Bern will still pay for childcare

The Confederation will continue to support childcare after parliament voted in favour to extend what was supposed to be a temporary measure.

Bern’s support of daycare was supposed to end in 2003 – but it keeps being extended as there are no other options. 

Not all sides are happy, such as the Swiss People’s Party and the Liberals. They’re worried about the cost – at least CHF 40m over the next 2 years. 

Voters will get to decide an initiative in the coming months. The Socialist party launched a campaign two years ago that childcare will not cost more than 10% of their income.

The government is urging voters to reject the text as it’s counter to the roles of the Confederation – it feels it should be down to the cantons and communes. 

No date for that vote has been set. 

 

 

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