Following serious allegations against "People&Baby" crèches in France, the Luxembourg branch assures that its facilities in the Grand Duchy operate independently and are unaffected by the controversy.
In a phone interview with our colleagues from RTL Télé, the communications agency for the "People&Baby" group of crèches stressed that the local branch operates independently from its French counterpart. In France, a new management team has been in place for four months and is currently implementing a "profound transformation," according to an official statement from the French group.
The controversy arose earlier this week with the publication of "Les Ogres," a book by French journalist Victor Castanet. In it, Castanet alleges abuses within the "People&Baby" crèches, claiming they prioritise profit maximisation over child welfare. His investigation reports include accusations of violent treatment, poor quality food, and instances of children being locked in the dark.
The "People&Baby" group also operates crèches and childcare centres in Luxembourg, including the "Barbara" crèches, which were previously owned by MP Barbara Agostino of the Democratic Party (DP) until 2019. Additionally, they run the "Tiramisu" facilities throughout the country.
In response to enquiries from our colleagues, the Ministry of Education, which oversees approvals for crèches in Luxembourg, stated that inspections of "People&Baby" facilities and similar services have recently been conducted, with some inspections still ongoing. The ministry reported no serious violations or incidents of mistreatment found in the Luxembourgish structures.
While the crèches in Luxembourg are not affected by the allegations raised in France, the Ministry of Education is taking the situation seriously. A meeting is scheduled next week with representatives from "People&Baby Luxembourg" to discuss the reports from France and their implications in Luxembourg.
The Luxembourg Federation of Education and Childcare Services (FELSEA) emphasised that regulatory controls in Luxembourg are significantly stricter. Tom Baumert, Director of the Luxembourg Confederation and speaking on behalf of FELSEA, noted that "People&Baby" has never drawn attention because of negative incidents in the Grand Duchy.
