
Activities with children
There is a great deal for children to experience and discover in Bern, such as the bears at the Bern Animal Park or the Dählhölzli Zoo, the adventure park or the many playgrounds in the city.
- City of Bern, Parks and Playgrounds (interactive city map)
- More activities to enjoy with children in Bern and the surrounding regions (change to Tourism Page)
- Ferienpass (Vacation Pass): Activities for children during the summer holidays
Childcare
-
Playgroups
-
Childcare Facilities
- Canton of Bern, Childcare
- City of Bern, Childcare incl. KI-TAX platform, babysitting, short-term solutions.
-
Daycare centers (KITA) for children from 3 months
General information
- Daycare centers are open from Monday to Friday, usually from 7 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
- The KITA can define a minimum number of days on which you must have your child looked after in order for him/her to be admitted (e.g. three days per week).
- Some KITAs take children until they start with kindergarten and others will take care of your child until the end of kindergarden.
- The costs depend on the income and assets of the parents, as well as on the amount of care required and the number of children.
- Certain KITA are subsidized. The city of Bern reduces the costs of childcare with childcare vouchers. The application can be submitted online.
- Childcare vouchers will also be available for non-residents of Bern from the summer of 2020.
- Most KITA have a waiting list. We strongly recommend that you reserve a KITA spot at least 9 months in advance directly with the KITA.
Overview of KITA
- Overview: KITA accepting childcare vouchers
- Overview: KITA without childcare vouchers
- Popepoppa: KITA in French
- Globegarden: KITA in English/German
- KITA for Children with Special Needs
Tip
Whenever possible, choose a KITA in your own neighborhood, since your child will be enrolled in the local kindergarten where you live. This ensures that the travel time from the KITA to the kindergarten and vice versa is as short as possible.
-
All-Day Schools for Kindergarten- and School-Aged Children
- A distinction is made between day-care centres, day schools and all-day schools (the city of Bern wants to merge day schools and day-care centres in the future).
- The service is open to all parents and children.
- Some centres/schools also offer transportation.
- The services are voluntary and fee-based.
Day care centres for school children (Tagesstätten)
- In the city of Bern: open 50 weeks a year from Monday to Friday.
- Pupils spend at least three days a week in the day care centre.
- There are support groups, common leisure activities and holiday camps.
Day schools (Tagesschulen)
- They are closed during the school holidays.
- The offer includes lunch, leisure activities and task assistance.
- Parents can decide on how many days their child uses the offer.
- Canton of Bern: Day Schools
All-day schools (Ganztagesschulen)
- Unlike a day school, an all-day school has fixed hours (e.g., 3 days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) during which all children are present.
- All-day schools combine teaching and supervision. Students will spend their lessons, lunchtime supervision and leisure time in the same classroom and with a constant teaching and supervision team.
- Childcare services for children outside school hours (before and after normal class hours, including lunch, leisure activities and task assistance).
- Bern has four all-day schools: Schulhaus Stöckacker, Spitalackertrasse, Wankdorf and Bümpliz-Höhe.
- Canton of Bern: All-day schools
-
Fact
Did you know that certain daycare facilities have been awarded quality seals, such as “Fourchette verte”?
Parental Counseling
- City of Bern, Partnership, Marriage and Family: offers lots of useful information and contact numbers
- Parenting Center: free advice for expectant parents and parents with small children
- Canton of Bern, Parenting Counseling: free advice for parents of slightly older children
Education

Switzerland is well known for its accessible, flexible and high-quality schooling system. Which type of schooling best suits your personal situation (financial circumstances, your child's mother tongue, length of stay in Switzerland, etc.)? Which institution is responsible for recognizing a diploma? Where are German courses offered? We can give you impartial, individualized advice on the various educational offers available – just contact us!
-
Kindergarten (2 years) and Compulsory Schooling (9 years)
- Kindergarten and School System in the Canton of Bern (great overview, including school holidays, Lehrplan 21, health and difficult situations)
- The Ecole Cantonale de Langue Française (ECLF) in Bern is a public school (kindergarten as well as grades 1 through 9) that follows the curriculum from the French-speaking Swiss cantons. The main language of instruction is French, with German and English taught as subjects.
- Persons with privileged status who do not have to register with the municipality can register their child directly at the school nearest to their place of residence.
- Important: Transfer from secondary school to high school/Gymnasium is not guaranteed, but only possible on recommendation or with an entrance examination. A popular alternative to the Gymnasium is a vocational training. Those interested in an apprenticeship complete a trial apprenticeship at an early stage and apply directly to the company.
- Did you know that despite the “Harmos” project (aimed at harmonizing compulsory education in Switzerland), the school entrance age still varies in some cantons? Education is a cantonal affair, and the situation has evolved over the years. Harmonizing many different school systems takes time.
- Kindergarten and School System in the Canton of Bern (great overview, including school holidays, Lehrplan 21, health and difficult situations)
-
Vocational Training, Colleges of Higher Education and Universities of Applied Sciences
- Overview of Vocational Training, SERI
- Overview of Colleges of Higher Education, Canton of Bern
- Overview of Universities of Applied Sciences, SERI
Apprenticeship training enjoys an excellent reputation in Switzerland, and around two thirds of Swiss young people complete an apprenticeship after finishing their compulsory schooling. The country’s low unemployment rate is due in part to the fact that young adults are integrated into the working world earlier than in other places. After finishing their apprenticeship, a large majority of them go on to complete another practice-oriented course of study at a college of higher education or university of applied sciences.
In Switzerland, lifelong learning is strongly encouraged within the framework of its very accessible education system. Anyone who decides to complete a vocational apprenticeship first can still pursue an academic degree afterwards – with increasing options to do so while continuing to work.
-
Technical Secondary Schools and Secondary Schools (High Schools)
- Overview of Technical Secondary Schools (Fachmittelschulen) in the Canton of Bern
- Overview of Cantonal Secondary Schools (High Schools/Gymnasien) in the Canton of Bern
Technical Secondary Schools (Fachmittelschulen) are for pupils who target a career in the fields of in the professional fields of health, social work or education. The technical school also prepares for higher tertiary education like College of Higher Education or University of Applied Sciences.
-
Universities
- Overview of Swiss Universities, swissuniversities
- Each university decides independently which admission requirements apply to the individual courses. Depending on the university, the admission requirements for the same course of study may therefore differ.
- Overview of Swiss Universities, swissuniversities
-
International Schools
-
Music Classes
The Musikschule Konservatorium Bern is a music school offering classes and courses for all ages
-
Language Classes
- City of Bern (German classes only)
- Canton of Bern, Language Classes for Migrants (with search function)
- Your municipality may also offer language courses.
-
Recognition of Foreign Qualifications
- The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is responsible for recognizing foreign qualifications.
- The Vocational Information Center (BIZ) Bern is happy to help with questions about your foreign qualifications.
-
Children with Special Needs
- Foundations For Learning (in Basel and Zurich)
- Nathalie Foundation (in Gümligen)
- Sport/Exercise for People with Disabilities
- Speech Therapy: Professional Association of Bern Speech Therapy (speech therapists can be chosen by language or location)
You might also like
-
Employment & TaxesWould you like to run your own business or are you looking for employment? Do you have questions about taxes and other duties in Switzerland? Here is an overview.Employment & TaxesMore
-
Recreation & EnjoymentBern locals have really perfected the art of living! They love to find a seat and take in the breathtaking mountain panorama in the distance, swim in the Aare river, or stroll leisurely beneath the charming arcades of the Old Town. We can help you discover how and where the people of Bern live life to the fullest in this capital of leisure.Recreation & EnjoymentMore
-
Sports & OutdoorThe city of Bern is ideal for sports enthusiasts. There is a wide variety of activities ranging from indoor tennis courts to modern fitness centers and free outdoor swimming pools. If you cannot find enough information in your language, we will be happy to assist you further.Sports & OutdoorMore
-
Health & InsuranceYou can read information here about healthcare, such as doctors who speak your language, a hospital service set up for members of the diplomatic and consular corps in Bern, and an overview of the insurance system in Switzerland.Health & InsuranceMore