Federal Council agrees with extension of the daycare program
Published: Wednesday, Apr 24th 2024, 14:10
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The impulse program for the promotion of supplementary family childcare is to run until the end of 2026. The Federal Council agrees with the extension, which is intended to be a transitional solution until the definitive regulation is in place.
The extension of federal funding proposed by the Council of States' Committee for Science, Education and Culture (WBK-S) is justifiable, writes the Federal Council in its decision of Wednesday. This is because it is limited to a short period of time and is appropriate.
Program runs until the end of the year
The impulse program for the promotion of supplementary childcare expires at the end of the year. It includes financial aid for the creation of daycare places and projects that better adapt the services to the needs of parents, as well as support measures for cantons that increase their subsidies for supplementary childcare.
With the extension, the WBK-S is proposing to increase the CHF 124.5 million commitment credit by CHF 53.2 million. The Federal Council, on the other hand, only wants to increase the amount by CHF 40 million and transfer a further CHF 10 million from approved funds. The extension is intended as a transitional solution.
The WBK-S is working on its own proposal for a successor to the impulse program, which includes a childcare allowance. In future, employers and, where applicable, employees should co-finance supplementary childcare. The proposals are currently being consulted on.
The National Council, on the other hand, spoke out in favor of a federal contribution in spring 2023 - still in the composition before the elections in autumn 2023. This would cost around CHF 710 million per year.
Over 76,000 seats
The impulse program for the creation of non-family childcare places has been in place since 2003 and has been extended several times, most recently until the end of 2024. By the end of 2023, it had contributed to the creation of over 76,000 new childcare places in daycare centers and in facilities for the care of children outside of school.
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