Grandparent Childcare in Switzerland: The Numbers

Grandma and Grandpa are the most popular carers in Switzerland. Around 72 percent of all grandparents regularly look after their grandchildren — no other care model is as widespread. What many parents don't know: under certain conditions, you can even deduct grandparent childcare from your taxes.

In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know: the advantages and risks of grandparent care, how to claim the tax deduction, what fair compensation looks like, and why a combination model with daycare is often the best solution.

---

Grandparent Childcare in Switzerland: The Numbers

Switzerland is a country of grandparent childcare. The figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) and various studies paint a clear picture:

• 72% of grandparents regularly look after their grandchildren
• Grandparents provide around 160 million hours of unpaid care annually
• The estimated economic value of this contribution is over CHF 8 billion per year
• On average, grandparents care for their grandchildren on 1 to 2 days per week
• Grandmothers provide significantly more hours of care than grandfathers

This makes grandparents by far the most widespread care model — ahead of daycares, playgroups, and day-care families. The model is deeply rooted especially in German-speaking Switzerland, while institutional care is used more frequently in Romandy.

Good to know: The high prevalence of grandparent childcare significantly eases the burden on the institutional care system. Without this contribution, the daycare place shortage in Switzerland would be far more severe.

---

Advantages of Grandparent Care

Care by Grandma and Grandpa brings numerous advantages — for children, parents, and grandparents alike.

For the Children

• Emotional bond: The relationship with grandparents is unique. Children benefit from an additional stable attachment figure who gives them unconditional affection.
• Familiar environment: The care takes place in a familiar setting — whether at Grandma's house or at your home. The settling-in process required at daycare is completely eliminated.
• Individual care: Grandparents can focus fully on one or two children. The care is significantly more individual than in a daycare group.
• Passing on knowledge and tradition: Telling stories, cooking together, tending the garden — grandparents pass on knowledge and values that are not in any care concept.
• Language development: Especially in multilingual families, grandparents can play an important role in passing on the heritage language.

For the Parents

• Maximum trust: Nobody will care for your child as lovingly as your own parents or in-laws. This gives you peace of mind when you're at work.
• High flexibility: Grandparents are often more flexible than institutional care. A last-minute appointment? A sick child? Grandma and Grandpa often step in.
• Cost savings: Grandparents usually care for free or for a small compensation. Compared to daycare costs of CHF 100 to 150 per day, this is a considerable saving.
• No care contract needed: Unlike with a childminder or nanny, you don't need a formal employment contract.

For the Grandparents

• Meaningful activity: Many grandparents enjoy the active role in their grandchildren's lives. Caring gives structure and meaning to retirement.
• Mental and physical fitness: Studies show that grandparents who regularly care for grandchildren stay mentally sharper and suffer less from loneliness.
• Close relationship: Regular care days sustainably deepen the relationship with grandchildren.

---

Tax Deduction for Grandparent Care: How It Works

One of the most common questions from parents: Can I deduct grandparent care from my taxes? The answer is: Yes — but only under certain conditions.

The legal basis is Art. 33 para. 1 lit. c DBG (Federal Act on Direct Federal Taxation) and the respective cantonal tax law. Grandparent care counts as so-called third-party care, provided the conditions are met.

Requirements for the Tax Deduction

For grandparent care to be tax-deductible, the following conditions must be met:

Requirement	Details
Employment	At least one parent must be employed or in education
Third-party care	The grandparents must not live in the same household
Child under 14	The child being cared for must be under 14 years old
Documented costs	Compensation must be paid (a purely voluntary service is not deductible)
Documentation	Payments must be verifiable (receipts, bank transfer)

How High Is the Deduction?

The maximum deductible amount depends on whether you are looking at direct federal tax or cantonal tax:

• Direct federal tax: Maximum CHF 25,500 per child per year (since tax period 2023)
• Cantonal tax: The maximum amount varies by canton. In most cantons, it is between CHF 6,000 and CHF 25,000. Some cantons are more generous than others.

Use our tax calculator to calculate the specific savings for your situation.

Care Outside the Home vs. In the Parents' Home

An important point that often causes confusion:

• Care at the grandparents' home (outside the home): Clearly qualifies as third-party care and is deductible, provided the other conditions are met.
• Care in the parents' home: A deduction is also possible here if the grandparents do not live in the same household and receive compensation.
• Grandparents in the same household: If grandparents live with you, the care generally does not qualify as third-party care. The deduction is then not possible.

Important: The tax authorities require proof that compensation was actually paid. A symbolic payment is sufficient — but a payment must be documented. Ideally, transfer the amount monthly by bank transfer so that there is a complete paper trail.

Step by Step: Claiming the Tax Deduction

1. Agree on compensation with the grandparents (even a small amount is sufficient)
2. Pay by bank transfer — not cash, so you have proof
3. Record the care days — a simple calendar or spreadsheet is enough
4. Enter the amount in your tax return under "third-party childcare costs"
5. Submit documentation on request — bank statements, written agreement

Further details on the tax deduction can be found in our comprehensive guide Deducting Childcare from Your Taxes.

---

Compensation: What Is Fair?

The question of compensation is delicate — after all, it involves your own family. Some grandparents refuse any payment, others expect recognition. Here are some orientation points:

No Employment Relationship

Legally speaking, there is no employment relationship between you and your parents/in-laws when they care for your grandchildren. You are therefore not an employer and do not need to pay social insurance contributions — as long as the care is on a family basis and not commercial.

Guide Values for Compensation

Model	Amount	Suitability
Symbolic recognition	CHF 20–50 per day	For grandparents who don't want payment, but you want to use the tax deduction
Expense allowance	CHF 50–100 per day	Covers food, outings, materials — the most common variant
Market-rate compensation	CHF 100–150 per day	Based on childminder rates — rather rare for grandparents
No money, but in-kind	—	Instead: pay for holidays, restaurant visits, gifts, practical help

Tips on Compensation

• Raise the topic openly. Many grandparents feel uncomfortable accepting money from their own children. Emphasise that it is recognition — not a wage.
• Cover at least the expenses. Food, outings, craft materials — the costs add up. A flat expense allowance is the minimum.
• Think about the tax deduction. Even a modest compensation of CHF 100 per month already enables you to claim the tax deduction.
• Find creative solutions. Instead of cash, you could give the grandparents a trip, buy restaurant vouchers, or regularly do shopping for them.

---

Avoiding Generational Conflicts: Clear Agreements

As wonderful as grandparent care is — it has conflict potential. Different ideas about upbringing, unclear expectations, and missing boundaries repeatedly lead to tensions. Prevention is better than confrontation.

Typical Sources of Conflict

• Nutrition: You insist on sugar-free snacks — Grandma gives chocolate and biscuits
• Screen time: You limit tablets and TV — Grandpa leaves the television on
• Sleep times: You have fixed sleep rituals — these are ignored at the grandparents' home
• Parenting style: You rely on non-violent communication — the grandparents threaten with consequences from another generation
• Spoiling: Grandparents tend to fulfil every wish of their grandchildren
• Unsolicited advice: "We did it this way too, and you turned out fine"

How to Make the Collaboration Work

1. Have an open conversation — BEFORE the start

Sit down with the grandparents before regular care begins. Discuss the following points:

• How many days per week? Which days? Fixed or flexible times?
• Where does the care take place? At your home or at the grandparents'?
• What rules apply? (Nutrition, media consumption, sleep times, outings)
• What happens when the child is ill — or the grandparents?
• Who steps in if grandparents are unavailable?

2. Respect boundaries — in both directions

• Grandparents may say "no" when it becomes too much
• Parents may set parenting rules that must be respected
• Both sides need the right to adjust the arrangement at any time

3. Write down the most important points

This does not need to be a formal contract — but a simple written agreement helps avoid misunderstandings. Record:

• Care days and times
• The most important rules
• Compensation (amount, payment method)
• Holiday arrangements
• Notice period (yes, even among family members!)

4. Distinguish "grandparent days" from "care days"

A helpful approach: on agreed care days, your rules apply. When the grandparents spend time with the grandchildren beyond that (weekends, holidays), they may be more relaxed. This distinction takes a lot of pressure off.

5. Show gratitude

Never forget: grandparents care out of love, not obligation. An honest "thank you" and regular appreciation are the foundation of a functioning care relationship.

---

Risks and Limits of Capacity

As valuable as grandparent care is — it has its limits. As parents, you must recognise and respect these limits.

Recognising Overload

Grandparents rarely admit that the care is becoming too much for them. Watch for these warning signs:

• Frequent cancellations or health complaints
• Irritability or impatience towards the child
• Exhaustion after the care day — more than just "healthy tiredness"
• Withdrawal from their own activities, hobbies, and friendships
• Hints such as "It's quite demanding" or "It used to be easier"

Health Aspects

As grandparents age, the risks also increase:

• Physical strain: Lifting toddlers, playing on the floor, climbing stairs — this can be strenuous for older people
• Reaction time: In case of falls or emergencies, grandparents must be able to react quickly
• Chronic conditions: Back problems, heart disease, or limited mobility can impair the ability to care
• Medication: Some medications affect attention and reaction time

What You Can Do

• Limit the care days. Two days per week are manageable for most grandparents. Five days are too many for nearly all.
• Adapt the care to age. A 3-year-old is considerably more demanding than a 7-year-old. When the children are younger, reduce the load.
• Plan breaks. Holiday weeks where grandparents are free are important. There should also be breaks during the year.
• Talk regularly about the burden. Actively ask how the grandparents are doing — and take the answer seriously.
• Have a Plan B. What do you do if the grandparents are unavailable? A daycare registration as a backup can be sensible.

---

The Combination Model: Grandparents + Daycare

The most popular model for many Swiss families is the combination of grandparent care and institutional care. It combines the best of both worlds.

Typical Arrangement

Day	Care	Advantages
Monday	Daycare	Social contacts, structure, professional support
Tuesday	Grandparents	Individual care, family warmth
Wednesday	Daycare	Pedagogical programme, other children
Thursday	Grandparents	Flexibility, outings, personal time
Friday	Parents / free	Family time

This 2+2 model (two days daycare, two days grandparents) has proven to be the golden middle ground.

Advantages of the Combination Model

• Social development: At daycare, your child learns to interact with peers, resolve conflicts, and navigate a group. With the grandparents, they receive the individual attention that can sometimes be lacking at daycare.
• Relief for grandparents: Two days per week are manageable for most grandparents without leading to overload.
• Cost savings: Instead of five days of daycare, you only pay for two to three days. At an average daily rate of CHF 120, you save several hundred francs per month.
• Flexibility: If the grandparents are unavailable, you still have a reliable structure through the daycare.
• Broad development support: Your child benefits from professional early education at daycare AND from the emotional depth of the grandparent relationship.

Challenges and Solutions

• Different rules: Daycares have clear structures. Grandparents are often more flexible. Try to keep the most important rules consistent everywhere (e.g. sleep times, meal times).
• Transitions: Some children struggle with switching between different care settings. A fixed weekly structure helps build routine.
• Communication: Inform both the daycare and the grandparents about the weekly plan. Share relevant information (child slept badly, doctor's appointment coming up) with all carers.

Tip: On kizi.ch, you can find daycares, playgroups, and childminders in your area that also offer part-time places — ideal for the combination model.

---

Special Situations

Grandparent Care During Separation or Divorce

When parents separate, grandparent care can become a complex topic. The fundamental principle is: the child's welfare comes first. Grandparents on both sides should continue to play a role in the child's life. However, clear agreements are needed about which grandparents care on which days — especially when the care is linked to visitation rights.

More on this in our guide Single Parents: How to Find the Right Childcare.

Grandparents Who Live Far Away

Not all families are fortunate enough to have Grandma and Grandpa around the corner. When grandparents live further away, regular care can be difficult. Possible solutions:

• Block care: The grandparents come for a week and provide intensive care, rather than every week
• Holiday care: Grandparents take over care during school holidays or daycare closure periods
• Digital contact: Video calls can maintain the relationship between physical visits

When Only One Grandparent Cares

Often it is the grandmother who takes on the bulk of the care. This can lead to imbalances. Encourage the grandfather to be active too — many grandfathers flourish when they take on their own care role.

---

Checklist: Setting Up Grandparent Care Properly

Use this checklist before regular care begins:

• Open conversation held with grandparents about expectations and boundaries
• Care days and times agreed upon
• Most important rules (nutrition, media, sleep) discussed and noted
• Compensation agreed and payment method established (bank transfer!)
• Emergency plan created: what happens if grandparents fall ill?
• Contact list filed: paediatrician, emergency services, neighbours
• Allergies and medication of the child communicated
• Insurance questions clarified: does the grandparents' liability insurance cover care?
• Holiday planning agreed: when do the grandparents have time off?
• Plan B organised: alternative care for when grandparents are unavailable
• Tax deduction prepared: ensure proof of payments

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I deduct grandparent care from my taxes?

Yes, under certain conditions. The grandparents must not live in the same household, at least one parent must be employed, the child must be under 14 years old, and compensation must be paid (and documented). The deduction is a maximum of CHF 25,500 for direct federal tax. More on this in our guide to the tax deduction.

How many days per week should grandparents care for at most?

Most experts and those involved recommend one to two days per week as a good measure. At three or more days, the risk of overload increases significantly — especially when the grandparents are over 70 or have health limitations. A combination model with a daycare is the more sustainable solution in most cases.

Do I have to pay the grandparents for care?

Legally speaking: no. There is no obligation to compensate grandparents for care. However, if you want to use the tax deduction, a verifiable payment must be made. Regardless of taxes, we recommend covering at least the expenses (food, outings, materials) and regularly showing appreciation.

What if grandparents have different parenting ideas?

The most important thing is an open, respectful conversation — ideally before conflicts arise. Together, define the non-negotiable rules (e.g. safety, allergies) and the areas where grandparents may act more freely. The principle of "on care days your rules apply, on grandparent days they can be more relaxed" can help reduce tensions.

Are the grandparents insured if something happens during care?

The grandparents' private liability insurance generally covers damages that occur during care — for example, if the child gets hurt at the grandparents' home. However, check the insurance coverage in detail and clarify whether regular childcare is covered by the policy. In case of doubt, a quick call to the insurance company is worthwhile.

---

Conclusion: Finding the Right Balance

Grandparents are a wonderful childcare resource — and by far the most important one in Switzerland. But for the model to work long-term, it requires clear agreements, mutual respect, and realistic expectations.

The key points at a glance:

• Use the tax deduction. Even a small compensation by bank transfer is sufficient as proof.
• Don't overburden the grandparents. Two days per week is ideal — not five.
• Talk openly about rules and boundaries. Better once too often than once too few.
• Combine with institutional care. The 2+2 model (grandparents + daycare) unites the best of both worlds.
• Show appreciation. Grandparents care out of love. Never forget to say thank you.

Looking for a daycare or playgroup that fits with grandparent care? Find childcare places near you — many providers on kizi.ch offer flexible part-time models.

---

Sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO), Family Report 2024, Federal Tax Administration (FTA), kibesuisse, Pro Senectute Switzerland, Jacobs Foundation