Who sets custody fees in the canton of Bern?

The cantonal administration of Bern sets the general principles and guidelines, but each municipality of the canton has autonomy in the specific definition of fees for custodial services in its territory. This ensures that the calculation remains progressive based on household income, while maintaining equity and accessibility.

How are custody fees calculated in the canton of Bern?

Rates are primarily based on the household's annual gross income. The higher the income, the higher the contribution required. Additional factors include the number of children in custody, attendance times (part-time vs. full-time), and the age of the child. Each municipality applies its own formula, so it is essential to ask your municipality of residence for a simulation.

What subsidies are available to reduce custody costs?

The canton of Bern and the municipalities offer dedicated subsidies for families that meet specific income criteria. The amount and criteria vary from municipality to municipality, but the objective is to significantly reduce the economic burden of custody. You must submit an application to the competent municipal office with income documentation.

Where to go for information on nurseries, Tagesfamilien and afterschool in my municipality?

Contact the municipal office for family services or social services (often also called the social councillor or welfare office). Each municipality publishes an updated list of accredited facilities, registration forms, schedules and deadlines. Many municipalities also have online portals dedicated to childcare.

Are Custody Fees Tax Deductible?

In many Swiss cantons, including the canton of Bern, documented custodial expenses may be deductible from taxable income in the cantonal and municipal tax return. The maximum deductible amount and conditions vary per canton; we recommend checking with your municipality's cantonal tax office for exact details.

Kindergarten Bern: fees, costs and subsidies (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 7 September 2026

Daycare center in Canton Bern with children in outdoor play area

Child care in the canton of Bern: kindergartens, Tagesfamilien, after-school. Rates calculated on family income and available cantonal subsidies.

Context

In brief

Childcare is a cantonal responsibility in Switzerland
Fees vary based on family income
Cantonal subsidies reduce costs for families
Options: daycare centers, Tagesfamilien, after-school programs

Key facts

What: Childcare services in the canton of Bern
When: From birth (daycare centers) to school age
Where: Canton of Bern, Switzerland (cantonal/communal management)
Who: Cantonal administration, municipalities, public/private facilities
How: Fees calculated based on income, subsidies available

Childcare in Switzerland is not a federal responsibility but a cantonal one. In the canton of Bern, families have several options to balance professional commitments with childcare: daycare centers (Kindertagesstätten), Tagesfamilien (day families), and after-school programs (Hort). The fees for these services are not fixed at the national level but vary from canton to canton and, within the canton of Bern, from municipality to municipality.

A distinctive feature of the Bernese system is the calculation of fees based on family income. This means that the cost of childcare depends on the family's economic situation: parents with higher incomes pay higher contributions, while those with lower incomes benefit from reduced fees. It is a progressive mechanism aimed at making the service accessible to all segments of the population.

The cantonal administration of Bern also offers dedicated subsidies to reduce the economic burden. These contributions are intended for families that meet specific income criteria and represent a crucial element of the cantonal and communal welfare system.

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Operational details

Economic implications for families

The cost of childcare has a significant impact on the family budget. In the canton of Bern, as in the rest of Switzerland, a family with both parents working and a young child in daycare faces the central question: is professional childcare economically sustainable? The answer depends mainly on two factors: the family's gross income and the amount of available subsidies.

How subsidies reduce the burden

Imagine a family with a substantial total annual gross income. Without subsidies, the fee calculated on income could result in a significant monthly contribution to daycare. However, if the municipality applies subsidy criteria and the family meets the parameters (number of children, financial situation, etc.), the actual contribution could be significantly reduced. This is where the cantonal and municipal policies supporting families make a concrete difference: subsidies are the main tool to ensure fair access to childcare.

Comparison between services

Another factor to consider: which service to choose between daycare, Tagesfamilien, and after-school care? Daycares often have more standardized fees, regulated by both the canton and the municipality. Tagesfamilien can sometimes offer slightly different fees and greater hourly flexibility, but they vary greatly depending on the individual provider. After-school care, being a service for older children and therefore with lower costs than daycares, can represent a less costly solution for those with school-aged children.

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Key points

How to access childcare services in the canton of Bern

Those interested in enrolling a child in a childcare service in the canton of Bern must follow a series of concrete steps. The procedure begins with the search and selection of the facility, proceeds with the registration, and concludes with the signing of the contract and the start of the service.

Step 1: Inform yourself at the municipality

The first step is to contact the municipal office responsible for childcare (often part of the family services office or the social services department). Here you can obtain a list of accredited facilities — public and private daycare centers, Tagesfamilien, after-school programs. Each municipality usually also publishes information on tenders, registration deadlines, and waiting lists, often available online.

Step 2: Check access criteria and simulate costs

Before registering, it is essential to request a fee simulation. The municipal office can calculate the required contribution based on the declared family income. This is the time to ask which subsidies the family might be eligible for and how to apply for them. This data allows for a realistic economic evaluation and a conscious choice.

Step 3: Apply and wait for the response

Once the preferred facility has been identified, the family submits the registration application according to the municipality's procedures (paper form or online platform). Many municipalities have specific registration periods (e.g., spring for the following school or calendar year). If the application is accepted, the contract with the facility follows, where payment methods and attendance conditions are defined.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who sets custody fees in the canton of Bern?: The cantonal administration of Bern sets the general principles and guidelines, but each municipality of the canton has autonomy in the specific definition of fees for custodial services in its territory. This ensures that the calculation remains progressive based on household income, while maintaining equity and accessibility.
How are custody fees calculated in the canton of Bern?: Rates are primarily based on the household's annual gross income. The higher the income, the higher the contribution required. Additional factors include the number of children in custody, attendance times (part-time vs. full-time), and the age of the child. Each municipality applies its own formula, so it is essential to ask your municipality of residence for a simulation.
What subsidies are available to reduce custody costs?: The canton of Bern and the municipalities offer dedicated subsidies for families that meet specific income criteria. The amount and criteria vary from municipality to municipality, but the objective is to significantly reduce the economic burden of custody. You must submit an application to the competent municipal office with income documentation.
Where to go for information on nurseries, Tagesfamilien and afterschool in my municipality?: Contact the municipal office for family services or social services (often also called the social councillor or welfare office). Each municipality publishes an updated list of accredited facilities, registration forms, schedules and deadlines. Many municipalities also have online portals dedicated to childcare.
Are Custody Fees Tax Deductible?: In many Swiss cantons, including the canton of Bern, documented custodial expenses may be deductible from taxable income in the cantonal and municipal tax return. The maximum deductible amount and conditions vary per canton; we recommend checking with your municipality's cantonal tax office for exact details.