After a CAP AEPE: Career Options, Jobs and Studies
16 October 2026 · 4 min reading time
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After completing a CAP AEPE (Early Childhood Educational Support Certificate), you can look for your first job working with children or continue your education. Nurseries, in-home childcare and preschools offer different opportunities depending on your career goals. Some positions are accessible with this qualification, while others require a competitive examination, official approval or additional training.
| Your career goal | Next step |
|---|---|
| Work in a nursery or at a family's home | Apply for positions accessible with a CAP AEPE |
| Become an ATSEM (preschool teaching assistant) | Prepare for the external competitive examination, then apply for positions with local authorities |
| Care for children in your home or a childminders' centre (MAM) | Apply for official childminder approval |
| Become a childcare assistant (auxiliaire de puériculture) | Apply to a training institute to obtain the relevant State Diploma |
| Continue studying towards a qualification equivalent to the baccalaureate | Explore admission options for vocational baccalaureate programmes |
| Become an early childhood educator | Check the admission requirements based on your qualifications and experience |
What jobs can you do with a CAP AEPE?
Working in a nursery as an early childhood assistant
The CAP AEPE (Early Childhood Educational Support Certificate) prepares you to support young children in their daily routines. In a nursery, you help with meals, nappy changes, naps and early learning activities. You also communicate with families and help maintain the premises and equipment.
Job advertisements may use different titles, including early childhood assistant, nursery assistant or early childhood educational support worker. The responsibilities are similar, but qualification requirements may vary between establishments.
You work as part of a team in a public, non-profit or private childcare facility. To learn more about the role, read our early childhood assistant job profile.
Providing childcare in the family home
In-home childcare involves working directly for a family, either through direct employment or via a home services company.
Your responsibilities depend on the children's ages and the family's needs. They may include preparing meals, helping with personal hygiene, organising games or collecting children from school. Some contracts cover just a few hours per week, while others offer more substantial working hours.
This role requires independence and adaptability. Before accepting a position, check the working hours, any travel requirements and the parents' expectations.
Working in childcare activities and after-school programmes
You can also look for work in leisure centres or after-school childcare services. Responsibilities mainly involve supervising groups, organising activities and ensuring children's safety.
The CAP AEPE is one of the qualifications that allows you to work as an activity leader in group childcare settings for minors. The BAFA (French Youth Activity Leader Certificate) is therefore not always required if you already hold this qualification. However, employers may prefer candidates with previous experience in activity leadership or skills suited to the children in their care.
How can you become an ATSEM after a CAP AEPE?
An ATSEM (specialised preschool teaching assistant) supports children in a school environment and assists the teacher. Responsibilities include welcoming children, helping with hygiene and preparing activities.
The CAP AEPE allows you to sit the external ATSEM competitive examination, provided you meet the general eligibility requirements for the French civil service. Registration and examinations are organised by local government civil service management centres.
However, passing the examination does not guarantee employment. Once you are placed on the eligibility list, you must apply for positions with recruiting local authorities.
Fixed-term public sector contracts may also be available in certain circumstances, particularly to cover staff absences. However, these contracts do not automatically grant permanent civil servant status.
Can you become a registered childminder with a CAP AEPE?
A registered childminder (assistant maternel) looks after children in their own home or in a shared childminding facility known as a maison d'assistants maternels (MAM). Unlike providing childcare in the parents' home, this activity requires official approval from the departmental authorities.
The CAP AEPE does not replace this approval. The maternal and child protection service (PMI) assesses the childcare environment and the applicant's ability to meet children's needs.
A 120-hour training programme is also required, including 80 hours that must be completed before welcoming the first child. CAP AEPE holders may qualify for partial exemptions. However, certain training modules remain compulsory, particularly those covering first aid and the role of a childminder.
Before starting, you should also consider the space available, childcare hours and how the activity will fit into your family life.
What can you study after a CAP AEPE?
Preparing for the State Diploma in Childcare Assistance
To become an auxiliaire de puériculture (qualified childcare assistant), you must obtain the relevant State Diploma, known as the DEAP. The CAP AEPE alone does not qualify you for this profession.
Admission to a training institute is generally based on an application and interview, with no specific qualification required. Applicants must be at least 17 years old when starting the programme. The full training course lasts approximately one year, although exemptions or reduced training requirements may apply depending on qualifications already obtained.
This programme develops your knowledge of healthcare, hygiene and monitoring children's health. It provides access to positions in nurseries, maternity wards and paediatric departments.
Continuing with an ASSP or SAPAT vocational baccalaureate
If you want to obtain a qualification equivalent to the baccalaureate, two programmes are worth considering:
- The ASSP vocational baccalaureate (Personal Care and Support Services), which prepares students to support people of different ages with daily activities and care needs.
- The SAPAT vocational baccalaureate (Personal Services and Community Activities), which combines personal support with participation in community activity projects.
After completing a CAP AEPE, it may be possible to finish one of these programmes in two years, subject to admission directly into the second year of the vocational baccalaureate programme. The school will assess your application and how well the programme matches your career goals.
These qualifications can broaden your career opportunities beyond early childhood and allow you to pursue further education.
Moving into educational and social support or nursing assistance
The State Diploma in Educational and Social Support (DEAES) and the State Diploma in Nursing Assistance (DEAS) are other options if you want to work with people living with disabilities, dependency or illness.
These professions may involve supporting adults or older people. They therefore represent a different career path from working exclusively with young children.
Both programmes have their own admission requirements, which you should check directly with the training institutions.
Finding out about the IEPE professional qualification
The IEPE (Early Childhood Educational Practitioner) professional qualification is a Level 4 certification, equivalent to the French baccalaureate, created in December 2025.
It prepares professionals to provide educational support to young children in childcare establishments as part of a professional team. The training covers children's fundamental needs, their development and relationships with families.
If you already hold a CAP AEPE, contact training providers to find out about admission requirements, course content and opportunities to have your existing skills recognised.
Can you become an early childhood educator after a CAP AEPE?
To become an early childhood educator (éducateur de jeunes enfants, or EJE), you must obtain the relevant State Diploma through a three-year training programme. These professionals design and implement educational projects that support young children's development and well-being, working alongside families and childcare teams.
A CAP AEPE alone does not automatically qualify you for admission to this programme. Admission is generally open to applicants holding the French baccalaureate or another Level 4 qualification. A procedure for recognising previous studies, professional experience or personal achievements may also allow applicants to meet the entry requirements.
If you already hold the baccalaureate, you can enquire directly about the application process. Otherwise, obtaining a Level 4 qualification or having your experience assessed by a training institution may be a step towards this profession.
What salary can you expect after a CAP AEPE?
Your salary depends on the job you do, your employer, your working hours and your experience. There is therefore no single salary that applies to all CAP AEPE holders.
| Employment situation | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Working in a private nursery | Basic gross salary, collective agreement, length of service and bonuses |
| Working for a local authority | Employment status, salary scale or contract terms, bonuses and working hours |
| Providing childcare in the parents' home | Hourly rate, contracted hours and any travel expenses |
| Working as a registered childminder | Hourly rate per child, contracted hours and allowances paid separately from salary |
When comparing two job offers, consider the number of hours worked. A higher monthly salary does not necessarily mean a better hourly rate.
For registered childminders, maintenance and meal allowances cover certain expenses associated with looking after children. They should not be confused with wages.
Before accepting a position, ask for a breakdown of the pay and compare gross amounts on an equivalent hourly basis.
How can you find your first job after a CAP AEPE?
Highlighting internships and work-study experience
Even if you have not yet had your first job, you already have professional experience to include in your CV. Mention the establishments where you completed your internships, the ages of the children you worked with and the tasks you performed.
Focus on practical examples, such as contributing to daily handovers, preparing early learning activities or following hygiene procedures. During an interview, explain the responsibilities you were given and the skills you developed while working with childcare teams.
Targeting establishments and positions suited to your qualification
Search for different job titles and check the qualifications required in each advertisement. The distinction between an early childhood assistant (auxiliaire petite enfance) and a qualified childcare assistant (auxiliaire de puériculture) is particularly important: the latter requires a specific State Diploma.
You should also adapt your application to the type of establishment. Teamwork is central to working in a nursery, while families hiring in-home childcare providers tend to place greater importance on independence and availability.
Remember to specify the areas where you are willing to work and your availability so you can target positions that suit your circumstances.
Considering temporary work to gain experience
Temporary work can be a way to discover different establishments, cover staff absences and build your experience working with children.
However, the assignments available depend on the needs of childcare facilities and the qualifications required for each position.
With Staffmatch, you can present your CAP AEPE qualification, internships and availability. Your agency can review your profile and offer assignments suited to your skills and the needs of recruiting establishments.
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