A private agricultural equipment company in Eure-et-Loir, France, has opened a workplace micro-crèche, a move lauded as a proactive response to childcare shortages and a commitment to employee well-being. The facility, located in Brou near Illiers-Combray, began operating on January 5, 2026, and currently operates near full capacity.
Denis, the company behind the initiative, employs 200 people. According to the firm’s communications manager, the idea for the micro-crèche emerged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Company owner, Stéphane Lizambard, sought to improve work-life balance for his employees, recognizing the difficulties many face in securing adequate childcare. “It’s hard to find suitable care, it can take months…” the communications manager stated. “Here, the municipal crèche is saturated and childminders are retiring without being replaced.”
The company constructed a 180-square-meter building on land it acquired adjacent to its existing facilities. The project was undertaken in partnership with Jessica Lecomte, founder of the “Les Petits Blés” micro-crèche franchise, which already operates locations in Chartres, Bonneval, and Courville.
The “Les Petits Blés” micro-crèche in Brou can accommodate twelve children daily. While primarily intended for the children of Denis employees, who receive preferential rates, the facility is open to the wider community. Lecomte confirmed that a significant number of places are currently filled by children of employees from the local Intermarché supermarket, as well as other residents of Brou.
The project aligns with Denis’s corporate social responsibility (RSR) objectives. Lizambard anticipates several benefits, including increased attractiveness to potential employees and improved retention of existing staff. Lecomte echoed this sentiment, stating, “Few employers are concerned about childcare issues, so when this happens, there is a real recognition from employees who will certainly stay longer in their positions.”
Beyond employee benefits, the micro-crèche offers potential tax advantages to Denis, including eligibility for the French Family Credit (Crédit d’Impôt Famille – CIF) and a potential reduction in corporate tax of up to 50% of expenses incurred.
The Centre-Val de Loire region includes several stations served by SNCF TER, including those in Eure-et-Loir, such as Amilly-Ouerray, Arrou, and Chartres, according to SNCF data. The region is also served by SNCF Connect for broader travel across France, and Europe.
