Vaud backs register of childcare workers barred from the profession

Vaud’s parliament has unanimously backed a motion to create a register of people banned from working in early childhood care, SRF reported. The proposal is intended to stop them evading a ban by changing employers or moving to another canton.

The motion, put forward by parliamentarian Yannick Maury, had the support of about 60 signatories from across the political spectrum. Vaud State Councillor Nuria Gorrite said the government supported it and argued that protections should cover all children, not only those in day care. The cantonal government has a year to present a proposal and prepare draft legislation.

A similar motion at federal level, submitted in June 2025, calls for a national blacklist to prevent sexual abuse in childcare outside the family. The Federal Council recommends rejecting it, saying a broader report on sexual abuse of minors, expected by the end of 2027, should be awaited. Vaud parliamentarian Joëlle Minacci has also urged the cantonal government to consider extending the proposal to childcare outside the family. Gorrite said a nationwide approach would be preferable because child sexual abuse does not stop at cantonal borders.

The debate followed the arrest in Saint-Sulpice, Vaud, of an educator suspected of inappropriately touching a young child. US authorities had alerted Swiss federal police to the educator’s suspected online activity. In early 2025, the North Vaud public prosecutor’s office decided not to proceed with the report, which was not investigated further. The child’s mother told RTS that a blacklist should be standard, adding that the case had traumatised the whole family.