Public crèches
At the end of your maternity leave, you have the option of entrusting your children to a public crèche in your local commune during the day. Depending on availability and your needs, your children can be cared for one or more days a week. Contact your local commune early on to find out more.
- No search hits
Private and semi-private crèches
In addition to public crèches, there are Private and semi-private crèches.
Contact your local commune for more information.
Crèches at your place of work
Some companies run an in-house crèche for their employees’ children. Ask your employer about this possibility and what the conditions are.
If they have free places, these crèches will also sometimes take children of people who do not work at the company. Contact your local commune for more information.
- No search hits
It may be possible to leave your child at a kindergarten even if they have not yet reached the official kindergarten age. You can leave them for a few hours a day, two or three times a week, but not for full days. Contact your local commune for more information in your area.
- No search hits
In Switzerland you also have the possibility of entrusting your child to a childminder. This is someone who looks after another person’s child or children in a private home. Most belong to a childminders’ organisation that guarantees a safe, high-quality service. For information on availability, hours and costs, contact your local commune’.
Lunchtime
Schools, parents’ associations and other private or semi-public associations can also organise lunchtime childcare; this service also includes a meal.
This service varies depending on the canton and commune.
- No search hits
School and full-day schools
Some schools now provide supervision both before and after lessons and during the lunch break. For more information, please contact the school authorities or your local commune
- No search hits
If your child is ill and cannot go to crèche, kindergarten or school, you may need to stay at home to look after them.
If you present a doctor’s certificate to your employer, he or she must grant you up to three days’ paid leave to look after your ill child.
You should look for an alternative childcare solution (e.g. a relative or friend) as quickly as possible, unless one of the parents needs to remain with the child who is seriously ill.
If the child is in a serious condition, you can remain absent from work for a longer period. Parents are entitled to a total of 14 weeks’ paid leave(on 80% of their salary) to care for their seriously sick or injured child. A doctor’s certificate must be presented in each case.
If you or a friend is not available to care for your sick child, the Red Cross runs a home childcare service. A trained person can take care of your child or children, play with them, prepare lunch and give them their medicines, as necessary.
This service is for children up to 12 years old. Some health insurers reimburse the costs of this service.
Childcare costs generally vary according to your canton of residence and your income. Ask the various institutions for information specific to your case.
Please contact your local commune for information about the full range of childcare services in your area.
Your employer can give you detailed information on how much time you can take off work if your child is ill; alternatively consult the Federal Social Insurance Office webpage.