- As a supplement to external childcare, Solothurn families should receive childcare vouchers.
- The canton would cover 20 percent of the voucher costs, and the municipalities would have to pay the rest.
- All municipalities would have to contribute to the financing.
- Like Solothurn, many cantons are in the process of reorganizing support for child care.
Relieve families, do something about the shortage of skilled workers and increase the attractiveness of the canton: That’s what the Solothurn government wants to do with the childcare vouchers. They want to “introduce state contributions for supplementary family childcare in all municipalities in the canton,” she writes in a statement. Contributions are currently voluntary and 75 communities are supported.
Many municipalities support offers for preschool children, but not for school children, says the responsible government councilor Susanne Schaffner. That should change. The canton worked with the municipalities on the law. The business associations are also behind the change.
Vouchers also valid in other cantons
The vouchers would now directly support the parents (subject financing) and no longer the offers (property financing). Families could use the childcare vouchers at daycare centers, daycare structures or families of their choice – even in another canton.
Legend:
In mid-2023, 75 communities in Solothurn provided financial support for childcare services. 32 communities pay nothing.
KEYSTONE/Ennio Leanza
The contributions should depend on the income of the parents. Low-income earners (up to 40,000 francs) would benefit from the maximum contribution. The upper limit for support would be with an annual income between 120,000 and 160,000 francs.
Municipalities and cantons pay 19 million
The cantonal parliament still has to approve the change to the social law. The Solothurn government would like to introduce the new regulation in August 2025, with a transition period of two years.
She expects child care costs to be around 38 million francs annually. The canton would take over almost 4 million, the municipalities around 15 million. The rest would remain with the parents – around 20 million. The canton is also hoping for contributions from the federal government.
Comparison is difficult
Some municipalities in the canton of Solothurn are already using childcare vouchers. In the canton of Bern, many municipalities also issue vouchers. There are also communities in the cantons of Lucerne, the two cantons of Basel and Zug. The list is not exhaustive.
Legend:
In addition to looking after preschool children, the Solothurn government council would like to see municipalities support more offerings for school-age children.
KEYSTONE/DPA/Monika Skolimowska
According to government councilor Susanne Schaffner, Solothurn would now be in the Swiss midfield. Many cantons that have recently re-regulated family childcare have switched to subject financing.
However, a nationwide comparison of offers and support is difficult. It is regulated very inconsistently, says Maximiliano Wepfer from the Swiss Child Care Association (Kibesuisse).
How do communities react?
The change in the law is now being consulted in Solothurn. Parliament then decides. It will be interesting to see how the communities position themselves. Even if they were there when the template was drawn up and some of them are already familiar with childcare vouchers, some people are certainly critical of “compulsion” by the canton.
Thomas Blum from the residents’ community association adds that in addition to the canton and municipalities, the economy also has to make a contribution. Ultimately, companies benefit if more mothers can work thanks to external care.