Hi,

I have a 2 year old daughter and am having trouble finding a playgroup for her in the city. I am a qualified and experienced teacher and am interested in starting my own playgroup (Mon through Fri, 2.5 hrs per day). I am looking for someone who would be interested in a partnership in this venture.

The main concept of the playgroup would be to provide a more structured learning environment covering all the areas of development for pre-kindergarten children (1.5 - 4 years old). There seems to be a distinct lack of this kind of playgroup in town, or the existing ones have prohibitively long waiting lists.

Would anyone be interested in partnering up with me? Or, if you know of someone who might be interested, please pass this information on.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you,

Ela

One quick piece of advice: make sure you do your homework regarding permit requirements, costs (salaries, rent etc, etc).

Hi

Are you still in the process of creating something ? Where would it be ? I have two kids and I am very interested in what you want to do.
Cheers,
Gabrielle

gabclout are you interested in sending your children or helping to set up a playgroup?

Hello,

I would love to help you start up your playgroup in Zurich. I have been looking at starting my own but near Lausanne. So don't hesitate to contact me if you want to swap notes - please PM

Good luck and perhaps bis bald

Elise

hello
i am interested in this too..our daughter is 18 months and i am going slightly mad being a hausfrau..need a project. I don't really have teaching/prof childcare experience but was a lawyer for over 10 years so love a bit of regulation and red tape..
Please feel free to pm with more details.
MrsM

Hi guys,

I have heard from a friend who works in a playgroup that there must be no more than 20 hours or so a week or legally it is a creche which then is another story and requires much legislation. Also the playtimes must not be a too early start in the morning as it is a playgroup and not a creche for working parents-mustnt be viewed as a creche or else the regulations are quite strict. I do not think it involves too much paperwork legally but I think you need to be registered with a body. Good Luck

There's also more regulations involved if you have more than 5 children per class. There are also extra insurance if you let the children go outside.

When we started ours (in AG) we had a lot of paperwork to do at the local Gemeinde (your business plan should be a nice thick document ) and then we had a visit from the local building assoc. with a rep. from the fire department to make sure our space fit the criteria for hosting children. The guy from the local fire department then said that since we were on the first floor (and not the ground floor) this would require a visit from the Kantonal fire department! Luckily, we had a Swiss man with us and he chummed up to them and so they settled everything with a phone call instead of an official visit.

There's a lot to consider.

Just wondering how this venture is going? I have just relocated to zurich and looking to get involved with project similar to this. I worked as a TA, nanny and music teacher back in london and would love to maybe contribute something to the music side of things? Please PM me if I can be of any use.
Thanks

Hi there,

I have a 15 months old boy and would like him to join an English play group. If any of you ladies would like to start a once a week one I know someone who can offer a place in Meilen and Id be interested to help. Cheers

Hi,

The playgroup is actually up and running since April 2009 and is going really well. Have a look at our website (www.thehappynest.ch).

We are actually looking for a teacher's assistant to work 2-3 times a week. Please PM me if you are interested.

Thanks,

Ela

HI Ela,

I was sent your thread from my mother in law as some inspiration as I would also like to start a playgroup here where I live near Zurich. I am american and now ch with two kids one going to Kindergarden soon and the other 18 months.
I have thought about it and researched into the law and requirements so am up to date with that, and it would be great to get started... I just was wondering if you can give me some tips and and to answer a question for me... how is it with finding a location?
I checked out your website and found it great and intriguing...
Looking forward to some tips hopefully on how to get started!

And a message as well to others out there reading this!
IF anyone also wants to partner up I live in Ottenbach near Affoltern am Albis and would like to open one in this area of Zurich!

Thanks for any help anyone can give!

Thought I would join in this thread rather than start a new one.

I'm looking to start a bilingual playgroup once a week around the Kilchberg - Horgen area. I already have someone who is interested in helping me and we are both qualified teachers. I have read through the thread already but it seems to apply more to everyday groups, I only plan to have it once a week for no more than 3 hours.

I have had a look at various threads and the information from Zurich council (there was a link on one thread) and from what I can see I would not need to do much paperwork however I suspect I've missed something!

Can anyone give me any information or a link on how to go about registering if this goes ahead. Any leads on a suitable venue would also be much appreciated (one room with a table and ideally some toys to use).

Many thanks

Dear Ela,

I used to run lots of classes and play groups for children in English and would love to continue here. I know nothing about the Swiss law at the moment but can help you a lot with preparation, providing ideas and activities and running the meetings as well. Please PM m and if your offer is still available and you need someone to work with I will be happy to meet up in Zurich to talk about your plans and see if I can be of any help.
Iza

Hi Isabella, Ela is no longer involved in the Playgroup and it's been running for 3 years in April. If you'd like to come for a visit to see what I'm doing you'd be very welcome. Just let me get opened again and the kids settled back in after the Xmas hols.

Lynn

Oh it's you! I feel flattered

I would be interested in joining in to observe and see how much it differs from what I used to do before and if I can contribute something to this Playgroup. Let me know when you are ready and I will be there.

Lynn,


http://www.thehappynest.ch/

If this is the place you are talking about then you already have my CV in you mailbox.

Let me know if this experience is of any use and get back to me with your ideas. Thanks

Iza