Pamela’s deadline for her book is coming up, so she considers daycare. In France, daycare for children under two is provided by free public crèches, which were first implemented during the Industrial Revolution for the working class, and then adopted by the middle class in the mid-20th century as more and more women entered the workforce. Americans, Pamela notes, think of daycare as horrible and unsafe places where uncaring and desperate parents leave their children. While daycare was introduced in America in the 1800s primarily for the children of immigrants, in the 20th century, preschools and kindergartens offered early childhood education to wealthier families. This is largely why Americans view daycare and preschool so differently, despite their being essentially the same thing. Besides cultural attitudes and cost, the quality of crèche care is consistent in France, while daycare varies widely in the United States.

Competition is fierce for a spot in a crèche, but Pamela and Simon manage to get Bean into one by explaining their position as Americans. The crèche serves healthy food and sticks to a schedule. The staff at all crèches are well-educated and trained. After three years there, Bean is fiercely social and has made lasting friendships.