If you are moving to Switzerland with your family and you have young children, you may want to look into your options when it comes to early childhood education in Switzerland. There are lots of different forms of support when it comes to childcare in Switzerland, but it can be expensive to arrange care for preschool children, so it’s wise to start looking into your options early.
Childcare in Switzerland
Early childhood education in Switzerland is divided into two stages:
- Childcare for children under the age of four
- Preschool for children over the age of four, as part of compulsory schooling
Switzerland operates a private system of childcare between the ages of zero and four, which parents can voluntarily send their child to. Attendance is not compulsory. You can find out more about sending your child to daycare on our childcare in Switzerland page.
Preschool in Switzerland
From your child’s fourth birthday, they are entitled to a place in a state-funded preschool. In some cantons, attendance is mandatory between the ages of four and six, while others only mandate one year of preschool before your child starts primary school. In other cantons, preschool is optional.
You can find out more about preschool in Switzerland in our dedicated guide.
Childcare providers in Switzerland
From creches and daycare centres to nannies and au pairs, there are many different options when it comes to finding a childcare facility for your child. Your employer might even offer their own daycare facilities.
As the Swiss cantons are primarily responsible for daycare provision, you should contact your local council (Gemeinde) for more information on childcare providers in your area. They should be able to point you towards a local directory. You can also search options on the Kibesuisse website.
International schools
Many international schools in Switzerland also offer early childhood education programes for children as young as three years old. Your child will play, learn and explore in a bilingual, international environment.
Paying for early years education in Switzerland
Childcare in Switzerland isn’t cheap, but the Swiss government does support young families with some benefits and allowances. The family allowance, which all parents who have dependent children are entitled to, should go some way towards offsetting the cost of childcare.
As of January 1, 2023, you can deduct the cost of childcare from your taxable income in your tax return, up to 25.000 Swiss francs per year. Some cantons also offer childcare subsidies. Rates vary according to location and your salary, but you should enquire with your local Gemeinde if you are struggling to cover the cost of childcare.
Finally, many daycare providers also offer discounts for parents that have two or more children registered in their care.