Bellinzona nurseries: pilot project for extended hours from 2027

Context

TL;DR

• Pilot project for extended-hour kindergarten in Bellinzona by 2027/2028.
• 90% of 3-year-olds enrolled in kindergarten would benefit.
• Aims to reduce territorial inequality in service access.
• Fees and schedules to be defined during evaluation.

Key facts

• Project Launch: 2027/2028 academic year
• Main Beneficiaries: Families with 3-year-old children in kindergarten
• Current Enrollment: Morning-only, complicating daily management
• Evaluation Deadline: June 2028
• Budget Coverage: Space adjustments and additional staff for 2027/2028
• Cross-border Impact: Lack of extended-hour services adds logistical challenges
• Model Municipalities: Lugano, Locarno, Mendrisio, Chiasso with established services
• Fees Structure: Proportional to income, details to be defined

An inter-party motion presented to the Bellinzona Municipal Council calls for the launch of a pilot project for extended-hour sections in one or two kindergarten locations by the 2027/2028 academic year. The proposal, spearheaded by Camilla Guidotti (Centro), is backed by municipal councillors from Unità di sinistra, Verdi/Fa, Lega, Mps, and Avanti con Ticino&Lavoro/Più Donne/Noce.

Who benefits and why now

Families with 3-year-old children — who account for over 90% of enrolments in the optional year of kindergarten — would be the main beneficiaries. Currently, children are initially enrolled only in the morning, making daily management difficult for households without support networks. As explained in the motion, 'In the first months, the reduced and gradual schedule for enrolment complicates daily management for many families, especially those without a support network.'

“Children have no opportunity to continue their day in a structured educational setting,” reads the text of the motion.

The proposal aims to address a territorial inequality: some areas of Bellinzona already offer flexibility or exemptions for afternoon care, but others have no options at all. The result is unequal access to services between neighbourhoods and families, placing an unsustainable burden on those working full-time.

📊 Key points of the motion

The Municipal Council is called upon to:

• Activate one or two pilot spaces for extended-hour care by 2027/2028;
• Include the budget for the first academic year in the 2027 and 2028 estimates, covering space adjustments and additional staff;
• Evaluate by June 2028 the educational effectiveness, financial sustainability, and family satisfaction;
• Define the optimal formula (income-based fees, minimum enrolment numbers, schedules) for potential rollout across the entire municipality.

💡 Comparison with other Ticino municipalities

The proposed solution is not new: extended-hour sections (from around 7:00 to 19:00) are already well-established in Lugano, Locarno, Mendrisio, and Chiasso. In these municipalities, the service helps parents better balance work and family life while providing children with a smoother transition. As highlighted in the motion, 'Staying in the same environment strengthens a sense of belonging to the group and school, an element that supports the development of autonomy and social skills.'

⚠️ Implications for cross-border workers

For cross-border families who work in Ticino but live in Lombardy, the lack of extended-hour services in Bellinzona represents an additional obstacle. Many households are forced to arrange extra transport or rely on expensive private services to cover the hours not covered by public kindergarten. If approved, the motion could be a first step toward a structured solution for this group of users.

Timeline of the proposal

• 9 April 2026: Presentation of the inter-party motion;
• By 2027/2028: Launch of the pilot project;
• June 2028: Evaluation of results and decision on rollout;
• 2028/2029 academic year: Potential activation across the entire municipality.

Operational details

Before vs after: what changes for families

Before the potential introduction of extended-hour sections, families in Bellinzona face an extremely rigid school schedule. Children aged 3 start kindergarten only in the morning, leaving parents with no alternatives for the afternoon hours except relying on private services or relatives. As highlighted in the motion, "limited attendance at kindergarten makes their integration into extracurricular centers logistically more complex and less sustainable from an organizational standpoint."

A practical scenario: the case of a cross-border family

Take the example of a couple who both work in Bellinzona but live in Varese. Currently, if their 3-year-old child attends the municipal kindergarten, the mother must arrange extra transportation to cover the afternoon hours not covered by the school service. This entails:

• Additional costs for private services (babysitters, summer centers, private transport);
• Loss of time in logistics management;
• Family stress due to lack of flexibility.

With the introduction of extended-hour sections, the same family could instead:

• Reduce costs for external services;
• Optimize travel between work and school;
• Ensure the child a structured educational environment even in the afternoon.

Comparison with other municipalities: Lugano as a model

In Lugano, where extended-hour sections have been active for years, parents can access a service from 7:00 to 19:00, with fees proportional to income. This has made it possible to:

• Increase family participation in school services;
• Reduce inequalities between neighborhoods;
• Improve work-life balance for families.

According to the motion, Bellinzona could also replicate this model, starting with the sites where the need is most evident.

Financial sustainability: what the motion says

The pilot project includes inserting a credit in the 2027 and 2028 budgets to cover:

• Space adjustments;
• Additional staff;
• Evaluation of results.

The motion emphasizes that this is a measure that is "concrete, sustainable, and socially fair," capable of addressing real needs with pedagogical tools already tested and appreciated. However, the exact costs or funding methods have not yet been specified and will be defined during the evaluation phase.

The role of the Municipality and families

The success of the pilot project will depend on three main factors: 1. Collaboration between the Municipality, schools, and families to define schedules and fees; 2. Objective evaluation of results by June 2028; 3. The ability to expand the service in a sustainable manner.

Families interested in the project will be able to express their opinions during the evaluation phase, helping to define the optimal formula for Bellinzona.

📊 Comparative table: Bellinzona vs other Ticino municipalities

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

How to participate and what steps to follow

If the motion is approved, families in Bellinzona interested in the pilot project will need to wait for official communications from the Municipality. However, it is already possible to prepare by gathering useful information and assessing your needs.

Step 1: Verify enrollment in kindergarten

First, ensure that your child is enrolled in the municipal kindergarten in Bellinzona. The motion applies exclusively to children attending municipal schools, not those in private schools. For enrollment, contact the relevant municipal offices:

• School Office of the Municipality of Bellinzona;
• Secretariat of the relevant kindergarten.

Step 2: Monitor official updates

The Municipality will publish updates on the pilot project through official channels:

• Municipal website of Bellinzona;
• School notice boards;
• Press releases and newsletters.

We recommend subscribing to the Municipality’s newsletters to receive real-time updates.

Step 3: Participate in public consultations

During the evaluation phase (by June 2028), the Municipality will organize public consultations to gather families’ opinions. Participation is key to shaping the definition of:

• Service hours;
• Income-based fees;
• Minimum number of enrollments required to activate the service.

Step 4: Explore alternative options for now

Until the pilot project begins, families with extended hours needs can consider:

• Private babysitting services or summer centers;
• Sharing transportation with other families;
• Requesting exemptions from kindergartens that already offer flexibility.

Step 5: Prepare for 2027

If the pilot project is launched, interested families will need to:

• Complete any specific enrollment forms;
• Submit documentation (e.g., ISEE declaration for income-based fees);
• Pay fees according to the modalities communicated by the Municipality.

Key deadlines to remember

• Academic year 2027/2028: Launch of the pilot project;
• June 2028: Evaluation of results;
• Academic year 2028/2029: Possible extension to the entire municipal area.

Useful tools

To explore opportunities for cross-border families in Ticino, consult:

• Net salary calculator to assess financial impact;
• Map of Ticino municipalities to check available services;
• Guide to school services for cross-border families.

📊 What happens if the pilot project doesn’t take off?

If the results are deemed unsatisfactory, the Municipality may decide not to extend the service to the entire municipal area. However, the motion emphasizes that the measure is designed to address a real and widespread need, so it is likely to be adopted at least in some areas.

Useful contacts

For questions about the pilot project or kindergarten enrollment:

• Municipality of Bellinzona – School Office: contacts
• Reference school secretariat: addresses

FAQ for families

Which children will be able to use the extended hours service?

All children attending municipal kindergartens in Bellinzona will be eligible, regardless of their year of attendance. The motion emphasizes that priority will be given to 3-year-olds starting the optional year, but the service will also be open to others.

Will the fees be affordable for all families?

The motion provides for fees to be income-based, as already implemented in Lugano, Locarno, and Mendrisio. However, details are not yet specified and will be defined during the evaluation phase.

Will the service be available during school holidays?

At this time, it is not specified whether the extended hours service will be active during school holidays. This aspect will likely be addressed during the evaluation of the pilot project.

What happens if the pilot project does not reach the minimum number of enrollments?

The motion provides for a minimum number of enrollments to activate the service. If this number is not met, the project may be revised or postponed. However, given the high estimated demand (over 90% of 3-year-olds attend kindergarten), this scenario seems unlikely.

Can cross-border families residing in Italy also participate?

Yes, the service will be open to all families attending municipal kindergartens in Bellinzona, regardless of residency. For cross-border families, this represents a concrete opportunity to reduce costs and simplify school time management.

How will the final service hours be communicated?

The final hours will be officially communicated by the Municipality of Bellinzona once the pilot project is launched. Families can find updated information on the Municipality’s website and in school communications.

Source: laregione.ch