Kindergarten and daycare costs in Switzerland: The ultimate 2026 guide for parents

Choosing the right childcare option is a milestone for every family. It combines the desire for optimal funding with practical considerations for reconciling family and career. Costs are a central aspect of this decision: At an average of 110 to 130 francs per day, care costs in Switzerland are among the highest in Europe. Depending on the canton and income, this means a monthly investment of between 2,000 and over 3,000 francs for full-time care.¹

As parents, you are faced with the challenge of balancing this financial reality with your quality and support requirements. But it's not just about numbers — it's about your child's decisive early years.

This comprehensive guide provides you with reliable guidance: We will guide you through the complex cost structure of Swiss childcare, explain the available subsidy and funding options, and show you the quality features of first-class care. This gives you the tools to make an informed decision that meets both your financial capabilities and your child's needs.

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The costs of childcare in Switzerland: A national overview

Switzerland is known for its high quality of life, but also for its high cost of living. This is clearly reflected in the area of supplementary family childcare. On a national average, a full-time daycare place costs around 130 CHF per day.¹ For a family, this can quickly result in a monthly charge of over 2,500 CHF.

A look at comparative international data from the OECD shows Switzerland's particular situation: In no other European country is the proportion of total childcare costs borne by parents so high. While, on average, the public sector covers around 80% of the costs, parents in Switzerland bear around 70% themselves.³ This structural peculiarity is due to the fact that Switzerland invests significantly less in early childhood education than other countries — only around 0.2% of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to the OECD average of 0.8%.³

But what are the exact drivers of these high costs?

• Personnel costs as the main factor: By far the biggest item in the calculation of a daycare center is the wages of the care staff. They account for between 70% and 85% of the total costs.³ High quality care depends on qualified, experienced and motivated personnel.
  
  
• The quality-cost paradox: The high prices that parents pay do not necessarily mean that the system is overfinanced. On the contrary: The official standard costs that many municipalities assume are often based on the assumption that work is also carried out with less qualified personnel such as pre-trainees.³ Care that depends exclusively on fairly paid specialists with tertiary education — a decisive quality feature — would significantly increase costs once again. The high financial burden on parents therefore primarily fills a gap created by low government funding. This makes it all the more important for you as parents to look closely at how an institution invests the funds entrusted to it in the quality of care.

A closer look: cost differences between cantons and municipalities

Childcare costs are by no means uniform in Switzerland. They vary considerably depending on where you live, although there is a significant gap between urban centers and rural regions as well as between the individual cantons.⁴

In big cities such as Zurich and Geneva, parents must expect the highest rates, which are often between 2,500 and 3,000 CHF per month for full-time care. Cantons such as Bern and Vaud are in the middle, while costs tend to be lower in more rural areas such as the Canton of St. Gallen.² These differences are due to various factors, including local wage levels, real estate prices, and the level of cantonal and municipal subsidies.

The vast majority of municipalities apply a system of income-based tariffs. This means that the amount of your contribution depends on the taxable income and assets of your household. Families with lower incomes pay a significantly reduced rate, while high-income households pay the full or only slightly subsidized tariff.

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Cantonal costs for full-time care (average monthly costs)

The following table provides an overview of the average monthly costs for a full-time daycare place in selected cantons before any subsidies are deducted.

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Data is based on estimates and may vary by provider and municipality.²

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Example calculation: Monthly daycare costs according to income (Municipality of Freiburg)

To illustrate the principle of income dependency, this table shows how the costs of a full-time position (five days a week) in the municipality of Freiburg can change depending on household income.

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These figures serve as an example and are based on the pricing models of Crèche Perolino in Freiburg.⁴

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Financial Relief for Families: Your Guide through the Subsidy Jungle

Given the high costs, it is essential for most families to take advantage of available financial support services. However, the Swiss system is federalistic, which results in a variety of different models. Applying for this help is often a complex, bureaucratic process that places an additional, “hidden” burden on parents in the form of time and effort. This section serves as your practical guide to make this process easier. In Principle, a Distinction can be made between two main systems: the direct subsidization of institutions (property financing) and the issuance of vouchers to parents (subject financing).⁵

The Subsidy Model Using the Example of the City of Zurich

The City of Zurich uses a property financing system in which the city works directly with daycare centers to reduce parental contributions. To benefit from this support, you need two central confirmations.⁶

1. The contribution factor (BF): This factor is calculated on the basis of your taxable income and assets and determines how much your care costs are subsidized. A low contribution factor means a high subsidy. You can determine your expected factor using an online calculator from the City of Zurich and then submit the application online to the Department of Education and Sports.⁷
   
   
2. The amount of care eligible for subsidies (SBU): This confirmation determines how many days of care per week you are entitled to subsidies. The claim is justified by various reasons, such as the parents' professional activity, education or further education, the search for a job or even the child's social and language integration needs. Depending on the reason, the application for the SBU is submitted to various bodies, usually via the Department of Social Affairs.⁶

As soon as both confirmations are received, the daycare center settles directly with the city and only charges you the reduced, subsidized parental contribution.

The system of childcare vouchers using the example of the Canton of Bern

The Canton of Bern and many of its municipalities have opted for a system of subject financing: childcare vouchers. This model gives you as parents more freedom of choice, as you can redeem the voucher at any approved daycare center or daycare organization in the Canton.⁹

The most important requirements for receiving a care certificate are:

• Demonstrated need: They must prove that care is necessary to reconcile family and career. As a rule, a minimum workload of both parents (usually 120% for couples) or the single parent (usually 20%) is required.¹¹
• Income and wealth limits: The system is aimed at SMEs and families with lower incomes. In the Canton of Bern, the upper limit for relevant income is 160,000 CHF.⁹
• Application process: The application is usually submitted digitally via the “KiBon” platform to your municipality of residence. There, you must disclose your financial circumstances and upload the relevant supporting documents (e.g. employment contracts).¹²

The amount of the voucher depends on income. The Daycare Center deducts the voucher value from your monthly bill, and you only pay the difference.

Tax deductibility of care costs

Regardless of subsidies, you can deduct childcare costs from your taxable income. This can significantly reduce your tax burden. However, the amount of the maximum deduction varies from Canton to Canton.

Maximum cantonal deductions for childcare costs

The exact amounts and conditions are subject to change. Please consult the guidelines for your cantonal tax return.⁴

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Practical Checklist: Find the Right Daycare Center for Your Child and Your Budget

Choosing the right daycare center is a very personal decision. The following checklist should help you ask the right questions during viewing appointments and make an informed decision.

• Pedagogy and concept:
  
  • What educational concept does the institution pursue (e.g. Montessori, immersive-bilingual)?
  • How is my child's progress and development documented and communicated to us as parents?
  • What does a typical daily routine look like?
    
    
• Staff and group size:
  
  • What is the childcare ratio in the group intended for my child (number of children per caregiver)?
  • What is the educational background of the supervisors? How high is the proportion of qualified specialists?
  • How is continuity ensured in the event of personnel changes or illness?
    
    
• Costs and benefits:
  
  • What exactly is included in the monthly costs (meals, diapers, care products, trips)?
  • Are there any hidden or additional costs that we have to Reckon with?
  • Does the institution accept subsidies or care vouchers from my municipality?
    
    
• Organization and flexibility:
  
  • How flexible are the delivery and collection times?
  • How long are the notice periods and what regulations apply in the event of a longer absence (e.g. holidays)?
  • What are the opening times during school holidays?

An important tip: Start your search early. In many urban areas, places in high-quality facilities are highly sought after, and registration during pregnancy is often advisable. For initial guidance and reliable information, you can contact the Official Advice Centers in Your Municipality or the Cantonal Child and Youth Welfare Centers (KJZ).¹⁵

Conclusion

Childcare costs in Switzerland undoubtedly represent a significant financial investment for families. As this guide has shown, the cost landscape is complex and characterized by cantonal differences as well as diverse but often bureaucratic support systems.

But the decision for a daycare center should never be determined by the price list alone. It is the choice of place where your child will spend some of their most formative years — a place that sparks their curiosity, strengthens their self-confidence and sets the course for their future life. High-quality care based on a well-thought-out educational concept, qualified staff and a warm atmosphere is an invaluable asset. It lays the foundation for lifelong learning, interpersonal skills and emotional stability.

We hope this guide has given you the transparency and guidance you need to make an informed decision that is right for your family. During a personal meeting in one of our schools, we cordially invite you to see for yourself how a professional, warm and pedagogically outstanding care environment can develop your child's unique potential.

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