Free choice of childcare supplement: ceiling, amount and CMG request

The free choice of childcare supplement (CMG) is part of the Paje (young child care benefit). It is paid, by the Caf and the MSA, under conditions, to parents who directly hire a childminder or call upon an authorized organization for the care of their child under six years old. Its amount varies depending on the type of care, the number of children, the family situation and the parents’ resources.

Capital Video: What is the free choice of childcare supplement?

• 
  

  To safeguard
  

  
  
  

  Saved
  

What is the free choice of childcare supplement?

The free choice of childcare supplement (CMG) is financial assistance integrated into the young childcare benefit (Paje) intended to compensate for the costs of caring for a child under six years old. The CMG is financial support for the cost of remuneration paid to a childminder, a home daycare provider, an association, an authorized company or even a micro-crèche for the care of one or more children under the age of six. . When the child turns six, payment of the CMG automatically stops.

The request for the free choice of childcare supplement is made to the CAF on which the parents depend.

Who is entitled to the free choice of childcare supplement (CMG)?

To benefit from the free choice of childcare supplement, the following conditions must be met.

Employ a childminder

CMG beneficiaries must contact an association (micro-crèche or family crèche whose hourly rate does not exceed 10 euros) or a company authorized by the department’s services and employing approved childminders or directly employ a childminder. In the latter case, the salary of the approved childminder must not exceed 59.40 euros per day and per child looked after.

Have a child under 6 years old

The child must be under six years old and must be looked after for at least 16 hours per month.

Work, be a job seeker or receive certain benefits

Last condition, the parent(s) must have worked at least one hour during the month of the CMG application. Parents who are unemployed with compensation, when they follow paid professional training or when they receive daily sickness, maternity, adoption, paternity or work accident benefits, are also eligible. Also affected are students, people under civic contract, benefiting from the RSA, the allowance for disabled adults or the specific solidarity allowance.

What are the resource ceilings for the free choice of childcare supplement in 2025?

In 2025, the CMG ceilings are calculated based on 2023 resources. They are in force until December 31. The CMG corresponds to 85% of the remuneration paid within the following limits.

To note : the ceilings are increased by 40% for a single parent.

What is the amount of the CMG in 2025?

The amount of the free choice of childcare supplement depends on the parents’ resources, but also on the childcare method chosen. If you hire a childminder, a home daycare provider or use a family crèche, a micro-crèche or a structure employing a person at home, the amount paid will not be the same.

In the event of direct hiring of a childminder or home daycare

In the context of direct employment of a childminder, the supplement covers 85% of the remuneration. Here is the amount of the CMG, from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, depending on the age of the child and the income bracket:

The Caf also covers social security contributions:

• 100% for the employment of an approved childminder,
• at 50% for the employment of home care within the monthly limit of 520 euros for children under 3 years old and 261 euros for children aged 3 to 6 years old.

A minimum of 15% of the expense will remain the responsibility of the parent.

If you use a family crèche or a structure employing a childminder

Here is the amount of the free choice of childcare supplement, from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, depending on the child’s age and income bracket:

If you use a micro-crèche or a structure employing a person at home

Here is the amount of the CMG, from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025:

>> Our service – Save money by testing our Health Insurance comparator

What increase and reduction in the amount of the CMG?

Increase in the free choice of childcare supplement

The CMG is increased by:

• 10% additional if the child is looked after for 25 hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., on Sundays or public holidays
• 30% additional if the parent and/or their spouse is a beneficiary of Aah (allowance for disabled adults)
• 30% additional if the parent benefits from AEEH (education allowance for disabled children)
• 30% additional if the parent lives with one or more children

Reduction of the free choice of childcare supplement

The CMG amounts are divided by two, if the parent benefits from the PreParE (shared child education benefit) paid for part-time work of 50% or less.

When to apply for a CMG from Caf?

The parent must make their CMG request as soon as the employee is hired or from the first month of using a childcare structure. If he is already a beneficiary, he can do so from his personal space on Caf.fr. If they are not, they must create an online account and then submit their request.

What is the duration of payment of the free choice of childcare supplement?

The CMG is paid each month by the Caf and the MSA, as long as the child is entrusted to a childminder, home care or crèche. And this, until the month before he turned six. To receive the CMG, it is necessary to declare the employee employed each month on the pajemploi.ursaff.fr website.

To note : using a childminder, home care, a crèche or a micro-crèche can allow you to benefit from a tax credit.

Is it possible to combine the CMG with other family benefits?

The different components of the PAJE can all be combined with each other. However, you cannot be entitled to more than one basic allowance at a time (except in the case of multiple births). In the event of part-time work, the parent can combine the CMG with the PrePare. If the working time is less than or equal to 50% of the usual working time, the amount of the CMG is halved. However, it is not possible to combine the CMG with the family supplement.