Baby's day out: with a little one at home and no support from the extended family, pursuing a career or simply taking a break for some 'me-time' can be quite challenging. Thankfully, Switzerland has a system that takes care of your baby's needs while you are away.
| Auteur | Sethi, Aradhna |
| Fonction | Expat Advice |
If you've just had a baby and your maternity leave is coming to an end, or if you are new to Switzerland with a small child and are looking to start your job, the first thing you want to know about is childcare. Although finding childcare may be somewhat tougher in more remote areas, Swiss cities like Zurich, Bern and Geneva--to name just a few--have a fair offering of childcare services provided by the cantonal governments and privately.
Back home with baby
Once you are home with your baby or young child, head to the closest 'Mutter-und-Vater Beratung' (mother-and-father consulting centre). Here, not only are you provided with the basic guidance to bring up baby--little tricks on how to manage sleep, colic or eating problems--you are also encouraged to ask questions and voice concerns.
This is a wonderful starting point where you can ask for information on childcare services. The counsellor will be able to provide you with telephone numbers or addresses of the babysitters' association, 'Tagesmutterverein' (day-care mothers' association) and the 'kinderkrippe' (creche) in and around your area.
Babysitters
The babysitters' association may charge a minimal fee for a list of names, phone numbers and ages of babysitters in the area. These sitters are fairly young--between the ages of 13 and 17. However, they should all have received training at the Red Cross. These sitters charge approximately SFr 10 per hour (the charges may vary, but should not generally go beyond SFr 20 on an hourly basis), and generally look after your baby for up to three (in some cases four) hours.
Another source to look at while searching for babysitters is the Internet. Check out the expat connected information and discussion groups such as www.expat-moms-in Switzerland.ch, www.expats-in-switzerland.ch etc.
Day care mothers
Once you contact the 'Tagesmutterverein', you will receive a form that will ask you for basic information regarding the child (name, age, special needs, on what days the child will be left with the tagesmutter, why, etc.). Based on the information you give, the in-charge at the association will arrange a meeting with the relevant day-care mother to see if you, the baby and the caregiver get along and are suited to each other.
If yes, the deal is done. You leave your child with this lady and go out. At the end of each month, you get a bill from the 'verein' and you pay If you are not comfortable with this caregiver, the head of the association will...
Pour continuer la lecture
SOLLICITEZ VOTRE ESSAICOPYRIGHT GALE, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
