Childcare availability has improved for children under three. As of March 1, 2026, there were 5,904 childcare spots available, 15 more than the previous year. At the same time, the number of children in this age group decreased by 750 to 14,740. As a result, the coverage rate rose to 40.05 percent. However, only a moderate expansion is planned for the coming years: 80 additional spots for 2027 and 20 additional spots for 2028. Cities and municipalities have not reported any further expansion for 2029.
Coverage rate for kindergarten-aged children rises to over 113 percent
The numbers are also declining for kindergarten-aged children. For children aged 3 to 6.5, 22,732 spots were reported—78 fewer than the previous year. Because the number of children also decreased by 143, the coverage rate rose to 113.07 percent. An additional 195 spots are planned for 2027, 50 of which are for full-day care.
The provision of care for school-age children is growing at a significantly faster pace. The number of spots for children between the ages of 6.5 and 14 rose by 685 to 17,513. Despite an increase of 377 children, the coverage rate rose to 41.05 percent. The expansion of 704 spots planned for 2026 was thus almost fully implemented.
A total of 706 additional spots for school-age child care are planned for 2027
School-age childcare is also set to grow significantly in the coming years. Plans call for 706 additional spots in 2027, another 384 in 2028, and 329 in 2029. This is the municipalities’ response to the legal entitlement to full-day care that took effect this year.
In contrast, there has been a slight decline in child day care. As of the reporting date, there were 218 active child day care providers caring for 742 children.
Childcare planning must become increasingly flexible
Overall, the current figures show that while declining birth rates are slowing further expansion for younger children, the demand for childcare services for elementary school children is rising significantly. At the same time, trends vary considerably from city to city and from municipality to municipality. For the first time, some municipalities are even planning to reduce the number of spots or close groups by 2027. Child care planning must therefore respond with increasing flexibility to the respective demographic trends.
