Child Care Subsidy (CMG): How Much and Until What Age?

The Childcare Supplement (CMG) helps reduce the cost of childcare for young children and benefits 700,000 families. This aid from the Caf or MSA applies regardless of the type of childcare chosen: childminder, home care, family daycare, micro-nursery, or authorized facility. This assistance is part of the childcare benefit (Paje) and covers part of the expenses. Additionally, parent employers can take advantage of a tax credit to further reduce the bill. Importantly, starting September 1, 2025, the terms will slightly change for single-parent families. Here are the upcoming changes announced by the government:

What are the amounts of the Childcare Supplement?

The calculation of the CMG amount will change starting in September 2025. “It will now adapt to the number of care hours needed by families and will also be calculated based on the parents’ resources“, the government ministry indicates. For instance, for a family with “one child, earning a monthly income of 2000 euros, you would pay 350 euros per month out-of-pocket”, stated Health Minister Catherine Vautrin. “The idea is to consider the family’s income, its composition, the number of children, and the number of hours needed based on your work activities. This will allow, in this example, for the family to have an out-of-pocket cost reduced to 200 euros per month”, she emphasized. Moreover, the aid amount will be paid to single parents “proportionally to the time they have the child.” The amounts effective from April 1, 2025 are as follows:

Monthly amounts for employing a childminder or a nanny at home, if you are a couple, for 1 child:

Monthly amounts for a micro-nursery or a family daycare (until March 31, 2025):

What are the 2025 income caps for the CMG?

Here are the current income caps for 2025 for the childcare supplement. Note that these resource ceilings are increased by 40% if you are raising your children alone.

Until what age can one receive the CMG?

Previously, to receive the childcare supplement, your child needed to be under 6 years old. But starting September 1, 2025, the CMG will be extended “to twelve years for children whose parents are single”, announced Minister Catherine Vautrin. If you use a childminder, a nanny, or a micro-nursery, the care must be for at least 16 hours per month. This rule does not apply if you directly employ someone. Another upcoming change, in cases of shared custody, “each of the two parents can be recognized as a beneficiary” if they meet the conditions to receive the aid.

What are the conditions to qualify for the CMG?

Depending on the type of care, the conditions vary. If you have chosen a nanny or a childminder, the Caf pays the aid to parents who have a salaried activity and who employ a professional approved by them. Her gross salary must not exceed 58.25 euros per day per child cared for.

In cases where you use an association or a company authorized to employ a childminder or a person at home, you can benefit from this childcare supplement if the child is cared for at least 16 hours in the month. If you use a micro-nursery, you can benefit from this childcare supplement if the child is cared for at least 16 hours in the month and if the hourly rate charged does not exceed 10 euros per child cared for.

If you directly employ a childminder or a nanny at home, the Caf then covers part of your employee’s remuneration, which depends on your income, the number of children, and their age. A minimum of 15% of the expense will remain your responsibility. The Pajemploi organization then pays you the CMG remuneration.

What are the procedures to obtain the CMG?

To benefit from the childcare supplement (CMG), submit your request to the Caf as soon as you hire your employee, including during the trial period. The Caf will then send the information to the Pajemploi center, and you only need to report the salary each month. Be aware, if you delay in making the request, you might lose part of the aid.

It’s good to know that the Pajemploi center calculates the contributions covered by the Caf and informs you of the portion that remains your responsibility. For instance, social contributions are 100% for the employment of an authorized childminder and 50% for employing a nanny at home. Finally, the employment certificate, which is equivalent to a pay slip, is sent directly to the employee. If you have already registered your child’s birth with the Caf, you can make the request online by logging into your Caf account.