Act on the Promotion of Extra-familial Childcare (Kinderbetreuungsgesetz, KibeG) - General Provisions (KibeG)

1. To facilitate the compatibility of family and employment, supplementary child care is supported with contributions.

2. The contributions are directed to legal guardians who utilize a supported child care service for a child under their care.

1. Contributions may be applied for the care of preschool children from the age of three months and for the care of school-age children until the completion of primary education. The care must be provided by a recognized institution.

2. Recognized institutions in this context are

a) Daycare centers that hold a license according to Art. 13 et seq. of the Foster Child Ordinance;

b) Day families that are registered according to Art. 12 of the Foster Child Ordinance and settle accounts through a professional organization recognized by the canton;

c) the extracurricular care services provided by the municipalities.

1. Right to Contributions: Guardians who engage in self-employment or employment with at least a 20 percent level of employment and reside in the canton are entitled to contributions.

2. If guardians maintain a joint household, their combined employment level must be at least 120 percent.

3. Contributions for the number of childcare hours per year and per child are granted up to a maximum according to the employment level, as specified in the appendix.

1. Contributions may, in justified exceptional cases, be granted independent of the requirement of gainful employment for a certain number of care hours if this promotes the professional integration of the guardians, contributes to the relief of the family, or serves the welfare of the child.

1. Contributions shall be assessed according to the economic capacity of the legal guardians. In the case of marriage, registered partnership, or a stable cohabitation, the financial capacity of the collective is decisive.

2. The economic capacity is determined according to the relevant income for premium reduction in health insurance. The highest income eligible for claims is 100,000 Swiss francs.

3. The government council determines the contribution amount per income level. At the lowest income level, a maximum of 90 percent of the childcare costs incurred shall be reimbursed to the legal guardians.

1. Applications for contributions must be submitted to the competent authority no later than 30 days after utilizing the childcare services.

2. No compensation will be granted for care hours claimed late.

1. The contribution decree generally establishes the entitlement for a duration of twelve months.

2. In the event of a significant change in the actual or legal circumstances, the contribution decree shall be adjusted.

**1. The contributions are paid out monthly to the legal guardians. The details are regulated by the government council.**

1. The legal guardians shall provide the competent authority with all information necessary for the assessment of the claim.

2. Significant changes in the actual or legal circumstances must be reported to the competent authority without solicitation.

1. Contributions wrongfully received must be refunded.

2. The claim for a refund expires ten years after the disbursement.

1. Appeals against decisions made by the competent authority can be lodged with the competent department in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

1. The canton bears 50 percent of the total expenses (contributions and execution costs), which remain after deducting any federal contributions. The remaining costs shall be borne by the municipalities.

2. The cost distribution among the municipalities is determined by the residence of the legal guardians and the number of utilized care hours.

3. The canton invoices the municipalities for their share of the costs annually.

1. The government council shall issue the necessary implementation regulations.

2. It may delegate the execution wholly or partially to suitable organizations.