generally provide a list of available babysitters (in French or German)

Nanny (Employé pour la garde d'enfant)

Nannies or au pairs can be employed in Luxembourg with a valid employment contract, which must include working hours and nature of duties. The employee must be declared to the Centre Commun de la Securité Sociale (CCSS) using a simple registration form.

Contributions towards benefits are calculated by the CCSS and paid by the employer each month. The employee is covered by the health insurance system in case of illness, maternity or accidents and contributes towards retirement benefits.

Child care and day centres

There are different types of childcare centres available to parents. The cost of childcare is based mostly on family income and the number of children in the household.

Foyers de Jours are centres open to children in pre-school education. They operate outside school hours but whilst parents are still at work
Crèches are open to children under the age of four
Garderies provide day care for children under the age of eight for less than 16 hours a week
Assistance parentale is a system where "host parents" take care of children on a continuous basis including nights for a period that must not exceed three weeks. Parental assistants must be registered with the local authorities
Maisons Relais provide before and after-school care as well as lunch programmes and help with homework. The service is organised by the Communes and operates between 07:00-19:00 for children under 18. Not all communes offer this facility, but Luxembourg plans to make these facilities available throughout the country

In most cases registration for any type of childcare takes place at the centre itself. Local Municipal offices can give information on day care centres in the Commune of residence.

For further information and contact details for the different kinds of child care facilities available: Click here (in French)
For a list of day care centres in Luxembourg: Click here (in French)

Chèque-service

Chèque-service are childcare service vouchers entitling parents to reduced cost childcare out of school hours. The amount paid depends on household income. All parents are entitled to a minimum of three hours per week of free child care in a childcare structure (crèche, garderie, foyer de jour for example) and 21 hours per week at a reduced rate. Additional hours up to a maximum of 60 are set at a fixed price. If the parents require more than 60 hours per week, parents pay the full price.

To be eligible, children must live in the Grand-Duchy, be aged under 12 and be enrolled in primary school education. Parents are free to choose the most appropriate form of childcare.

The chèque-service can be obtained from the local Municipal office in the Commune of residence. Parents must apply for a carte d'adhésion (membership card), available free of charge provided a contract is signed.

To subscribe to the service the following information and documents are required:

First and last names of the parents and children
National identification number of each child (numéro de matricule national)
Address of the child and an invoice address (if different)
Position of the child in the family (for example 1st child, 2nd child etc)
Certificate from the CNPF stating that the child is entitled to child benefits
Spoken language that the parents choose for the childcare
Information on household income (pay slips, tax declaration and any other proof of monthly income)

The carte d'adhésion is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Parents are informed by mail before the renewal date.

For further information on the chèque-service system: Click here (in French)

Pre-primary Education

Early childhood education (nursery school)

Early childhood education (éducation précoce) is available to all children up to the age of four and is optional. Children must be aged three on 1 September to enrol at a nursery school and be registered on the citizens' register of the Bureau de Population. Education is usually provided in Luxembourgish.

In general, parents receive a letter from the commune of their place of residence to enrol their child. This must be sent back to the relevant commune before 1 April. Newcomers to Luxembourg should contact their local Municipal office of their area of residence for information on the enrolment procedures.

Pre-school education (éducation préscolaire)

Pre-schools are free of charge and compulsory for all children aged four on 1 September of the upcoming school year. Lessons are in Luxembourgish language. School hours are usually Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 11:45 and Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 14:00 to 16:00. Some communes provide meals at lunchtime.

Enrolment takes place at the education department (Service de l'Enseignement) of the commune of residence at least three months before the start of the school year. Children must be registered on the citizens' register of the Bureau de Population in order to enrol at a school.

Out and About With Toddlers

Luxembourg has a number of child-friendly parks and playgrounds. The Luxembourg City Tourist Office can advise on playgrounds and activities for children in and around Luxembourg.

Luxembourg City Tourist Office
At: 30 place Guillaume II, L-2011Luxembourg
Tel: 22 28 09
Website

Some shopping centres and shops offer babysitting services or play areas for small children and toddlers.

During school holidays and the summer months there are many temporary amusement parks and playgrounds. Outdoor swimming pools often have separate pools for toddlers.

Children's Road Safety

Children under the age of three must be seated in an appropriate car seat complying with the following:

European norm ECE-R44 sign
Maximum weight
European sign E (followed by one number)
Homologation number (starting with 03)

Children under the age of 12 and measuring less that 150 cm:

can sit in the front seat of the car with an appropriate car seat
can sit in the back with an appropriate car seat if available, otherwise use the safety belt

Children older than 12, or under 12 but measuring more than 150cm are considered as adults.

Meeting Other Parents

There are a number of English-speaking associations in Luxembourg that organise weekly play groups, meet-ups and Mums and Toddler groups.

See The AngloFILE for Clubs & Associations

Useful Associations

Caritas is a family support organisation operating throughout the country and abroad. In Luxembourg, Caritas provides services such as help in the event of child illnesses, holiday activities, day care centres and integration services.

Caritas
At: 29 rue M. Welter, L-2730 Luxembourg
Tel: 40 49 49
Website (in French)

The Service Krank Kanner Doheem provides assistance at home for working parents of children who are ill, either on a short or long term basis. Hourly rates vary depending on household monthly income.