Skip to content
Swiss comparison 2026

Nanny, childminder, au pair, daycare or babysitter? The Swiss comparison (2026)

Short and honest: Working parents with two or more children are best served by a nanny or a daycare centre. A nanny wins on flexibility and from the second child, daycare on social contact and standard hours. A childminder is the right choice for part-time working parents with one child who want a family setting.

An au pair suits families with an interest in another culture, school-age children and a spare room (max. 12 months, language course compulsory). A babysitter is for the occasional evening. Not as a full-time solution.

Below: full Big Five comparison, decision wizard and 5 family examples.

Swiss children in a playground: childcare comparison
The Big Five in detail

15 dimensions, 5 options, one table

On a phone the first column stays fixed. Swipe horizontally through the five options. The nanny column is highlighted (that is Clino's speciality).

Swipe horizontally: the first column stays fixed.

Dimension
NannyClino's home turf
Childminder
Au pair
Daycare
Babysitter
Who is the employer?YouThe childminder herself, or a day-family organisationYou + the placement agencyThe daycare centreYou
Where does the care happen?Your homeThe childminder's homeYour home + a room (live-in)Daycare roomsYour home
Usual hours40–50 h/week, sometimes overnight8–30 h/week per family≈ 30 h/week, max. 25–30 h40–50 h/week (opening hours)4–15 h/week
Typical costCHF 4'000–6'500 / monthCHF 8–12 / h per childCHF 800 pocket money + board and lodgingCHF 100–160 / day per childCHF 15–25 / h
AHV/UVG mandatory?from the first franc of payYou payThe childminder herselfYou payThe daycare paysfrom franc one
Withholding tax (foreign staff)?Yesn/aYesDaycare's businessYes
Permit needed?Foreign staff: residence and work permitCantonal foster-care permit (PAVO)Au pair visa, quota for non-EUn/a for parentsNot for a few hours a week
Child's age0 – school age (and beyond)0 – 12 yearsSchool age and up (au pair is 18–25)3 months – kindergarten (often 0–4)All age groups
Qualification / regulationYour choice: no minimum standardPAVO + Kibesuisse standards (cantonal)Language course required, agency support for the familyQualified childcare staff (FaBe) requiredNone: Swiss Red Cross babysitting course recommended
Federal tax deduction?up to CHF 25'800/childYes, in fullYesPay share onlyYesOnly if declared
FlexibilityHighMediumMediumLow: fixed opening hoursVery high
Bond with the carerVery strong (1:1)Strong (family setting)Strong + cultural exchangeChanging (shifts)Loose (occasional)
Child falls ill: what happens?Nanny is there, care continuesChildminder is at home, backup may be neededAu pair is there, care continuesChild has to stay homen/a (not a full-time setup)
What Clino does hereregistration, payroll, contract, tax deductionYes, the whole runNot applicableNot applicableNot applicableIf AHV is due
Best for …Working parents, 2+ children, flexible hoursPart-time parents, one child, family settingFamilies with school-age children and an interest in languagesStandard hours + contact with other childrenOccasional evenings, weekends, emergencies
applies / available does not apply conditional / with limitsdotted= hover or tap for details
Decision wizard

4 questions, one honest recommendation

No algorithmic hocus-pocus. Just the reasoning we go through with families every day. 30 seconds.

Question 1 of 4

How many hours of childcare a week do you need?

Question 2 of 4

How many children under 12?

Question 3 of 4

How important is social contact with other children?

Question 4 of 4

Would a language or culture exchange in the house be a plus for you?

When does a nanny fit and when not?

A nanny is not the right choice for every family

When a nanny makes sense

  • 2+ children: one salary instead of two daycare bills
  • Child ill: the nanny is there, daycare sends them home
  • Early mornings, evenings and odd hours are coverable
  • One-to-one bond, the same person for years
  • Federal tax deduction up to CHF 25,800 per child, usable in full
  • Helps around the house where it concerns the children

When she does not fit

  • Highest total cost when there is only one child
  • You are the employer: AHV, UVG, BVG where applicable, withholding tax
  • If the nanny drops out, there is no plan B
  • No automatic social contact with other children
  • Recruiting and the background check are on you
  • Ending it is emotionally hard on the children
5 real constellations

What the choice looks like for real families

Anonymised examples from the enquiries we get: names changed, situations real.

The Berger family

Zug · Both full-time, 2 children (3 + 5)

→ Nanny

40 hrs a week, 2 children, one salary. Daycare places are scarce in Zug. Federal tax deduction up to CHF 51,600 (2 × 25,800).

The Rossi family

Lugano · One full-time, one at 60%, 1 child (3)

→ Childminder

No need for 40 hrs, and they wanted a social mix. The Ticino childminder organisation invoices, so there is no direct employer workload.

The Müller family

Zurich · Both full-time, 1 child (4)

→ Daycare + babysitter

Social contact was decisive and standard hours fit. A babysitter for 1–2 evenings a week takes the pressure off.

The Schmid-Roth family

Bern · Parents travel a lot, keen on languages, 2 children (6 + 8)

→ Au pair

The children are already at school and need company mornings and afternoons. Spanish was the priority, so an au pair from Madrid for 12 months.

The Keller family

Aargau · Full-time + 80% part-time, 3 children (1 + 4 + 7)

→ Nanny

With 3 children daycare quickly costs more than a nanny. One person covers the nanny role and the kindergarten logistics, plus homework help for the eldest.

Annual cost comparison

1 child, 40 hrs a week: what does each option cost per year?

Gross amounts before the federal tax deduction (up to CHF 25,800 per child). Daycare unsubsidised.

BabysitterCHF 18'000

40 hrs × CHF 20 × 22 weeks (rarely realistic all year round)

Au pairCHF 21'600

CHF 800 pocket money + CHF 1,000 board and lodging × 12

ChildminderCHF 26'400

CHF 11/hr × 40 hrs × 50 weeks + the organisation's markup

DaycareCHF 33'600

CHF 140/day × 5 × 48 weeks, unsubsidised

NannyCHF 60'000

CHF 4,500/month gross + roughly 12% employer costs

How to read this: The nanny looks more expensive but is cheaper per child from the second one. One salary covers two children, two daycare places cost double. And with a nanny the federal deduction can be used in full, because there is an official salary certificate.

Cost of childcare in Switzerland, compared
Frequently asked questions

10 questions almost every family asks

Which is cheaper: a nanny or daycare?
With one child daycare is usually cheaper (CHF 2,300–3,500 a month unsubsidised vs CHF 4,000–6,500 for a full-time nanny). From two children the maths flips: two daycare places cost CHF 4,600–7,000 a month, a nanny is still one salary. On top of that, a nanny is more flexible around illness and unusual hours.
Can I combine a nanny and daycare?
Yes, and it is common. A typical model is daycare 2–3 days (social contact) and a nanny on the remaining days (flexibility, early mornings and evenings). The nanny is registered normally; AHV and UVG run through the simplified or the ordinary procedure. Both costs are deductible for federal tax up to CHF 25,800 per child per year.
Au pair: is there a quota for non-EU nationals?
Yes. For third-country nationals (non-EU/EFTA) the au pair programme is tightly quota-limited. The conditions: aged 18–25, a stay of no more than 12 months, a compulsory language course, and placement through a recognised agency. EU/EFTA citizens fall under the free movement agreement. No quota, but they still have to be registered.
Childminder: what does the canton check?
Anyone who regularly looks after children under 12 in their own home for payment needs a cantonal foster-care authorisation (PAVO). The checks cover the premises, hygiene, the criminal record, first-aid knowledge and the maximum number of children at once. If the childminder is employed through a childminder organisation, that organisation holds the authorisation.
When do I need to register my nanny or babysitter with the AHV?
For anyone employed in a private household. Nanny, babysitter, au pair. AHV registration is compulsory from the first franc of pay; the CHF 2,300 de minimis threshold does not apply here. (Only for employees under 25 may pay of up to CHF 750 a year stay contribution-free, if both sides agree.) Up to CHF 22,680 a year the simplified procedure applies (one flat rate covers AHV, ALV, UVG and withholding tax). Above that: the ordinary procedure with a monthly payslip.
Can we deduct the au pair's pay from tax?
Only the declared cash pay (the pocket money), not board and lodging. It requires an official salary certificate at year end. In practice the deductible amount is CHF 8,000–10,000 a year. Far less than for a nanny on a full salary.
Does my nanny need a residence permit?
Swiss and EU/EFTA citizens need nothing special to be employed in a private household. Third-country nationals do need a regular work permit and private households almost never get one for a nanny position, because quota priority goes to qualified domestic labour.
What is the difference between a childminder and a nanny?
The place and the employer. A childminder looks after children in her own home, often for several families at once. She is usually self-employed or employed by a childminder organisation. A nanny comes to your home and is your employee. You carry the full employer duties (AHV, UVG, BVG where applicable, withholding tax).
Babysitter: at what point is it officially employment?
In a private household the AHV duty applies from the first franc. The de minimis threshold does not apply here. Only for babysitters under 25 may pay of up to CHF 750 a year stay contribution-free, if both sides agree. At the latest once there are regular weekly hours (every Wednesday evening, say), the NAV Hauswirtschaft applies with its minimum wage (CHF 20.35–24.55/hr depending on experience) and an employment contract.
We earn well: are we obliged to pick the more expensive option?
No. There is no income threshold that forces you into a nanny. The choice is purely practical: how many hours you need, flexibility, number of children, social interaction, budget. What matters is this: if you employ someone, do it legally. Undeclared work carries a fine of up to CHF 10,000 (AHVG Art. 88) plus back payment of the contributions.

More on employing a nanny

Concrete tools and templates

Employing a nanny: the hub →

The main page, with pay calculator, step-by-step guide and price.

Gross/net calculator →

What does the nanny take home? What does she really cost you?

Tax deduction calculator →

Up to CHF 25,800 per child in federal tax: what do you actually save?

Employment contract template →

A Swiss nanny contract as a PDF, NAV-compliant.

Special private extract →

Criminal record extract with the ban on working with minors: step by step.

Au pair vs nanny →

A deeper comparison with its own quiz.

Daycare vs nanny vs childminder →

A family finder with three profiles.

Registering a babysitter or nanny →

AHV registration step by step.

Cost of childcare in Switzerland →

Every model side by side, with a subsidy map.

Decided on a nanny?

Clino guides you through registration, contract, payroll and the tax deduction. CHF 19.90 a month. No power of attorney, no commission.

Start with Clino

Nothing charged before day 30. Cancel any time.

Learn more

Daycare, Nanny or Childminder? Honest Comparison

Read article→

Childcare Costs Switzerland 2026

Read article→

Ready? First payslip in 5 minutes.

Start for free