The arrival of a child is a major event for the parents, generating important changes in terms of the pace of life and family organisation, and especially childcare. Half of all children aged between four months and two and half years are looked after at home by a parent who does not work or who takes occasional breaks for personal or financial reasons. Parents can also opt to have their child cared for: paying options include nursery nurses (who are responsible for 17% of young children), crèches (10%) and nannies (1%). As a free alternative to these, 6% of children are looked after by their grandparents. The cost and proximity of the place of care are also deciding factors in the choice of childcare.