Finding and paying for childcare

Kita, day-care family, lunch table. Where your child is looked after, what it costs and how childcare vouchers help.

You work or are in training? Then your child needs childcare. In Luzern there are different offers. Most cost money.

The city of Luzern helps with childcare vouchers (Betreuungsgutscheine). This is money for the day-care centre (Kita) or the day-care family (Tagesfamilie).

Which childcare is there?

  • Kita (day-care centre, Kindertagesstätte): Professionals look after children from 3 months in a group.
  • Day-care family (Tagesfamilie): A day-care mother or day-care father looks after your child at home. Often also in the evening or at the weekend.
  • Playgroup (Spielgruppe): For children from about 3 years, a few hours per week. Good for the German language.
  • Lunch table (Mittagstisch) and day structures (Tagesstrukturen): For school children before and after school, with lunch.

What is a childcare voucher?

The city of Luzern pays part of the Kita or day-care family. This is called a childcare voucher (Betreuungsgutschein). How much you get depends on your income and your work.

You may be entitled to it. These are the rules of the city of Luzern:

  • Your child is not yet in kindergarten.
  • Your child has a place in a recognised Kita or day-care family.
  • Couples work at least 120 percent together. Single parents at least 20 percent.
  • Your income is below CHF 120'000 per year.

You apply for the voucher online via «KiBeLU». If you have questions, the city of Luzern helps: 041 208 81 90.

What you can do now

  1. Look for a Kita or day-care family on kinderbetreuung.lu.ch.
  2. Ask for a free place. Have the place confirmed.
  3. Calculate your voucher with the online calculator of the canton.
  4. Submit the application online via KiBeLU.
  5. Questions? Call the city of Luzern: 041 208 81 90.

Stadt Luzern, Betreuungsgutscheine und Beitrag für Spielgruppe (2026-09-21)

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