Skip to content
Skip to article content

Family guides

Winter school holidays 2027 in Switzerland: dates and childcare

Dates by canton, early registration deadlines and a clear plan for childcare during the winter school holidays.

Helpore editorial team · Sources checked on

Start with your child’s school calendar. In several cantons, the municipality or school sets the winter holiday dates. Childcare registration can close as early as autumn. Check the holiday week first, then the childcare hours and registration deadline.

When is your child’s winter school break?

This overview covers every canton and follows official compulsory-school calendars. Some sources list school days only; others include weekends. Local exceptions appear beside each canton. Confirm the dates with your child’s school before arranging childcare.

Cantons shown: 26

Winter school holidays 2027 by canton: official dates and local notes
CantonHoliday dates and local notes
AargauCheck with the municipality

The municipality sets the winter holiday dates.

Official source [47]
Appenzell Innerrhoden5 to 14 February; Oberegg: 30 January to 7 February

Oberegg has its own calendar. Official starts are Friday and Saturday respectively.

Official source [3]
Appenzell AusserrhodenCheck with the municipality

Two holiday weeks are set by the municipality.

Official source [4]
BernCheck with the municipality; city of Bern: 6 to 14 February

German-speaking area: the week can be chosen between calendar weeks 2 and 14. The French-speaking area has its own calendar.

Official source [5]Official source [6]
Basel-Landschaft6 to 21 February

Holidays start on 6 February; lessons resume on 22 February. Weekends included.

Official source [7]
Basel-Stadt6 to 21 February (carnival and winter holidays)

Carnival and winter holidays, including weekends.

Official source [8]
Fribourg8 to 12 February; Kerzers: 22 to 26 February

School days, Monday to Friday. The general calendar and Murten have the same dates; Kerzers is separate.

Official source [9]
Geneva15 to 19 February (Monday to Friday)

School days, Monday to Friday. Cantonal dates.

Official source [10]
Glarus30 January to 7 February (winter holidays)

Cantonal dates.

Official source [11]
GraubündenVaries by school authority

27 February to 7 March, 6 to 14 February, 20 to 28 February or 6 to 14 March. Check your own school calendar.

Official source [12]
Jura15 to 19 February (Monday to Friday)

School days, Monday to Friday. Public schools.

Official source [13]
Lucerne30 January to 14 February

Carnival holidays. Municipalities may split the two weeks into a carnival week and a winter sports week.

Official source [14]Official source [15]
Neuchâtel1 to 5 March

School days, Monday to Friday. Compulsory schools.

Official source [16]
Nidwalden30 January to 14 February

Carnival holidays. Stans school publishes the cantonal calendar. Weekends included.

Official source [17]
Obwalden30 January to 14 February (carnival holidays); Engelberg: 4 to 14 February

Engelberg has separate dates.

Official source [18]
St. GallenCheck with the municipality; city of St. Gallen: 31 January to 7 February

The school authority sets the winter break. The listed dates apply to the city only.

Official source [19]Official source [20]
SchaffhausenCity of Schaffhausen: 30 January to 14 February

City school calendar. For other municipalities, check with the relevant school authority.

Official source [21]
SolothurnVaries by school authority: 8 to 19 February or 8 to 12 February

School days, Monday to Friday. Erlinsbach SO: 25 January to 5 February. Check the binding school calendar.

Official source [22]
SchwyzUsually 1 to 5 March; Höfe, March and Küssnacht: 1 to 12 March

School days, Monday to Friday. Indicative overview; the local school council sets binding dates.

Official source [23]
Thurgau1 to 7 February; VSG Neunforn: 22 February to 7 March

Official dates run Monday to Sunday. Neunforn has a different calendar.

Official source [24]
Ticino6 to 14 February (carnival holidays)

Cantonal dates.

Official source [25]
Uri27 February to 7 March

Cantonal framework calendar, including weekends. Check additional carnival days separately.

Official source [26]
Vaud6 to 14 February (Relâches)

Cantonal dates.

Official source [27]
ValaisCheck the region and municipality

Upper Valais and the French-speaking area have different calendars. Use your own school’s calendar.

Official source [28]
Zug6 to 21 February

Uniform for public compulsory schools, including weekends.

Official source [29]
ZurichCheck with the municipality; city of Zurich: 15 to 26 February

Compulsory schools set two weeks individually. City dates are school days, Monday to Friday. Upper-secondary schools may differ.

Official source [30]Official source [31]

Childcare deadlines to plan around

Selected municipal programmes for the winter holidays. School holiday dates and childcare hours may differ. Check eligibility, opening hours, the current deadline and available places directly with the provider. A missed deadline does not mean every other option is full.

Register by 20 November 2026

City of Winterthur

8 to 19 February 2027

For children living in Winterthur and attending a public school, from kindergarten to grade 6. Monday to Friday, 7 am to 6 pm. One or more full days. Free cancellation until 5 January 2027. Contact Maurer or Michael school directly.

Official source [33]

Register by 15 December 2026

City of Bern

8 to 12 February 2027

February holiday week, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 6 pm. For children resident in Bern, from kindergarten entry to grade 9. Eligible city residents registered on time are entitled to a place.

Official source [6]Official source [35]

School care registration: 7 December 2026 to 3 January 2027

Basel-Stadt

15 and 17 February 2027, 8 am to noon

School holiday care offers only two mornings during this break. For children in state kindergartens and primary schools in the city of Basel. Separate day programmes: 8 to 19 February; registration opens on 12 October 2026 with each provider. Check their individual deadlines and available places.

Official source [36]

Allenmoos: register by 17 January 2027

City of Zurich, Allenmoos example

15 to 26 February 2027

This deadline applies to Allenmoos school. Check the registration deadline and childcare hours for your own school.

Official source [31]Official source [34]

What fits the time you need to cover?

Write down the days and hours still uncovered for each child. Then compare the actual childcare hours.

One or two full weeks

Check holiday childcare, day programmes and camps. See whether arrival, collection and lunch fit your working day.

Siblings with different holiday weeks

Plan separately for each child. Care at home can accommodate different routines in one place; a combination of arrangements may also work.

Individual days or hours

Ask your personal network or local providers about a suitable arrangement. Keep school collection and additional household tasks clearly separate.

Childcare on HelporeGuide to childcare

Employing a nanny for the winter holidays

Paid childcare in your home is domestic work. Your household is generally the employer. Even a short arrangement needs clear agreement on pay, tasks and insurance.

Registration and contributions

Domestic work is generally subject to social insurance contributions from the first franc. Exceptions apply to young carers. Your compensation office can confirm the rules for the year of work.

Official source [38]Official source [39]

Accident insurance

Before the first day, clarify the required cover for occupational accidents and, where applicable, non-occupational accidents. Working hours and any exceptions matter.

Official source [38]Official source [39]

Pay and holidays

Check the minimum wages applicable to the workplace, duties and working hours. Employees on hourly pay are also entitled to paid leave. Ongoing holiday-pay compensation is possible for irregular part-time work under specific conditions and must appear separately in the contract and on every payslip.

Official source [42]Official source [48]

These sources describe the rules in force when checked. Before work in 2027, confirm the applicable rates and exceptions with the responsible authority.

Before the first day of care

  1. Confirm the school holidays for each child directly with their school.
  2. Write down the date, start and finish times and childcare address.
  3. Agree the number and ages of children, meals, allergies and arrangements for medication.
  4. Record permitted outings, authorised collectors and reachable emergency contacts.
  5. Agree tasks, gross pay and hours in writing. Clarify registration and insurance before work starts.

Already employing someone?

Helpore Admin Light and Helpore Admin support the administration for a Helper you already employ. Choose the level that fits your household. Your household remains the employer.

Helpers pay no fees to Helpore.

Helpore Admin Light

Calculations, payslips and registration documents. You submit the documents and pay wages and contributions yourself.

Explore Admin Light

Helpore Admin

An employment contract, registration, monthly payroll and contributions with your signed authorisation.

Explore Admin

Flex bookings are not yet available. The waitlist signs you up for opening updates; it does not reserve childcare.

Join the Flex waitlistCurrent subscriptions and prices

Frequently asked questions

When are the winter school holidays 2027 in my canton?

Dates vary by canton, region and school. The overview above covers all 26 cantons with official dates and local exceptions. Confirm your child’s holidays directly with their school.

When are the winter school holidays 2027 in canton Zurich?

Compulsory schools set their own two-week winter break. The city of Zurich has published 15 to 26 February 2027. Those dates do not automatically apply across the canton.

When must I register my child in Winterthur?

For holiday childcare from 8 to 19 February 2027, Winterthur lists 20 November 2026 as the registration deadline. Cancellation is free until 5 January 2027. Check the latest information directly with the city. The programme is for children living in Winterthur and attending a public school, from kindergarten to grade 6.

What are the dates for the city of Bern’s February childcare?

The programme runs from 8 to 12 February 2027. The published registration deadline is 15 December 2026. Check the municipal programme’s eligibility rules for your child. The programme is for children resident in Bern, from kindergarten entry to grade 9.

Does Basel-Stadt offer a full week of school holiday childcare?

School-based holiday care is published for 15 and 17 February 2027, from 8 am to noon. It does not cover a full week. Check the separately organised day programmes and their hours.

Can I employ a nanny just for the winter holidays?

Yes, a short employment arrangement is possible. Paid care in your home is generally domestic work. Clarify registration, accident insurance, pay and tasks before the first day. Helpore Flex is not yet available for bookings.

What minimum wage must I pay a nanny in 2027?

Check the minimum wages applicable to the workplace, duties and working hours. Qualifications and any exceptions also matter. Confirm the official rules and rates for 2027 before agreeing pay.

Must holiday pay always be paid as an hourly supplement?

No. Employees on hourly pay are also entitled to paid leave. Ongoing holiday-pay compensation is possible for irregular part-time work under specific conditions. It must appear separately in the contract and on every payslip.

Can I book Helpore Flex for the winter school holidays 2027?

Flex bookings are not yet available. You can join the waitlist for opening updates. If you already employ a Helper, compare Helpore Admin Light and Helpore Admin for the administration. Your household remains the employer.

Sources and school calendars

Official sources for holidays, childcare programmes and domestic employment. Your child’s school calendar determines their dates; the provider confirms available childcare places.