Update of 25 September 2026: booking a Helper by the hour through Helpore Flex opens once Helpore holds its Swiss licences, and if you already employ someone at home, Helpore Admin Light and Helpore Admin are open today.
The Swiss school summer holidays run for roughly five to six weeks in July and August, and the exact dates change by canton. For working parents that is a long stretch to cover, and good childcare gets booked early. This 2026 guide walks through the options, explains why a declared nanny matters, sets out what a nanny or babysitter costs, and shows how to book a trusted declared nanny near you on Helpore typically from CHF 26 an hour, with AHV and accident cover handled.
If someone already looks after your children, Helpore Admin Light and Helpore Admin are open today, and your household is the employer.
Planning for the next school break? See the 2026 autumn holiday dates and last-minute childcare planner.
What summer childcare options exist
There is no single right answer, and many families mix and match across the summer. The main options are:
- Holiday day camps and programmes. Municipal and private camps, plus sports and language camps, cover fixed weeks and suit school age children who enjoy a group. Popular weeks fill up fast, so book in spring where you can.
- An au pair. Live in help can work for a whole summer, but it means hosting someone in your home and following au pair rules on hours and pay.
- A nanny or babysitter at home. A nanny who comes to you gives flexible hours and one to one care, which works well for younger children, mixed ages, or irregular working days. You choose the person and the schedule.
- Family and informal help. Grandparents and friends are a lifeline for many households, though they rarely cover the whole holiday.
A home nanny is often the most flexible piece of the puzzle, especially for the weeks that camps do not cover. The rest of this guide focuses on booking one properly.
Plan your summer childcare budget
Every family is different, so use the planner below to estimate your summer cost. Set your hours, the number of holiday weeks, and a realistic nanny rate, then treat the numbers as a starting point rather than a fixed quote.
Summer childcare cost planner
Plan your summer childcare budget
Set the hours you need, how many holiday weeks to cover, and a realistic nanny rate to see your estimated summer cost. Once Helpore Flex opens, you book a declared Helper for childcare at their own rate, with the AHV administration done.
Editable. A declared nanny in Switzerland typically charges CHF 26 to 45 per hour.
Your estimate
Estimated wages for the summer
CHF 3750
True all-in declared cost
CHF 4090
wages CHF 3750 + employer AHV/ALV share ~CHF 240 + accident cover ~CHF 100 = CHF 4090 all in.
Once Helpore Flex opens, you book a declared Helper for childcare at their own rate, with the AHV and accident cover administration done, anywhere in Switzerland.
This is a rough estimate for 2026, not a quote. Social contributions and accident cover are approximate and split between employer and employee.
Join the waitlistWhy declared and legal childcare matters
Hiring a nanny for the summer makes you an employer, even for a few weeks. Doing it properly is not just paperwork, it protects everyone:
- AHV/AVS from the first franc. Childcare in your home is domestic work, so old age insurance contributions are due from the very first franc, with no lower threshold.
- Mandatory accident cover. Accident insurance is required for domestic staff and costs around CHF 100 a year. If your nanny is hurt while caring for your children, cover matters.
- A real contract. A written agreement on hours, rate, holiday and notice avoids misunderstandings and gives both sides certainty.
- Possible tax relief. When childcare is declared, part of the cost can often be deducted from your taxes. See our guide on household help and childcare tax deductions.
Undeclared cash care can look simpler, but it leaves you exposed as the employer and offers no protection if there is an accident. We cover the risks in detail in cash in hand versus compliant work.
What a nanny or babysitter costs in 2026
The honest answer depends on the nanny's experience and how you book. Here is how the main routes compare in 2026:
| How you book | Typical 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| Agency or household platform (all-in) | A higher all-in hourly rate that bundles the agency margin, so less reaches the nanny |
| Payroll service only | Handles the admin, but you still find, manage and pay the nanny yourself |
| Declared nanny on Helpore | Typically from CHF 26 per hour, set by the nanny, often CHF 30 to 45 for experienced nannies, with AHV handled |
On top of the wage, the household pays the employer share of social contributions (roughly the employer half of AHV/IV/EO 10.6 per cent plus ALV 2.2 per cent of gross pay) and about CHF 100 a year for accident cover. That is the true all-in declared cost, and the planner above works it out for you. For a wider look at rates, see how much a cleaner or nanny costs in Switzerland.
How to find a trusted declared nanny near you
Booking someone you trust is the whole point, so take it step by step:
- Shortlist people who fit. Look for experience with your children's ages, the languages you need, and references from other families.
- Meet before you commit. Share your children's ages, routines and any special needs, and arrange a short call or meeting.
- Agree the weeks, hours and wage in writing. Your household is the employer, so a written agreement gives both sides certainty.
- Declare the work. AHV/AVS contributions and accident insurance apply to a nanny in your home too, as explained above.
Booking a week or two ahead of your first holiday week gives you the widest choice, and popular nannies go early.
Safety and trust basics
A few simple checks go a long way:
- Read reviews and verify experience. Look for families with similar aged children and ask about first aid training.
- Meet before you book. A short call or trial afternoon tells you a lot about fit.
- Agree the essentials in writing. Hours, rate, tasks, and what to do in an emergency, including your contact details and any allergies.
- Keep it declared. A real contract and accident cover protect your nanny and your family alike.
For nannies: summer is peak season
Summer is one of the busiest and best paid times of the year for nannies, because families need reliable cover for weeks at a time. On Helpore you set your own rate, choose the families and hours that suit you, and every hour is declared with AHV/AVS and accident cover, so the work counts toward your pension. If you are weighing up what to ask for, our guide on how much to charge as a cleaner or nanny walks through it, and you can create a free Helper profile to start picking up summer bookings.
What you can do on Helpore today
- Compare Helper profiles. Open find a nanny to see rates, experience and languages in your area.
- Join the waitlist. Booking a Helper by the hour opens with Helpore Flex once Helpore holds its Swiss licences. Join the waitlist and get one email the day it opens.
- Already employ someone at home? Helpore Admin Light and Helpore Admin are open today, and your household is the employer.
- Helpore Admin Light for a person you already employ
- Helpore Admin
- Create a free client account
- Hiring home help legally in 2026: the full checklist
Frequently asked questions
What are my summer holiday childcare options in Switzerland?
The main options are holiday day camps, sports and language camps, an au pair, and a nanny or babysitter at home. Camps suit fixed weeks and school age children, while a home nanny gives flexible hours and one to one care. Many families combine both.
Why does a declared nanny matter?
A declared nanny means AHV/AVS is paid, accident insurance is in place, and there is a real contract. That protects the nanny, protects you as the employer, and can make part of your childcare costs tax deductible.
How much does a nanny or babysitter cost in Switzerland in 2026?
Declared nanny rates on Helpore start at CHF 26 per hour and often sit around CHF 30 to 45 for experienced nannies. On top of the wage you pay the employer share of social contributions and about CHF 100 a year for accident cover.
How do I find and book a trusted declared nanny near me?
Search declared Helpers by area and date on Helpore, compare rates, experience, languages and reviews, then send a booking request. The contract, AHV/AVS registration, accident insurance and payroll are handled for you.
Do I have to pay AHV for a summer nanny?
Yes. Childcare in your home is domestic work, so AHV/AVS is due from the first franc and accident insurance is mandatory. On Helpore this is handled for you, so even a few summer weeks are fully declared.
Official sources
- AHV/AVS domestic work leaflet 2.06 (2026): ahv-iv.ch/p/2.06.e
- Federal standard employment contracts (NAV) overview: seco.admin.ch