Hello,

My sister is possibly moving to Zurich but it all depends on childcare arrangements.
She has a 1 and a half year old baby girl and I wondered if anyone could tell me about child care options available before school age.
Are there any subsidised by the cantons? Or is the only option, private nurseries, which i am sure are good but also expensive. She is a single mother so would have to work.

Many thanks in advance

I thimk you are going to have to learn to use the search function on here. I know it isn't always very successful but posting questions all over the forum without checking what info is already posted is not always the best way to learn to find ones way around.

Check out stickies and other posts on tax, childcare, transport etc, even if you have to spend a bit of time digging, and you'll find your questions have been covered before.

Thanks again for your great advice.
I have been using the search tool and did not find a satisfactory answer to my question.
And as for posting numerous questions at once, is that not allowed?!
I had a few saved up!!!

There are some nurseries subsidised by the Gemeinde (local council) and some of these are excellent and, IMO, better than a lot of the private ones.

However, the subsidies are normally means-tested so if you and/or your partner earn too much, you'll pay full amount.

Places are limited as well.

Start here:

LOOK HERE FIRST for Childcare/Schooling / Family Info / Help Sites

If she has a specific job/employer in mind, then they may have childcare that they offer as part of the package.

My advice, however, would be as a single parent, it will be extremely difficult to be away from family support - if you use group care, then if your child is sick, you must take time off work. The employer may or not pay for absences when a child is sick, they will certainly pressure your sister about being at work every day, and it's very stressful for everyone.

However, if she is moving to Zurich where she will have family/friends to help out, then it may be possible to hold down a job and have a child in group care.