Do you know how the Creche Feliz program works? Who is it for and how does it function? Established in 2022, the Creche Feliz program aims to combat child poverty and promote integration and equal access to opportunities by providing free daycare to all children born after September 1, 2021, as noted by DECO PROTeste.
“To address the lack of available spots, the program was expanded in 2024 to include children attending public network establishments managed by local authorities, public higher education institutions, as well as public companies and similar entities. Later, free daycare was also extended to nurseries managed by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa,” explained the consumer protection organization.
DECO PROTeste has prepared a set of questions and answers on the topic to help clarify various doubts. Stay informed:
1 – Who is entitled to free daycare?
“All children born on or after September 1, 2021, who attend nurseries, family nurseries within the social solidarity network, Social Security nannies, as well as profitable private network nurseries that are part of the participating daycare pool or nurseries managed by Santa Casa da Misericórdia are eligible for free daycare. Children born before September 1, 2021, are only covered if they belong to the first or second family income contribution bracket.”
2 – Is it possible to choose the daycare?
“Families can choose the daycare where they wish to place their child, provided there is a vacancy. For instance, access to free daycare in the private sector is only possible if there is no available spot in the social and solidarity network or in Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa in either the parents’ or guardians’ residential or workplace parish.”
3 – How to apply for free daycare access?
- Complete a declaration with the institution’s representative confirming enrollment or attendance, indicating that the daycare accepts to receive free access support on behalf of the child through Social Security services;
- The participating daycare where the child is enrolled must request an identification and validation code to signal the agreement between parents and the participating daycare. This code should be provided to the person with parental responsibilities (for example, via email) to submit the free daycare request. This code must be used within a maximum of 48 hours after receipt;
- After filling out this declaration and having the identification and validation code, you can request support through the Creche Feliz mobile app, available for iOS or Android devices;
- Register on the Creche Feliz app, select the daycare the child attends, and click on “Request free access.” After entering the child’s information and the code provided by the daycare, submit the request. You should then receive an email with all the information about it. The daycare where the child is enrolled will be notified that the code was used for the free access request;
- After the request’s review, Social Security will contact you to inform whether you are entitled to free daycare.”
4 – Where to check the available slots?
“The Creche Feliz app allows you to search for free daycare slots in your area of residence or work, and then select the appropriate nursery room for your child’s age. If you cannot secure a spot in the social and solidarity sector, you will be redirected to the private sector. If no free slot is available, fill out the form to signal your interest, also available in the application.”
5 – How is the support paid?
“The support for each child will be delivered directly to the daycare from the month following the approval of the request.”
6 – What is covered by the State?
“The State ensures a monthly support payment of 473.80 euros to the daycare, with no additional charges as tuition for families. This amount covers activities and services usually provided by daycares (pedagogical and recreational activities, among others), meals, enrollment process, renewal, insurance, extended hours, and weekly extension.”
7 – How long can you have the right to free daycare?
“Once a child accesses a free spot, the continuity of that free attendance is guaranteed at the same establishment for the next three academic years, provided that is the parents’ or guardians’ wish. This rule applies even if the daycare requests to leave the participating daycare network.”
8 – How are free daycare slots distributed?
“Child admission to free slots considers the household’s social and economic assessment. However, other priority criteria are organized as follows:
- Children who attended the daycare the previous year;
- Children with disabilities;
- Children of student mothers and fathers who are minors or beneficiaries of personal assistance under the Independent Living Support or recognized as main informal caregivers, or children in foster care or shelters;
- Children with siblings who are already attending a daycare of the same entity and belong to the same household;
- Children beneficiaries of the social child guarantee and/or family allowance for children and young people (first and second brackets), whose education guardians reside in the establishment’s catchment area;
- Children beneficiaries of the social child guarantee and/or family allowance for children and young people (first and second brackets), whose education guardians work in the establishment’s catchment area;
- Children from single-parent or large families, whose education guardians reside in the establishment’s catchment area;
- Children whose education guardians reside in the establishment’s catchment area;
- Children from single-parent or large families whose education guardians work in the establishment’s catchment area;
- Children whose education guardians work in the establishment’s catchment area.”
