Neuchâtel to Adjust After-School Care Hours and Expand Capacity in 2026
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Changes to after-school reception facilities are planned for the August 2026 school year, impacting approximately 150 families in neuchâtel, Switzerland. the adjustments include modified operating hours and the creation of new childcare spaces.
Published december 9, 2025
Changes to Operating Hours
Starting in august 2026, after-school reception facilities will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This represents a shift from the current hours of 6:45 a.m.to 6:45 p.m. According to Nicole Baur, the municipal councilor leading the Family Dicastery, these changes will directly affect around fifty children.
Expansion of Childcare Capacity
To address existing demand,the Municipality plans to create 64 new childcare places,especially in Corcelles-Cormondrèche and Peseux. Councilor Baur stated that current capacity in these areas is insufficient to meet the needs of local families. This expansion is expected to benefit approximately one hundred families overall.
Budgetary implications
Nicole Baur emphasized that the changes represent a reallocation of resources, not a cost-cutting measure. The 2026 municipal budget includes an additional two million Swiss francs allocated to extra-family care, compared to the 2025 budget. Parents will receive detailed data about the changes during January 2026.
Legislative Discussion and Concerns
The proposed changes faced limited debate within the legislature.Socialist elected official Philippe Loup raised concerns about the potential impact on specific groups of parents, including single-parent families, commuters, and those working in essential services like healthcare, security, and emergency response. Loup highlighted that many professions require extended working hours, possibly creating challenges for parents relying on after-school care.
Loup also requested that the Municipal Council monitor the effects of the changes to determine whether adjustments are needed in 2027.
Closure of downtown Neuchâtel Daycare
In a separate development,the daycare center located in downtown Neuchâtel will cease operations next year.This facility currently provides a convenient option for parents to briefly leave their children while running errands or attending appointments.
