Illustration of a crib.

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LOIC VENANCE / AFP

Some 1,200 people, according to the organizers, demonstrated on Tuesday in Paris against a reform of standards for the reception of toddlers in nurseries, professionals fearing a deterioration in the rate of supervision of children.

Forty rallies were also planned throughout France, at the call of the collective "No baby in the locker", to protest against this reform which must be finalized this week, for entry into force at the start of September.

A unique supervision rate

Nursery professionals denounce a change in the rate of supervision of children in reception structures: currently, this rate is one adult for five babies who do not walk, and one for eight children who walk.

With the reform, nursery managers would be able to adopt instead a single rate of one for six, regardless of the age of the toddlers.

"All the research shows that one adult for five babies, or even one for four," is indignant Birgit Hilpert, spokesperson for the collective "No baby at the deposit".

“The government is going against the recommendations of early childhood specialists,” she adds.

"Super promo: more babies, less pros"

The collective also denounces the fact that apprentices will now be able to count as 15% of the supervision rate, which will lead to a "drop in qualification indirectly", according to Ms. Hilpert.

"We cannot sell off our diplomas, whether for childcare auxiliaries or educators of young children," also emphasizes Maryvonne, one of the educators met in the Paris demonstration.

Among the slogans displayed on the demonstrators' placards, one could read: "Super promo: more babies, less pros", or even "babies are not sardines", in reference to the upcoming possibility of welcoming 15% more children every day.

“Babies need space to learn to walk,” says Chloe, mother of 14-month-old.

“It is during their first years in nursery, when they are just starting to be separated from their parents, that they most need qualified staff,” she continues.

"It's going to be babysitting, chain babysitting," sighs Loubna, childcare assistant.

A delegation received

A delegation was received by an adviser to the Secretary of State in charge of Children and Families, Adrien Taquet, but the meeting did not allow significant progress, and the collective will organize a "new mobilization probably in a few weeks. ", According to Birgit Hilpert.

This reform, implemented via an ordinance and decrees, includes other measures, such as the control of the criminal records of all professionals in contact with children, said the cabinet of Mr. Taquet to AFP.

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