As fellow expat moms, we know that making decisions about childcare can feel overwhelming, especially if you are arranging it while still living in another country. We have been there ourselves—spending countless hours researching, reading forums, and trying to navigate the available options. That is why we decided to write a book for parents like us who are looking for consistent and reliable information about childcare in Switzerland.
Childcare in Switzerland, the Basel Area Edition was published in July 2024. It is our way of sharing our knowledge and experiences to help families feel more confident in their decision-making process. In this article we will give an overview of the two most common forms of childcare in Switzerland.
The Statistics
In Switzerland, 62% of children under 13 years old are enrolled in external childcare (familienergänzende Kinderbetreuung).
36% of children attend a daycare centre (Kita — Kindertagesstätte — Krippe), or a before-/after-school facility (schulergänzende Betreuungseinrichtung).
Grandparents contribute significantly, with around 40% looking after their grandchildren at least once a week.
Daycare families (Tagesfamilie) account for 7% of childcare for children between 0–3 years.
Around 5% of children have a nanny, au pair, or babysitter.
Kitas
What is a Kita?
36% of children in Switzerland are enrolled in daycare, commonly referred to as Kita. Kitas are private institutions that offer year-round care for infants starting at three months old. While some Kitas only cater to babies and toddlers, others also provide lunch, after-school, and holiday programs for older children. There are many Kitas in and around Basel, each with its own unique concepts and philosophy.
How to find a Kita?
For a list of licensed Kitas in Basel-Stadt, Riehen, and Bettingen, you can use the official directory. This user-friendly directory lets you search by:
Eligibility for subsidies
Age groups
Postal code
Language
Availability
What to keep in mind when choosing a Kita?
When choosing a Kita, there are some key factors to consider:
Availability: Not all Kitas have spots available year-round, and some may have long waiting lists. We highly recommend reaching out as early as possible.
Location: Decide if you prefer a Kita close to home, work, or near your local kindergarten or primary school. Considering most Kitas offer childcare from 6:30 to 19:00, it is important to get clarity on which parent will be responsible for the majority of drop-offs and pickups and how those can be arranged conveniently.
Bilingual or local: Decide whether you prefer an internationally orientated bilingual Kita, with English-, Spanish-, French-, or Italian-speaking staff, or a local Kita to promote Swiss German language learning.
Outdoor access: Some Kitas have private gardens, while centrally located ones may not.
Subsidies: Depending on your income, you may be eligible for cantonal or municipal childcare subsidies.
Visits: When visiting Kitas, see how you, your partner, and your child feel. If you don’t feel comfortable, or when something does not feel right, look for another one.
Daycare Families (Tagesfamilie)
What is a daycare family?
Daycare families are a recognized and well-established childcare concept in Switzerland, offering a family-orientated form of childcare. This unique form of childcare involves trained and certified caregivers providing personalized care in small groups of up to five children in their own home. Daycare families present themselves as a family orientated, individual, and flexible childcare solution.
Daycare families are led by a caregiver, known as a 'day mother' (Tagesmutter) or a 'day father' (Tagesvater). They open their homes to look after a mixed group of babies, toddlers, and children attending kindergarten or primary school, adopting an extended family philosophy. Children are often cared for together with the family’s own children, called daycare family siblings (Tagesgeschwister).
How to find a daycare family?
Most daycare families are affiliated with regional organizations that provide support to both caregivers and parents. In Basel-Stadt, Riehen, and Bettingen, Waisehuus facilitates daycare family placement. In Basel-Landschaft, there are several local daycare family organizations.
What to keep in mind when choosing a daycare family?
Availability: The number-one consideration, just like when looking for a Kita, is availability. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to inquire about childcare arrangements as early as possible.
Location: Most families prefer a daycare family close to their home, so the child can stay in the same family when starting kindergarten or primary school.
Family Profile: If you have specific requirements, make sure to communicate this to the daycare family organization.
Other Childcare Options
Learn about all available forms of childcare in our book Childcare in Switzerland – the Basel Area Edition. Available on Amazon.
Book topics include:
Introduction to the Swiss education system
Childcare in and around Basel
Local vs. international
Childcare costs
Meals, activities, and daily routines
Events and holidays
Mandatory German language programs
Finding a nanny or babysitter
And much more
Summit Education
Summit Education is an education consultancy founded Feb. 2024. Their small team of education consultants and curriculum developers has worked with international schools in Asia, the UK, and Switzerland. They understand the importance of finding the right daycare or school, and are passionate about supporting families. Their goal is to inform families about everything they need to know about the available local, private, and international options, helping them choose the best childcare or school in Switzerland.
Website: https://summit-education.ch
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