Bern Eases Childcare Costs for Lower-Income Families

The government of the Canton of Bern has approved a new plan to provide greater financial relief for families with low to middle incomes, set to take effect in 2026. The changes aim to make childcare more affordable and improve the quality of care by increasing subsidies and raising income eligibility limits.

Expanded Financial Support for Bern Families

The Governing Council of Bern announced on Monday a significant revision to its childcare support system. The changes, part of an update to the Ordinance on Family, Child, and Youth Support Services (FKJV), are designed to ease the financial burden on working parents and strengthen the operational stability of childcare centers, known as Kitas.

According to the government's statement, the primary goal is to ensure that state funds are used effectively to both support families and enhance the quality of early childhood education and care. These adjustments address the rising cost of living and the critical role that accessible childcare plays in the regional economy.

New Income Thresholds for Subsidies

One of the most impactful changes is the adjustment of income levels used to calculate subsidies. Previously, families with a gross annual income of up to 43,000 Swiss francs were eligible for the maximum financial support. This threshold will be raised to 49,000 francs. This change acknowledges that even families slightly above the previous limit face significant financial pressure from childcare costs.

Furthermore, the upper limit for eligibility for any form of childcare subsidy has also been increased. The income cap will rise from 160,000 francs to 170,000 francs per year. This expansion means more middle-income families will now qualify for at least partial financial assistance, broadening the reach of the canton's support system.

Improving Quality of Care and Supporting Kitas

The revised ordinance goes beyond direct financial aid to parents by introducing measures to improve the quality of care, particularly for the youngest children. The changes also aim to provide much-needed relief to childcare facilities.

Enhanced Support for Infants

Recognizing the intensive needs of infants, the canton will extend the period for enhanced subsidies. Parents of children up to 18 months old will now receive a higher maximum discount, an extension from the previous 12-month period. This corresponds with a higher staffing ratio for this age group, with Kitas now allocated 1.5 care slots per infant.

This dual approach is expected to have a significant positive impact. For parents, it lowers the high cost of infant care. For childcare centers, it provides the necessary funding to maintain better staff-to-child ratios, reducing staff burnout and ensuring a higher standard of care during a critical developmental stage.

Additional Aid for Children with Special Needs

The government also confirmed that subsidies for children with special needs will be increased. While specific figures were not detailed in the initial announcement, the measure is intended to ensure that childcare is inclusive and that centers are adequately equipped and funded to support every child's unique developmental requirements.

Implementation and Financial Impact

Families and childcare providers will need to wait before these benefits take effect. The new rules are scheduled for implementation at the beginning of the next childcare voucher period, which starts on August 1, 2026. This timeline allows cantonal and municipal administrations, as well as the Kitas themselves, to prepare for the administrative and operational adjustments required.

The expansion of the subsidy program comes with a notable price tag. According to the report presented by the Governing Council, the partial revision is projected to increase the canton's annual expenditure on childcare support by approximately 8.6 million Swiss francs. This investment is seen as crucial for supporting the canton's workforce and ensuring positive developmental outcomes for its youngest residents.

The Governing Council stated that the objective is to "deploy the additional state funds as effectively as possible and to strengthen the quality of care," highlighting the dual focus on affordability for parents and sustainability for care providers.

Broader Context of Childcare in Switzerland

Childcare costs in Switzerland are among the highest in the world, often presenting a significant barrier for parents, particularly mothers, returning to the workforce. Cantonal subsidy systems are the primary mechanism for making childcare more affordable, but their effectiveness varies widely across the country.

Bern's decision to increase its financial support aligns with a broader national conversation about the importance of early childhood education and the economic necessity of accessible childcare. By investing in this area, the canton aims to not only support individual families but also to bolster its economic competitiveness by enabling more parents to participate fully in the labor market. The changes reflect a growing understanding that investment in early years care provides long-term social and economic benefits.