crèche
/kʁɛʃ/feminine
The French word for nursery is crèche.
The term crèche refers to a place where the pre-school children of working parents are supervised during the day.
Meaning: place where the pre-school children of working parents are supervised during the day (noun)
Which one should you use?
While crèche refers to the facility for infants and toddlers, école maternelle is the term used for nursery school or preschool for slightly older children.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun crèche is feminine, so the definite article is la.
How do you pronounce it?
/kʁɛʃ/
Did you know?
- In a religious context, the word crèche is also the standard term used for a Nativity scene or a manger scene.
- The word crèche shares its origins with the English word 'crib', as both terms originally referred to a feeding trough for animals.
- In France, getting a spot in a crèche can be so difficult that some parents must apply to the mayor's office and prove they live in the district to secure a place.
Examples in context
- Tom travaille dans une crèche.Tom works in a nursery.This sentence shows how to use crèche when describing where someone works.Tatoeba #10137397 by Micsmithel, translation #9199415 by CK
- Sami travaillait dans une crèche.Sami was a nursery worker.This sentence uses crèche to describe a former place of employment.Tatoeba #10137395 by Micsmithel, translation #7165921 by OsoHombre
- Sami et Layla se connaissaient depuis la crèche.Sami and Layla were friends from nursery.This sentence shows how to use crèche when talking about a time when people knew each other.Tatoeba #10137426 by Micsmithel, translation #7306957 by OsoHombre
- Je vais inscrire mon enfant à la crècheI am going to enroll my child in the nursery
- Elle travaille dans une garderieShe works in a nursery
- Le centre d'accueil offre des services de garde pour les tout-petitsThe child care center provides care for toddlers
- Ma petite fille s'amuse bien à la pouponnièreMy little girl is having a great time at the nursery
- J'adore emmener mon fils au jardin d'enfantsI love taking my son to the nursery
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are discussing their child's childcare options.
- NathanEst-ce que tu as trouvé une crèche ?Did you find a nursery?
- ChloéOui, il y a une crèche près du bureau.Yes, there is a nursery near the office.
- NathanC'est super, elle est ouverte tard ?That's great, is it open late?
- ChloéOui, cette crèche ferme à dix-huit heures.Yes, this nursery closes at 6 p.m.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nursery” translations and entries crèche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries crèche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
