Frequently asked questions

Without subsidies: CHF 100–150 per day. With subsidies (depending on income): CHF 10–90 per day. The exact costs depend on your canton, municipality, and income.

Yes. At the federal level, up to CHF 10,100 per child per year. Cantonal maximum amounts are higher — in Zurich and Geneva up to CHF 25,000. Requirement: The care must be necessary due to employment, education, or illness.

Yes, in most municipalities. Subsidies are income-dependent. Ask the social services department or family office of your municipality.

CHF 14–25 per half-day (2–3 hours). At 2 half-days per week: CHF 110–200 per month. Some municipalities contribute.

Through a day-care family association: CHF 5–11 per hour (income-dependent). Privately: CHF 10–25 per hour.

Yes, if the childminder works through a recognised day-care family association. The municipality can provide income-dependent contributions.

Yes, if you pay the grandparents for it and the care is necessary due to employment. The grandparents must declare the income for tax purposes.

Most daycare centres accept children from 3 months — directly after the end of maternity leave. Some start from 4 or 6 months.

Ideally 6–12 months in advance. In cities like Zurich and Bern, best already during pregnancy. Register at several daycare centres simultaneously.

Usually following the Berlin model: 2–4 weeks. First together, then short separations that are gradually extended.

Recommended: 1 caregiver per 3 children (babies under 18 months), 1 per 5–6 children (toddlers from 18 months). Ask about this during your visit.

A Switzerland-wide quality label for daycare centres, awarded by the Swiss Childcare Association (kibesuisse) and the Jacobs Foundation. It assesses pedagogical quality, staff qualifications, and processes.

Yes. Every daycare needs a cantonal operating licence under the PAVO (Foster Child Ordinance) and is regularly supervised.

No. In Switzerland, there is no legal entitlement to a childcare place.

From about 2.5 to 3 years, until kindergarten entry.

A playgroup lasts only half a day (2–3 hours), 1–2 times per week. Daycare offers full-day care. In playgroups, free play is central, not care for working parents.

Indoor playgroups, forest playgroups, nature playgroups, farm playgroups, music playgroups, integrative playgroups, and playgroups focusing on language development.

There is no legal requirement. The SSLV recommends a recognised training and awards a quality label.

Not in general. However, early German language support is mandatory: children without sufficient German skills must attend a German-speaking playgroup, daycare, or day-care family at least 3 half-days per week in the year before kindergarten.

A caregiver who looks after children at home — alone, with other children, or together with their own children. Max. 5 children at a time without a special licence.

Not necessarily. Up to 5 children and max. 2.5 care days/week: registration with the municipality. Beyond that: cantonal licence required.

Training/first aid course, references, child-safe home, insurance cover, clear contract with care times and costs, agree on a trial period. Safest: look for a childminder through a day-care family association.

For part-time care, often yes. Through an association: CHF 5–11/hour vs. CHF 100–150/day in daycare. For full-time care (8–10h, 5 days), costs can be similar.

kizi.ch is the Swiss platform for childcare. Parents can find daycare centres, playgroups, and childminders nearby — and contact providers directly through the platform.

Yes. For parents, kizi.ch is completely free — search, compare, and contact. For providers, all features are currently free as well.

Click "Register", choose whether you are a parent or provider, and create your account in less than 2 minutes. No credit card required.

kizi.ch is available in German, French, Italian, and English.

Your data is processed under Swiss data protection law (DSG) and stored on servers in Switzerland. We do not share personal data with third parties.

Yes. All features for parents and providers are currently free. No hidden costs, no credit card required.

No. Registration is completely free and requires no payment details.

No. For parents, kizi.ch remains permanently free — search, compare, and contact.

No. No commissions, no placement fees, no hidden charges.

Existing customers will be informed in advance. The free basic package will remain.

Long-term through optional premium features for providers. Currently, all features are free.

Yes. There is no minimum term and no cancellation period.

Everything: profile, photos, place management, direct enquiries, statistics, SEO visibility, and multilingual support.

Daycare centres, playgroups, childminders/day-care families, and nannies can register for free and create a profile.

After registration, you can immediately fill in your profile: name, description, photos, opening hours, and prices. Then publish it.

Parents can write to you directly through the platform. You will receive a notification by email and in your dashboard.

No. The profile is a simple form. You don't need a website or technical knowledge.