How do you arrange childcare for your young child in Switzerland? This question often arises when it's time to return to work. While childcare options have improved significantly in Switzerland, there is still a shortage of places in nursery schools. However, there are solutions available for children up to age 4, before they start primary school. Here's an overview of pre-school childcare and the transition to compulsory schooling.
Childcare facilities for young children in Switzerland
If you're moving to Switzerland with young children, you'll likely find a daycare service for them before they start school.
According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, over 70% of parents rely on external childcare services in urban cantons and large cities like Basel, Geneva, and Zurich. In more rural areas, families, particularly grandparents, are more likely to provide childcare.
Day nurseries
Communal and private crèches
In Switzerland, you can find municipal, private, and semi-private nursery schools that typically care for children from the end of maternity leave until they start school.
Depending on your needs, you can arrange for your child to be looked after one or more days a week.
For information on local nursery schools, contact your local council as soon as possible. They can also provide details on private or semi-private options.
Corporate nurseries
Some companies provide nurseries for their employees' children. Check with your employer to see if this service is available and what the conditions are.
Good to know:
If there are still openings, some company nurseries may accept children whose parents do not work for the company. Contact your local authority for more details.
The eco-nursery concept
In some cantons, children are cared for in natural settings, often in the forest. This is typically designed for children from about 2.5 years old until they start school.
Kindergartens and daycare centers
Depending on the cantonal policies, these programs typically accept children from around age two up to school age. Unlike nursery schools, they usually provide care for just a few hours a day, often two or three times a week, rather than full days. Your local commune will be your main contact for information on these services.
Family day care
In Switzerland, "day parents" offer childcare during the day. These caregivers, who look after their children, can also care for yours in their homes. Contrary to initial impressions, this form of care is well-regulated. Daycare services are overseen by organizations that ensure both safety and quality.
For example, a day parent can care for a maximum of five children, including their own. The limit is adjusted to 1.5 children per infant under 18 months.
For details on availability, operation, and fees, contact the Fédération pour l'accueil de jour de l'enfant.
Other childcare solutions
You can also hire a nanny or babysitter to care for your baby or child at home. Specialized agencies can connect you with trained and qualified caregivers.
It's important to verify the caregiver's qualifications and experience in looking after young children, either through the agency or directly if you hire the nanny yourself.
Costs and hours of care should be discussed and agreed upon with the agency or the nanny.
The system for allocating childcare places in Switzerland
Unsurprisingly, places are often highly coveted, especially in urban areas.
The exact policy for allocating places depends on the canton, but for subsidized childcare facilities, the criteria are generally as follows:
The family should preferably live in the neighborhood where the childcare facility is located;
The family must work in the town where the childcare facility is located.
Be aware that the Cantonal Office of Population and Migration may verify your address.
The allocation of a spot also depends on factors like having siblings already in the facility, the timing of your application, and the parents' professional, family, and social circumstances.
The costs of childcare in Switzerland
Some childcare facilities receive subsidies from the commune or canton, which might cover part of the educational staff's wages.
Ultimately, what parents pay depends on your canton and income. Each canton has a sliding scale for fees, generally based on your Swiss tax filing.
It's a good idea to reach out to various institutions for information specific to your situation.
For reference, private institutions typically charge between CHF 80 and CHF 120 per day for childcare.
Good to know:
According to a survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Switzerland has the highest childcare costs in Europe. On average, full-time working couples with one child spend over a quarter of their household income on childcare.
Compulsory schooling in Switzerland
Starting age for "Kindergarten"
Typically, children in Switzerland start compulsory schooling around age 4, though this can vary by canton, as each canton manages its own education system.
In some cantons, only the last year of kindergarten (around age 5) is compulsory.
In a federal system like Switzerland's, each canton has its own education rules and regulations. This means that the compulsory school age, educational programs, and other conditions can differ from one region to another.
If you wish to have your child start elementary school earlier or later than usual, you can submit a request to the local education authority.
Typically, the reference date for starting nursery school in Switzerland is July 31, though this can vary by canton. If your child turns 4 before the end of July, they will begin school after the summer vacation. If your child turns 4 after July 31, they will start school the following year.
Swiss pupils in the same class may not always be born in the same calendar year, except in cases of repeating a year or advancing to a higher grade.
Length of compulsory schooling
Primary schooling lasts eight years, followed by three years of secondary schooling, making a total of eleven years of compulsory education by age 15. Note that there might be minor differences depending on the canton.
After completing compulsory schooling, students can choose to either pursue an apprenticeship or continue their education at a gymnasium or similar institution.
How kindergarten works
At age 4, children participate in a program focused on exploration, play, and social and emotional development. They are also introduced to the basics of reading, writing, and math. The program includes artistic activities such as singing, dancing, music, educational games, and crafts.
As previously noted, educational programs and conditions can vary by region, including the start date for school.
School fees in Switzerland
In Switzerland, public schools are free during compulsory education, though there may be some minor costs for operating or educational materials.
Private school fees, however, vary widely depending on factors like location, prestige, facilities, and curriculum. Annual fees can range from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of Swiss Francs. In some prestigious institutions, fees can exceed CHF 30,000 per year, depending on the additional services and level of instruction provided.
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