crèche
/kʁɛʃ/
Daycare in French is crèche.
The term crèche is the standard way to refer to the daycare service itself and is most commonly used when discussing the care of infants and very young children, typically those under 3 years old.
Meaning: daytime supervision (noun)
Which one should you use?
While crèche refers specifically to the institution or the daycare center, you might use garderie to refer to general daycare services or after-school care for slightly older children.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, garderie is the standard and most common term used for daycare services.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word crèche is a feminine noun, whereas the phrase jardin d'enfants is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/kʁɛʃ/
Did you know?
- In a religious context, la crèche refers to the Nativity scene or the manger in a Nativity play. This connection to the birth of Jesus is why the word is so deeply embedded in the language.
- The word crèche actually shares its origins with the word for a feeding trough or a manger. It stems from a root meaning a 'basket' or 'net' used to hold food for animals.
- While crèche is the standard in France, using it in Quebec might be misunderstood as referring specifically to a religious nativity scene.
Examples in context
- Mon enfant va à la crècheMy child goes to daycare.
- Je dois déposer mon enfant à la garderieI have to drop off my child at daycare.
- Ma fille passe la journée chez la nounouMy daughter spends the day at daycare.
- Mon petit-fils est à la garderieMy grandson is at daycare.
- J'ai inscrit mon enfant à la halte-garderieI have enrolled my child in daycare.
- Il cherche une crèche pour son fils.He is looking for a daycare for his son.
- La crèche est ouverte dès huit heures.The daycare opens at eight o'clock.
- Elle travaille dans une petite crèche.She works in a small daycare.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing childcare options over coffee.
- NathanEst-ce que tu as trouvé une crèche ?Did you find a daycare?
- ChloéOui, j'ai inscrit le bébé à la crèche.Yes, I enrolled the baby in the daycare.
- NathanC'est une bonne nouvelle pour toi.That is good news for you.
- ChloéMerci, je suis très soulagée.Thank you, I am very relieved.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry crèche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries crèche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
