Childcare in canton ZH
All childcare options in canton ZH
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Providers
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Daycare centers
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Available spots
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Cities
| Type of care | Costs (without subsidies) | Costs (with subsidies) |
|---|---|---|
| Daycare, full day | CHF 131–149 per day | From CHF 10 per day |
| Playgroup, half day | CHF 15–25 per half day | Partially subsidised |
| Day mother (via association) | CHF 6–11 per hour | Income-dependent |
The City of Zurich operates with a standardised cost system. Private daycare centres with service agreements offer subsidised places based on parental income.
Childcare in Canton Zurich
Canton Zurich is the most populous canton in Switzerland and has a dense network of daycare centres, playgroups and day families. However, demand exceeds supply in many municipalities — early registration is therefore particularly important.
Subsidies & discounts
In Canton Zurich, the municipalities are responsible for subsidies. There is no uniform cantonal subsidy system — each municipality manages contributions independently.
City of Zurich:
- Income-dependent contributions through service agreements with private daycare centres
- No separate application required — the daycare centre invoices the city directly
- Contact point: Contract management of the City of Zurich
City of Winterthur:
- Childcare vouchers for families residing in Winterthur
- Application at the childcare specialist office
- Contact point: Childcare City of Winterthur
Legal framework
Licensing requirements in Canton Zurich:
- Daycare centres require a licence from 7 places and 25 care hours per week
- Day families: reporting obligation for regular care of children under 12 years
- Responsible authority: Office for Youth and Career Counselling (AJB)
Tax deduction in Canton ZH
For tax period 2026, the following caps apply per child in Canton ZH:
| Direct federal tax | Cantonal tax ZH | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum per child/year | CHF 25'800 | CHF 25'000 |
| Age limit | The child has not yet reached age 14 | The child has not yet reached age 14 |
Eligibility: Proven net costs borne by the family; the child lives in the same household. The care must be directly related to employment, education, or inability to work or provide care. For parents living together, both must be prevented from providing care for one of those reasons.
Official source: Zürcher Steuerbuch Nr. 34.1 · Rules checked on 14.07.2026