How exactly are kindergarten fees calculated in the Canton of Bern?

Fees are calculated based on the annual household income declared in the tax documentation. The canton places the family in a tariff range corresponding to income: lower incomes lead to lower tariffs, higher incomes lead to higher tariffs. This progressive system ensures economic equity and accessibility. The exact rates vary depending on the service provider, so it is advisable to contact the provider directly to receive a personalized quote.

What exactly are cantonal childcare subsidies?

Cantonal subsidies are economic contributions offered by the Canton of Bern to families using custodial services (kindergarten, daytime family, after-school). They are calculated on the basis of income and family composition, and serve to further reduce the cost of the monthly fee compared to the base rate. They are not automatic: the family must make a specific request and document their income to access them. Eligibility criteria are defined by the canton and may include income thresholds or indicators of economic vulnerability.

What is the difference between a kindergarten, daytime family, and afterschool?

The kindergarten welcomes very young children (from 0 years onwards) in a structured environment with qualified educators and planned recreational-educational activities. The daytime family is a service where an educator takes care of children in their own home, with a more informal and familiar approach. After-school is aimed at school-age children and offers supervision and recreational activities in the afternoon. The rates for the three services are based on the same income principle, but may vary in absolute amount.

How do I apply for Cantonal Custody Allowance?

The procedure involves: first, contacting the competent cantonal office or custodial service manager to receive the grant application form. Second, provide documentation of income (tax return, salary certificate, etc.). Third, fill in the form with personal and family data. Fourth, send the request to the cantonal office within the deadlines indicated. The administration processes the request and communicates the amount of the subsidy granted.

If I have an average income, what rate should I expect for kindergarten in the Canton of Bern?

There is no universal flat rate, as the cost depends on the specific household income and service provider. Middle-income households access an intermediate rate bracket, which means that the monthly fee represents a reasonable percentage of the household income. To obtain an accurate personalised estimate of your situation, please contact the manager and the cantonal office directly, providing income data. In this way, you will receive a specific quote and information on any subsidies for which the family may be eligible.

Child care in the Canton of Bern: costs and subsidies (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 25 August 2026

Swiss daycare center with children playing in a safe, modern and welcoming environment with educational activities.

Nurseries, day families, after-school: how income-based rates work and what cantonal subsidies are available that reduce the economic burden on families.

Context

In a nutshell

Nurseries, day families, after-school: three custodial services in the Canton of Bern for children aged 0 and over.
Fees are calculated based on household income — the lower the income, the lower the monthly fee.
Available cantonal subsidies further reduce the cost for eligible families.

Key facts

What: Three types of custodial services (daycare, day families, after-school)
Where: Canton Bern
Rate mechanism: Based on annual family income
Who: Children from 0 years (kindergarten) and school-age children (after-school)
Economic support: Cantonal subsidies for eligible families

In the Canton of Bern, families who need custody of their children while their parents are working or in training have three main solutions. The kindergartens welcome young children in a structured environment with playful-educational activities. Day families represent an alternative where children are followed in a more domestic and intimate context. Finally, the after-school teacher supports families during the afternoon hours after school hours, when parents are not yet available.

The crucial feature of these services is the tariff system: the fees are calculated on the family income. This means that there is not an identical fixed rate for all families, but a progressive structure linked to the economic situation. A family with a lower annual income accesses a contribution

Operational details

How Tariff Calculation Works

Income-based pricing is a widespread approach in Swiss custodial services. The principle is straightforward: the taxable income declared in the family's tax documentation determines the tariff bracket to which it belongs. Families with similar incomes pay similar fees, creating a predictable and transparent system for the family budget.

An important aspect is that the system is not free for anyone, not even the most vulnerable families: everyone contributes according to their economic capacity. This differentiates a progressive pricing model from a pure care model, maintaining the principle of co-responsibility. In the Swiss context, where the balance between public support and individual responsibility is a well-established value, this logic largely reflects national and cantonal social policies.

Hypothetical scenarios: how the cost varies

The practical implications of the tariff structure are significant for family budgeting. A couple with average annual income accesses an intermediate tariff range: the monthly fee for an after-school or kindergarten service represents a small percentage of the total income. A single-parent family with below-average income places itself in a lower bracket, paying a proportionally lower fee, thus increasing economic sustainability. A high-income family pays a contribution

Recommended tools

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

Key points

How to access childcare services

The procedure for accessing childcare services in Canton Bern follows defined and reasonable steps. The first step involves identifying the service most suited to the family's needs: nursery, family daycare, or after-school care. This choice depends on the child's age, parents' working hours, and personal childcare preferences.

Once the service is identified, the family contacts the provider or the competent cantonal office directly to receive information on availability, base fees, and registration procedures. It is important to note that information on availability and waiting lists vary depending on the provider and the time of year: a timely request increases the likelihood of access.

Documentation and Income Calculation

To calculate the personalized fee, the family must provide documentation proving annual income. Typically, the tax return from the previous year is the main document required. Some cantonal administrations may also request recent salary certificates, unemployment statements, social security benefit certificates, or other documents proving overall economic situation.

The presence of various income sources (main salary, additional income, pensions, capital income, maintenance allowances) is considered in the overall calculation. It is essential to provide accurate and honest documentation, as fees and subsidies are built on this information. An incomplete or inaccurate statement could result in subsequent claims or corrections.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How exactly are kindergarten fees calculated in the Canton of Bern?: Fees are calculated based on the annual household income declared in the tax documentation. The canton places the family in a tariff range corresponding to income: lower incomes lead to lower tariffs, higher incomes lead to higher tariffs. This progressive system ensures economic equity and accessibility. The exact rates vary depending on the service provider, so it is advisable to contact the provider directly to receive a personalized quote.
What exactly are cantonal childcare subsidies?: Cantonal subsidies are economic contributions offered by the Canton of Bern to families using custodial services (kindergarten, daytime family, after-school). They are calculated on the basis of income and family composition, and serve to further reduce the cost of the monthly fee compared to the base rate. They are not automatic: the family must make a specific request and document their income to access them. Eligibility criteria are defined by the canton and may include income thresholds or i
What is the difference between a kindergarten, daytime family, and afterschool?: The kindergarten welcomes very young children (from 0 years onwards) in a structured environment with qualified educators and planned recreational-educational activities. The daytime family is a service where an educator takes care of children in their own home, with a more informal and familiar approach. After-school is aimed at school-age children and offers supervision and recreational activities in the afternoon. The rates for the three services are based on the same income principle, but ma
How do I apply for Cantonal Custody Allowance?: The procedure involves: first, contacting the competent cantonal office or custodial service manager to receive the grant application form. Second, provide documentation of income (tax return, salary certificate, etc.). Third, fill in the form with personal and family data. Fourth, send the request to the cantonal office within the deadlines indicated. The administration processes the request and communicates the amount of the subsidy granted.
If I have an average income, what rate should I expect for kindergarten in the Canton of Bern?: There is no universal flat rate, as the cost depends on the specific household income and service provider. Middle-income households access an intermediate rate bracket, which means that the monthly fee represents a reasonable percentage of the household income. To obtain an accurate personalised estimate of your situation, please contact the manager and the cantonal office directly, providing income data. In this way, you will receive a specific quote and information on any subsidies for which