Bringing up Toddlers in Zürich

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Bringing up Toddlers in Zürich

From birth to young adulthood, this page contains useful information for parents and children in Zürich.

• For information specifically on the education system and schools see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Education & Schooling in Zürich, Switzerland

Birth

• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Having a Baby in Zürich

After the birth, mothers stay in the hospital or clinic for up to seven days, and once the mother and child return home, a nurse makes home visits to check on their health. Breastfeeding is actively encouraged in Switzerland and if necessary the nurse can offer advice or assistance with breastfeeding.

Insurance coverage is required by the time an infant is three months old so parents should contact their insurance company as soon as possible after the birth. Certain parents may qualify for a child allowance from their employer, so they must also be informed as soon as possible as well.

Adoption

Zürich and Lucerne have adoption offices which provide information on adoption and international adoption for potential parents.

• Schweizerische Fachstelle für Adoption
  At: Hofwiesenstrasse 3, Postfach 340, 8042 Zürich
  Tel: 044 360 80 90
  Fax: 044 360 80 99
  e-mail
  Website
• Zweigstelle Luzern, Schweizerische Fachstelle für Adoption
  At: Pilatusstrasse 18, 6000 Lucerne
  Tel: 041 210 59 10
  Fax: 041 210 59 11
  e-mail
  Website

Family Allowances

All salaried employees and the unemployed in Switzerland are entitled to family allowances, paid from the first month following the birth. The exact amount paid depends on the canton of residence. In some cantons, the self-employed are also entitled to an allowance. Some cantons also pay a birth or adoption allowance.

There are two types of family allowance:

• Child allowance, paid up to the age of 16, or up to 20 in the case of incapacity
• Education allowance for children aged 16 to 25 in full time education

Claims for family allowance in Switzerland are submitted to the employer. The unemployed must submit an application to their local AVS/AHV compensation fund.

• For a list of offices: Click here
• For further information on family allowances from the Federal Social Insurance Fund: Click here

Children's Health

Vaccination policy is decided at a cantonal level in Switzerland. Each individual canton determines which vaccinations are obligatory and some give them free of charge.

Vaccinations in the Swiss-German part of the country are done either in hospitals or at doctor's offices and paid for by medical insurance (Krankenkasse).

Recommended vaccinations in all cantons include Diphtheria (Diptherie), Tetanus (Starrkrampf), Poliomyelitis (Kinderlähmung), whooping cough (Pertusis), measles, mumps and German measles (Mumps, Masern und Röteln) and Haemophilus influenza (Hib).

The local or family doctor can advise on the recommended ages for these vaccinations.

Children's Hospitals and Emergencies

Most hospitals have a children's ward, but there are also hospitals in Zürich, Basel, Bern and Luzern devoted entirely to children and their ailments.

• See The AngloFILE directory for Hospitals & Health Centres
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Emergency Telephone Numbers in Zürich

Children's Road Safety

Children under the age of seven must be seated in the rear of the car and approved child seats are compulsory. Children aged seven to twelve must have seat belts and restraints adapted to their size whether travelling in the front or the back of the car. All passengers must wear seatbelts whatever their age.

Childcare & Nursery Education

Provision of childcare in Switzerland is managed almost completely by each individual canton. Small children can be looked after in a variety of ways: by childminders, in crèches, playgroups or day nurseries or private daycare "mothers" (Tagesmutter). The facilities are sometimes run by the communes and frequently by private organisations.

Information on the options is available from social services of the relevant commune (Sozialdienst).

Nurseries/Crèches

A crèche is a day care facility for the children of working parents and provides a pre-school educational programme. Part-time crèches are also available. In general they are open from 07:30-18:30 from Monday to Friday. The cost will depend on the parent's income.

Crèche placements are in high demand so it is best to book a place as early as possible. Children are usually accepted up to the age of four. There are a large number of German-speaking and bilingual private children's playgroups (Spielgruppen) in all major Swiss-German cities. 

• See The AngloFILE directory for Nursery Schools, Creche & Kindergarten

Kindergarten

One year's attendance in Kindergarten is compulsory in Swiss-German cantons, except in Basel, where two year's attendance is compulsory. Kindergartens take children from the age of four onwards, depending on class size, and are the responsibility of the school authorities (or the local administration) of the communes. 

Out and About with Toddlers

Throughout Switzerland there are a number of child-friendly parks and playgrounds. Local Tourist Offices will be able to provide information on facilities.

Some shopping centres offer babysitting services for small children and toddlers.

During school holidays and the summer months there are many temporary amusement parks and fairgrounds. Outdoor swimming pools often have separate pools for toddlers.

Mother & Toddler Groups

There are some informal mother and baby/toddler groups which meet regularly throughout German-speaking Switzerland.

• For a list of playgroups, see The AngloFILE directory for Playgroups & After School Activities

The Basel Childbirth Trust (BCT) is also a good source of information and has a list of mother and toddler groups in the Basel region.

• For a list of groups: Click here

Related Information

• Action Innocence: Seeks to protect children on the Internet (in German)

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