DACH Childcare Monitor: Attracting new talent – and keeping it under good conditions

Getting started in childcare remains popular among Swiss teenagers. At the same time, Lucerne is extending its minimum wage requirements for daycare pre-internships, as inspections continue to reveal violations. A Basel service for spontaneous childcare is closing for financial reasons. Germany is planning additional daycare funding and a reorganisation of staff deployment; Austria continues to debate quality standards and the use of available funding. What does this mean for daycare managers and operators?

The key points at a glance

• Switzerland: Lucerne extends minimum wage rules for pre-internships; FaBe Kinder (Child Care Specialist) remains one of the most popular apprenticeships.

• Germany: Lower Saxony wants to permanently secure additional financial support and make career changes easier.

• Austria: The committee debate on the full use of early childhood education funds remains undecided.

Switzerland – focus on German-speaking Switzerland

1. Lucerne extends minimum wage rules for daycare pre-internships until 2030

On 6 November, the Lucerne cantonal government decided to extend the standard employment contract (NAV) for pre-internships in private daycares until 30 June 2030. In 2025, inspections of 39 daycares found minimum wage violations at seven facilities, affecting ten people. In 2026, seven out of 32 facilities showed signs of possible violations. At the same time, the canton notes that the frequency and extent of underpayment have decreased since the NAV was introduced.

Context: Daycares need to organise training paths and internships properly under labour law. The rules are meant to prevent long, poorly paid pre-internships from replacing regular training paths.

Source: Canton of Lucerne, announcement of 6 November 2026

2. FaBe Kinder remains a sought-after apprenticeship

According to an analysis by kibesuisse of the 2026 Nahtstellenbarometer (transition barometer), the Fachfrau/Fachmann Betreuung EFZ apprenticeship, specialising in children, ranks third among young women and fourth overall among teenagers in terms of the most popular apprenticeships. The results of the nationwide Nahtstellenbarometer were published on 29 October.

Context: Interest in entering the profession remains strong. Whether this translates into enough qualified professionals for daycares also depends on the availability of training places, training quality, and staff retention. The ranking alone doesn't answer these questions.

Through Kita jobs on Awina, interested candidates can find out about open positions in childcare.

Source: kibesuisse, 2 November 2026; SBFI, 29 October 2026

3. Basel: Kindernäscht closes after 25 years

Basel's Kindernäscht, which has offered spontaneous childcare in the city centre for over 25 years, will cease operations at the end of 2026. According to SRF, financial difficulties and recently declining usage are the main reasons.

Context: This individual case highlights the economic challenge of offering childcare on an irregular-use basis. Flexible places need to be available even when demand fluctuates. However, a single closure doesn't indicate a general trend for spontaneous childcare.

Source: SRF Regionaljournal, 3 November 2026

4. Daycare families: new working guidelines for child protection

On 4 November, kibesuisse presented two new working guidelines for daycare family organisations: a code of conduct for caregivers and a tool for assessing and addressing boundary-violating behaviour towards children. A traffic light system and practical examples are meant to make the guidelines easier to apply.

Context: Child protection and quality development also affect family-based childcare. These materials give organisations guidance for shared standards and clear steps to take.

Source: kibesuisse, 4 November 2026

Germany

5. Lower Saxony plans to permanently secure 290 million euros in additional daycare funding

On 3 November, the cabinet in Lower Saxony approved an amendment to the daycare law regarding association involvement. Around 290 million euros in additional annual funds, already being disbursed, are to be permanently incorporated into regular financial support. The draft provides for group-based flat rates instead of the previous person-based calculations, fewer documentation requirements, easier individual case approvals for career changers, and a phased increase in third staff members. From August 2036, a third staff member is to be mandatory under certain conditions.

Context: The reform links funding, staffing, and administrative relief. For operators, the planned funding flat rates and specific staffing requirements are particularly relevant. For now, this is still a draft law, not yet in effect.

Source: Lower Saxony State Chancellery, 3 November 2026

6. Bundestag to vote on Daycare Quality Act on 12 November

A decision on the Startchancen- und Qualitätsentwicklungsgesetz (Opportunities and Quality Development Act) is scheduled in the German Bundestag for 12 November. The government's draft includes, among other things, more binding assessments of language and developmental progress, as well as targeted support for daycares facing particular challenges. Funding and implementation have been the subject of controversial debate in recent weeks.

Context: The upcoming decision is relevant for operators and states, as it could create new tasks around assessment, support, and staffing. As of the editorial deadline on 9 November, the law has not yet been passed.

Source: German Bundestag, agenda of 6 November 2026

Austria

7. Education committee postpones motions on funding and quality standards

On 3 November, Austria's education committee postponed two motions on early childhood education: one on the full use of funds from the federal-state agreement, and one on a nationwide framework for quality standards. As a result, no new legal regulation has come out of this session.

Context: The debate highlights two open questions: how allocated funding actually makes its way into childcare practice, and how uniform quality requirements should be. For operators, implementing regional and nationwide requirements remains a key issue.

Source: Austrian Parliament, committee session of 3 November 2026

Important deadline notice for Swiss daycare operators

The current Swiss federal impulse programme ends on 31 December 2026. Complete applications must be submitted by 30 December at the latest, and generally before the start of the relevant measure. This topic has already been covered in previous issues and is only repeated here as a deadline reminder.

Source: Federal Social Insurance Office – current information

DACH trend of the week: entering the profession alone won't solve the staffing issue

Lucerne and the new Nahtstellenbarometer show two sides of the same challenge: the FaBe Kinder profession is in demand among young people, yet fair entry conditions remain an issue. Lower Saxony is trying to tackle staff recruitment, qualification, and funding together. Austria is debating the resources and standards needed to enable good childcare. For the sector, what matters isn't just how many people are interested in training or taking up a position. Equally important are sustainable working conditions, professional development, and the quality of everyday care.

With Awina for daycares, childcare facilities can make their offerings visible and reach families looking for the right daycare place.

Numbers of the week

The Awina DACH Childcare Monitor provides weekly updates on developments in childcare and early education in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria – compact, source-based, and with context for the sector.

More developments in childcare: You can find all previous issues and the latest news from Switzerland, Germany, and Austria in our DACH Childcare Monitor.