Public daycare centres in Ticino: signature collection begins for the popular initiative

Contesto

In Bellinzona, the official collection of signatures has now begun for a popular initiative calling for the introduction of public daycare centres in the Canton of Ticino. The proposal, backed by eight political and civil society groups, comes after the Bellinzona municipal council rejected the project. Among the supporters are the Ticino Socialist Party, Forum Alternativo, the Greens, PiùDonne, Noce, the Communist Party, Avanti, and Vpod. The initiative stems from the need to address the growing demand for childcare places, particularly in Ticino’s municipalities where the shortage of public facilities is becoming a social issue. According to the promoters, the lack of affordable daycare centres disproportionately affects middle- to low-income families and cross-border workers who live in Ticino but pay taxes in the canton. Signature collection has already started and will continue over the coming months, with the goal of gathering at least 12,000 signatures required to submit the proposal to the Ticino Grand Council. ## Why now? The social and economic context Like other border regions, Ticino is experiencing a steady increase in its resident population, driven in part by cross-border workers. Recent data shows that over 70,000 workers cross the Italian-Swiss border every day, many with preschool-aged children. Demand for places in private daycare centres—often at high costs—far exceeds supply, leaving many families without adequate solutions. The initiative’s backers warn that the lack of childcare services risks driving young people away from the canton, a trend already highlighted in recent studies. The issue also impacts workforce participation, particularly among women, who often give up jobs or reduce working hours due to the absence of public alternatives....

Dettagli operativi

The initiative for public daycare centres in Ticino is part of a broader debate on the canton’s social and economic sustainability, particularly in terms of attracting cross-border workers. The issue goes beyond mere availability of spots; it also concerns the quality and accessibility of services, which are often lacking in peripheral areas. ### Before vs after: what changes for families Currently, Ticinese families who cannot secure a spot in private daycare centres turn to alternative solutions, such as relying on relatives, hiring babysitters, or reducing working hours. According to the initiative’s promoters, the introduction of public daycare centres could save families up to 50% compared to current costs, which in Ticino can reach 2,000 CHF per month for full-time care. This would be a significant relief for middle-to-low-income households, which often struggle to balance work and family life. For cross-border workers, the problem is even more pressing. Many work in Lombardy but live in Ticino, where they pay cantonal and municipal taxes. The lack of affordable public daycare forces these families to choose between employment and childcare, with negative repercussions on productivity and quality of life. ### Possible scenarios If the initiative gathers the required signatures and is approved by the Grand Council, Ticino would align itself with other Swiss regions like Geneva and Zurich, where childcare services are already publicly guaranteed. However, the startup and operational costs of public daycare centres could pose a challenge for a canton already under financial strain. The promoters have already submitted a draft project outlining collaboration between municipalities and the canton, with targeted funding and the employment of qualified staff. Another...

Punti chiave

For anyone wishing to support the popular initiative for public daycare centres in Ticino, the process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail. Below are the steps to follow to sign the initiative: ### 1. Download and fill out the form The signature collection forms are available online on the website of the Ticino Socialist Party and at the offices of some municipalities. You must fill in the fields with your personal details: first name, surname, date and place of birth, address, and telephone number. It is essential that the information is legible and accurate to avoid invalidating your signature. ### 2. Submitting the signatures Signatures can be submitted in person at the open counters in Ticino’s municipalities that have joined the initiative, or sent by post. It is important to check the opening hours of municipal offices, as some may require an appointment. Some organisers have also set up mobile collection points, particularly in shopping centres and workplaces. ### 3. Deadline and quorum The final deadline for submitting signatures is 15 October 2026. For the initiative to be valid, it must collect at least 12,000 signatures from Ticino residents with voting rights. Once the quorum is reached, the proposal will be submitted to the Ticino Grand Council for review and discussion. ### 4. What if you don’t live in Bellinzona or the municipalities involved? Cross-border workers and residents of municipalities not directly involved can still participate in the signature collection. Simply visit a Ticino municipality that has joined the initiative or contact the organisers through their official channels to receive the form. The key requirement is that the signatory must be registered on the Ticino electoral roll. ### 5. Monitoring progress T...

Punti chiave

[{"q":"Who can sign the petition for public daycare centres in Ticino?","a":"All Ticino residents with voting rights can sign, including cross-border workers residing in the Canton. You must be registered on the Ticino electoral rolls and present a valid ID when signing."},{"q":"How many signatures are required to submit the petition to the Grand Council?","a":"The petition requires at least 12,000 signatures from Ticino residents with voting rights. The deadline for submission is 15 October 2026."},{"q":"What are the current costs for a spot in a private daycare centre in Ticino?","a":"Costs vary by municipality and facility, but typically range from 1,500 to 2,500 CHF per month for a full-time spot. Some centres apply income-based fees."},{"q":"Will public daycare centres be available in all Ticino municipalities or only in certain ones?","a":"Not yet specified. According to the promoters, the initial offer may be limited to municipalities with higher demand, such as Bellinzona, Lugano, and Mendrisio. Any extension to the entire Canton would depend on the outcome of the pilot project."},{"q":"How can I check if my municipality has joined the initiative?","a":"You can consult the list of participating municipalities on the promoters' official website or contact your local municipal office directly. Alternatively, you can reach out to the Ticino Socialist Party or other promoters for updated information."}]

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