Schools in Basel have 14 weeks of annual holidays (excluding Swiss national holidays), which can be challenging for working parents. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the childcare options during school holidays in Basel.
You can find several holiday camp providers such as the Braswell Arts Center, InterSoccer, or Overground in our latest magazine, the Summit Family Guide – Basel, here.
Holiday programs in local schools
In Basel-Stadt, there are several schools that offer on-site holiday programs (Ferienbetreuung an Schulen) for children of all ages. These fun programs offer sports, arts, activities, and theme-based projects for all ages, and children can join these programs once or several days a week. Fees are income-dependent, with families not eligible for reductions paying around CHF 60 per day.
You can find more information about on-site holiday programs here: Basel-Stadt official website.
Holiday programs with private organizations
Additionally, private organizations offer weeklong themed programs (Tagesferien) during holidays at around 20 locations in Basel, except for the week between Christmas and New Year. These programs run from 8.00 to 18.00 and cost CHF 200 per week for families not eligible for reductions.
For more information about holiday programs in Basel-Stadt, visit:
Education Department Basel-Stadt
or
The Basel-Stadt website and search for Ferienbetreuung
Sports Camps in Basel
The Basel-Stadt Sports Department (Sportamt), along with experienced private providers, organizes sports camps for children from the age of five. Examples are dance, circus, handball, horse-riding, and BMX.
For more information about sports programs in Basel-stadt, click here to see the calendar of the Education Department Basel-Stadt.
Private camps in Basel
Other private organizations that offer camps (tech, art, soccer, etc.) charge up to CHF 800 per week. Our favorite camps in Basel are:
- Minecraft, STEM, and Robotics Camp at Techlab
- Ninja Warrior and Parcours camp at Overground
- Multi-Arts Programs at Braswell
Information about camps
Your child will receive information about all available Basel-Stadt holiday programs at school.
For information about private camps, make sure to sign up for the provider’s newsletter or follow them on social media.
Programs fill up quickly, so we recommend putting the registration dates on your calendar.
All municipalities in Basel-Landschaft offer similar programs, and more information is provided by the school or municipality.
Holiday programs in private and international schools
Private and international schools in the Basel region have their own well-established on- and off-site holiday camps during school holidays. These provide a great solution for working parents and allow children to stay in their familiar environment with their friends and classmates.
Some families may find that the convenience of these established holiday programs offsets the higher tuition costs associated with private or international schooling.
Do you have questions about childcare during the holidays?
If you’re relocating to Basel and have questions about childcare during school holidays in Basel, contact us, or read our latest magazine that is packed with information and tips about education and family life in Basel and Switzerland – the Summit Family Guide, out now.
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