Training Paths in Childcare: FaBe, HF & More

Training Paths in Childcare: FaBe, HF & More

Childcare in Switzerland offers diverse career prospects — from a three-year apprenticeship to a university-level diploma to career-change entry with a short course. Whether you've just finished school, want to change careers, or are assembling your team as a daycare manager: this guide gives you a complete overview of all training paths, costs, duration, and earning potential in Swiss childcare.

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Overview: The Education Landscape

The Swiss vocational education system offers various entry points and advancement opportunities in childcare:

Qualification	Duration	Prerequisites	Typical role
EBA Assistant in Health and Social Care (AGS)	2 years	Completed compulsory education	Daycare assistant, working under supervision
EFZ Childcare Specialist (FaBe)	3 years	Completed compulsory education (secondary level recommended)	Group care in daycare
HF Early Childhood Education	3 years (full-time) / 4 years (part-time)	EFZ FaBe or equivalent	Daycare management, concept development
kibesuisse Basic Course for Day-Care Parents	5 days	No formal prerequisites	Day-care family childcare
SSLV Playgroup Leader Training	1 year (part-time)	No formal prerequisites	Playgroup leadership
CAS/MAS Early Childhood Education	1–3 years (part-time)	University degree or HF	Specialisation, management, consulting

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EFZ Childcare Specialist (FaBe): The Core Training

The three-year FaBe vocational training is the most important qualification for working in daycare centres. It is completed as an apprenticeship (dual education): you work in a daycare and attend vocational school in parallel.

Specialisation: Children

The FaBe training offers three specialisations: Children, Disability, and Elderly Care. For working in daycares, you choose the Children (Childcare) specialisation.

Training Content

• Developmental psychology ages 0–12
• Pedagogical concepts and methods
• Observation and documentation
• Collaboration with parents and professionals
• Health, nutrition, hygiene
• Creative activities, movement, music
• Communication and conflict resolution
• Law and organisation (incl. PAVO)

Practical Information

• Duration: 3 years
• Apprentice salary: approx. CHF 800 (1st year), CHF 1,000 (2nd year), CHF 1,200 (3rd year)
• Vocational school: 1–2 days per week
• Inter-company courses (ÜK): Several weeks across the entire apprenticeship
• Qualification: Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ)
• Shortened apprenticeship: For adults with professional experience, a shortened apprenticeship (2 years) is possible

Tip for daycare operators: FaBe apprentices are a valuable resource for your team. You train qualified professionals while benefiting from their work. Information on training authorisation is available from your cantonal vocational training office.

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EBA Assistant in Health and Social Care (AGS)

The two-year AGS basic training is a more accessible alternative to the FaBe qualification. It is aimed at young people who prefer a practically oriented education.

Difference from FaBe

	AGS (EBA)	FaBe (EFZ)
Duration	2 years	3 years
Level	Basic	Advanced
Independence	Under supervision	Independent in sub-areas
Salary after training	CHF 48,000–54,000/year	CHF 55,000–68,000/year
Advancement options	FaBe EFZ completion (2 years)	Direct HF possible

The EBA is a fully recognised professional qualification and provides a solid entry point. Many AGS graduates subsequently complete the FaBe training in shortened form.

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Higher Professional School (HF) Early Childhood Education

The HF training is the next career step after the FaBe EFZ. It qualifies you for management roles, concept development, and demanding pedagogical tasks.

Study Content

• Advanced developmental psychology and attachment theory
• Pedagogical concept development
• Team leadership and personnel management
• Business administration and management
• Quality management
• Parent collaboration and counselling
• Inclusion and diversity
• Academic research methods

Study Models

Model	Duration	Cost (approx.)
Full-time study	3 years	CHF 3,000–10,000/year (cantonally subsidised)
Part-time (60–80% employment)	4 years	CHF 3,000–10,000/year

Well-Known HF Institutions

• agogis (Zurich, Bern, Lucerne)
• BFF Bern (Education Centre for Health and Social Services)
• CURAVIVA Continuing Education (various locations)
• Education Centre for Health and Social Services (BGS) Chur

Admission Requirements

• EFZ Childcare Specialist or equivalent qualification
• At least 1 year of professional experience (recommended)
• Admission interview and, if applicable, aptitude assessment

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kibesuisse Basic Course for Day-Care Parents

The basic course from kibesuisse (Swiss Childcare Association) is the standard training for day-care parents and comprises 5 course days.

Content

• Child development (ages 0–12)
• Communication and collaboration with parents
• Nutrition and health
• Safety in the household
• Legal foundations (PAVO, contracts, insurance)
• Role and approach as a day-care parent

Practical Information

• Duration: 5 days (spread over several weeks)
• Cost: CHF 600–900 (partially subsidised by the day-care family organisation)
• Prerequisites: No formal training required, but enjoyment of working with children and a stable living situation
• Qualification: kibesuisse certificate, recognised throughout Switzerland

More on this in the guide Becoming a Childminder.

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SSLV Training for Playgroup Leaders

The Swiss Playgroup Leaders Association (SSLV) offers a recognised training programme for playgroup leaders.

Modular Structure

• Basic module: Fundamentals of playgroup pedagogy (approx. 70 lessons)
• Advanced modules: Specialisation in areas such as forest playgroups, integration, creative activities
• Practical mentoring: Mentoring and observations

Practical Information

• Duration: Approx. 1 year, part-time
• Cost: CHF 3,000–5,000
• Qualification: SSLV certificate

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Continuing Education: CAS, MAS and Specialist Courses

After the basic training, there are numerous continuing education options:

Continuing education	Providers (examples)	Duration	Cost
CAS Early Childhood Education	ZHAW, FHNW, PH Zurich	1 year part-time	CHF 5,000–9,000
CAS Leadership in Childcare	CURAVIVA, HfH	1 year part-time	CHF 6,000–9,000
MAS Early Childhood Education	Uni Fribourg, PH Thurgau	2–3 years	CHF 15,000–25,000
First Aid Course for Children	Samaritan, SRC	1–2 days	CHF 150–250
Language Support in Early Years	PH Zurich, PH Bern	2–5 days	CHF 500–1,500

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Career Change: Paths for Career Changers

Are you working in another profession and want to switch to childcare? This is possible — and is actively encouraged given the staff shortage.

Routes for Career Changers

1. Shortened FaBe Apprenticeship (2 years) If you are over 22 and have at least 2 years of professional experience (in any field), you can complete the FaBe apprenticeship in a shortened 2-year format instead of 3.

2. Validation of Prior Learning Do you already have extensive (informal) experience in childcare? Then you can obtain a FaBe EFZ through the validation process without completing the regular apprenticeship. You demonstrate your competencies through a portfolio.

3. Adult Education (Art. 32 BBV) Adults with at least 5 years of professional experience (of which 3 years in childcare) can sit the EFZ examination directly without completing a formal apprenticeship.

4. kibesuisse Basic Course as an Entry Point As a low-threshold entry, the kibesuisse day-care parent course is suitable. It requires no prior training and qualifies you to work as a day-care family.

5. Internship + Training Many daycares offer internship places for career changers. An internship of 6–12 months gives you insight and makes starting the FaBe training easier.

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Salaries by Training

What can you earn in childcare? Salaries vary by canton, employer (public vs. private), and professional experience.

Training/Function	Gross salary/year (0–3 yrs exp.)	Gross salary/year (5+ yrs exp.)
AGS EBA (Assistant)	CHF 48,000–54,000	CHF 52,000–58,000
FaBe EFZ (Group care)	CHF 55,000–65,000	CHF 62,000–72,000
FaBe EFZ (Group leader)	CHF 62,000–72,000	CHF 68,000–78,000
HF diploma (Daycare manager)	CHF 78,000–95,000	CHF 85,000–105,000
Untrained (Intern/assistant)	CHF 42,000–50,000	CHF 48,000–55,000
Childminder (kibesuisse course)	CHF 8–15/hr	CHF 10–18/hr
Playgroup leader (SSLV)	CHF 30–45/hr	CHF 35–50/hr

Note: In subsidised daycares with municipal service agreements, salary guidelines based on kibesuisse recommendations often apply. Private daycares may pay higher or lower.

More on recruitment in our guide Staff Shortages in Childcare: Solutions.

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Future Prospects in the Field

Childcare is a growth field. Several factors point to good future prospects:

• Political will: The federal government and many cantons are investing heavily in expanding non-family childcare. The parliamentary initiative for start-up financing has released additional federal funds.
• Staff shortage: Demand for qualified staff far exceeds supply. Well-trained professionals have excellent job prospects.
• Social change: More and more families are using external childcare. The care rate is rising across Switzerland.
• Professionalisation: Quality requirements are increasing — along with demands on staff and salaries.

Career Paths

From the FaBe training, various paths are open to you:

• Horizontal development: Specialisation (e.g. language support, forest pedagogy, inclusion)
• Vertical development: Group leader -> Daycare manager -> Area manager -> Executive director
• Starting your own business: Your own daycare, playgroup, or day-care family. More in the guide Starting a Daycare in Switzerland.
• Move into related fields: School social work, special needs education, parent counselling, specialist consulting

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Conclusion: Diverse Paths into a Meaningful Profession

Childcare offers a suitable entry for every background — from practical apprenticeship to university-level studies, from career change to specialisation. Job prospects are excellent, and the profession is as meaningful as they come: you accompany children during one of the most formative phases of their lives.

The key points:

1. FaBe EFZ is the core training for working in daycares (3 years)
2. HF Early Childhood Education qualifies for management roles (3–4 years)
3. kibesuisse course is the quickest entry for day-care parents (5 days)
4. Career change is possible and actively encouraged
5. Continuing education pays off — financially and professionally

Looking for a position in childcare? Or do you want to strengthen your team as a provider? On kizi.ch for providers you can reach families and professionals in your region.

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Sources: SBFI — State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, kibesuisse — Swiss Childcare Association, SAVOIRSOCIAL — Swiss Umbrella Organisation for the Social Sector, SSLV — Swiss Playgroup Leaders Association, agogis — Higher Professional School for Social Work, kibesuisse salary recommendations 2026. As of: February 2026.