[s3nnyy]

I think what you are talking about are "Kindergrippen" (when kids are 2-3 years old). Kindergardens are public and free.

This Kindergrippen-age is really the only moment when kids in Switzerland cost you significantly more than in the rest of Europe.

Think it this way: From the actual kindergarden age (4 years old?) you won't pay anymore. It's even free to send the kid to the best technical university in mainland Europe, which is supposed to be ETH (think MIT of Europe)

[koevet]

Yes, my mistake, I meant kindergrippe (I have actually used the right word in a previous comment).

In any case, kindergartens are not entirely free. If the kids have to stay after 12.00 it gets very expensive.