I have started to put together a list of various useful details to help mums/families that are new to CH and (unfortunately only) the Zurich area (as thats where I know).
I will add more as & when I can...
Useful links for those with babies/toddlers/children: Childrens Hospital Zurich Address: Kinderspital Zürich
Universitäts-Kinderklinik
Steinwiesstrasse 75
8032 Zürich Tel: 044 266 71 11 Website: http://www.kispi.unizh.ch/ Other: Medical information and consultation for parents Telefon: 0900 266 711 (CHF 3.23 pro Minute) If you are unsure whether to take your child to the hospital then this is the best number to call. And you can ask for someone who speaks English. Assistance with Breast Feeding (German Name = Still Beratung) La Leche League (free phone assistance) Joanna Koch Kilchberg 8802 Zurich Tel: 044 715 1946 Breast Feeding Consultation List of advisors, area & language spoken. http://www.stillberatung.ch/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemi d=39 Publications for English Speaking Parents New Stork Times http://www.thestork.ch/nst/ Mothering Matters Susan Straubinger, 044 772 36 55 www.mmjournal.com Child Care Options: Day Care/Play Groups: Talk to your local Gemeinder/Kreisburo for a list of Play Group (Kinder Krippes) and also registered babysitters for your area. Day Family Care/Tages Familien This is a government assisted organisation that assists families find placements for babies/children within local families within their own homes & to you specification (non-smoker, no animals etc). If you prefer a more personalised care for your little one then I can recommend this option. http://www.tagesfamilien.ch (site is in French & German) If you are looking for a babysitter, or looking to work as one:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/babysitters_in_switzerland/ Au Pairs in Switzerland:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aupairs_in_switzerland/ Families Living in the Zurich Area
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Families-in-Zurich/ Other www.montessori-zuerichsee.ch The following link already has many useful links etc. so instead of re-doing work that has already been done: http://www.xpatxchange.ch/index.php?option=content&task=category§ionid=8 &id=24&Itemid=41 Other General Useful Sites if new to CH www.swissinfo.org statistics, info on what’s happening in CH etc, also in various languages www.directories.ch telephone directory also in English www.search.ch map.search.ch http://www.zuerich.com In English – what’s on in & around ZRH www.find&dine.ch www.myswitzerland.com www.cityguide.ch www.freetranslation.com www.comparis.ch a comparison site for various services e.g. health insurance, credit cards etc. http://www.singandsign.ch/ For babies If I’m not sure on health symptoms etc. I use http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Smoking Free Restaurants The site below lists various non smoking restaurants http://www.zuerich.com/restaurants/search/category/search.html?submit&selectArt=/Restaurants/Nichtraucher/ www.starbucks.ch