We study the effect of childcare on child gaps in female and male earnings. Using Swiss administrative data and exploiting the staggered opening of childcare facilities across municipalities in the canton of Bern, we find that the presence of childcare facilities in the year of birth of the first child decreases the gender earnings gap by about one tenth. In line with economic intuition, the availability of childcare increases maternal earnings in low-income families who are eligible for subsidies. We do not find an increase in the labor market attachment of mothers in higher income families.