In Switzerland, education is compulsory for all children starting from kindergarten or primary school, depending on their age and location. Parents must register their children well in advance, as deadlines vary by canton. Missing these deadlines can lead to complications, particularly in high-demand areas.

For working parents, childcare spaces are often limited, making early registration crucial. In Zurich, applications for after-school programs, lunch supervision, and extracurricular activities must typically be submitted by mid-January, with some deadlines as early as December.

What makes Switzerland unique is its canton-specific approach: Each canton sets its own rules for school start dates, enrollment deadlines, and age cutoffs. For example, some cantons require children to be 4 years old by July 31, while others extend the cutoff to September 30.