Child Care

Overview

In Switzerland, children officially start school at six years old, but most will have already spent one or two years in kindergarten beforehand. Nearly every child attends at least one year, and a large majority do two. Beyond kindergarten, parents also have access to a wide variety of childcare options such as crèches, day-care canters, and in-home solutions.

Because education is organized at the cantonal level, requirements differ slightly depending on where you live. Seventeen cantons make kindergarten mandatory, while the other nine leave attendance optional. Regardless, municipalities across the country are obliged to provide at least one year free of charge. To encourage consistency, the federal government has proposed introducing a single nationwide age cut-off date for enrolment.

Kindergarten

Children typically enter kindergarten between the ages of 4 and 4 years 9 months, with the exact entry age depending on cantonal rules. Applications are submitted to the local school board, and most kindergartens operate mornings with some offering limited afternoon sessions or full-day options.

The focus is not on academic performance but on preparing children for primary school—building independence, social skills, creativity, and early cognitive abilities. Instruction is in the local language (German, French, or Italian), and classes can host up to 21 children. Parents are often invited to participate in school activities and community initiatives. Many cantons also allow “joker days,” giving families the flexibility to take children out of school twice a year with advance notice.

Day care

For children under 4, day care centers (Krippe/KiTa in German, crèche in French, nido in Italian) provide structured care to support working parents. Most operate long hours, from 7:00 am to 6:30 pm, and are organized in half-day units with a minimum attendance requirement.

Around 90% of these centers are privately run but typically receive public subsidies. Fees vary: unsubsidized care can cost CHF 60–150 per day in larger cities, while subsidized places may be as low as CHF 10 depending on family income. Many facilities now offer bilingual programs (German–English or French–English).

Enrollment is handled directly with the centers, though waiting lists are common—particularly in urban areas—so early registration, even during pregnancy, is recommended. Some centers also operate family day-care models where children split time between a trained caregiver’s home and the center itself.

Childminders

“Day mothers” provide childcare in a family-home setting, typically charging CHF 5–12 per hour per child, with meals billed separately. They are registered with local organizations, which oversee quality standards and sometimes manage payments. Subsidies are available in some cantons.

Au-pairs

Families can also host an au pair—usually a young adult from abroad who assists with childcare and light household duties while attending language courses. Au pairs must be between 17 and 30 (with some cantonal variation) and work no more than 30 hours per week. They receive free room and board plus a monthly cash allowance (e.g., CHF 700–800 in Zurich), for a total gross wage of CHF 1,700–1,800.

Au pairs are considered employees under Swiss law, meaning families must register them properly, deduct taxes and social contributions, and provide accident insurance. Contracts typically last 12 months, with extensions possible. Because au pairs are considered employees under Swiss law, families must register them formally and handle all legal obligations. This includes paying insurance and deducting the following from the salary: Withholding tax, Social security contributions, Half of the premium for sick pay insurance and Premium for non-occupational accident insurance.

There are several organizations specialized in finding and hiring an au-pair. In most cases they can also assist with the immigration formalities: www.aupairworld.com, www.perfectway.ch and www.aufini.com.

Nannies

For more professional childcare, families may employ a nanny. Salaries range from CHF 3,800 to 5,000 per month depending on experience. Nannies require a formal employment contract, and employers are responsible for insurance and social contributions.

Babysitters

For short-term or evening care, babysitters are a common choice. The Swiss Red Cross offers babysitting training from age 13, with recommended rates of CHF 7–10 per hour for teenagers. Adult babysitters charge more. Families can also find babysitters and nannies through platforms like babysitting24.ch or rockmybaby.ch.