This is my friends webgroup for english speaking parents with twins(multiples) ins switzerland, she is a regular contributor to the New Stork Times in regards to all kinds 'twin'

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SwissTwinConnection/

There you might also find second hand gear such as strollers etc.

The editor of the NST has with the help of many Zurich based people published a book called

In and around Zurich with Kids

http://www.thestork.ch/html/guide.html

In this book you will find almost everything that you possibly would like to know.

You can order it from the NSt website but if you want to flick through before shopping, it's on sale at Orell Füssli in Zürich

Everyone with childcare questions seems to live in Zurich!!!!
Would like any feed back on a newbie coming to Geneva in AprilWith a very
excited 4 year old girl(she cant wait to see snow!)
So if anyone can help with any links....THANK YOU.

Hello again, haven't been here for long time.
First of all I wish to express my regrets for Mark's dissapearance. I wish someone could do something for his relatives and friends to ease their soul pain.

If it is possible I would be greatfull to similar informations but for Basel.

Thank you in advance.

Try:

http://www.gymboree.ch/ Gymboree has activities for very young children.
Gymboree Play & Music Bern
Laupenstrasse 5a
3008 Bern
Tel: 031 352-0727
Fax: 031 352-0728
info.bern@gymboree.ch

There is also the English Speaking Playgroup in Bern but I believe they only take children from the age of 3 onwards.

This site might be useful to newbies or people moving areas etc

http://www.doctor.ch/register/

Hi There,

I wish to let you know that if you have no idea where to bring your kids here is a website you might want to browse through - http://www.fun4kidz.ch/indexenglish.htm

Have Fun

p.s: if you are looking for a montessori (real one) smack in the middle of nature (small hilltop with a small forest surrounding it) and you live near Pfaffikon SZ please check out villamonte.ch. Lady in charge of Kindergarten and grippe is British. =) And prices are REASONABLE.

http://momstotszurich.blogspot.com/

This is a good website for ideas of places to go with toddlers in and around Zurich.

Here are some links for the Italian-speaking Switzerland:

Yahoo groups for Expat Moms in Ticino


Day Care and Schools

List of authorized daycare providers 0-3 years and detailed info of each individual care
childminders and home childcarers association

Children from 3-5 years attend ¨Scuola dell' Infanzia¨ aka ¨asilo¨ or ¨SI- Every council has it's own asilo and it's free of charge. If they provide lunch you pay a small contribution. The year the child turns 6 years he/she can start elementary school (Scuola Elementare¨- SE) which lasts 5 years - Most council have their own SE. Elementary school is followed by ¨Scuola Media¨ (Middle school) After the obligatory Middle School the students can continue with ¨Liceo¨ or vocational/technical schools


Ticino for Children
Ticino Junior
ticinoperbambini.ch


______________________________
Web Guide for Expats in Ticino www.lacastagna.ch

Meet other local parents in Zurich area

The link in this post has a great list of other links.
Do take the trouble to have a quick look. It might be just what you are looking for if you are trying to make contact with other Mums and/or Dads.

This Thread in Family Matters/Health Forum contains a PDF with

Info for families in the Riviera region

Lake Geneva - Vevey area.

You might also want to take a First Aid on Children course, either for yourself or for your new nanny or new babysitter.

There is a small health coaching company who offers a large variety of English first aid courses. They are called HEALTHY AND SAFE AWAY FROM HOME, you can find more information on their website, www.healthyandsafe.biz (they also offer the first aid course for the Swiss driving license).

They will also come to your own home as long as you can organise a group of at least six people. Otherwise, their courses are usually held in either Langnau am Albis, 15 min. from Zug or Zurich or in cooperation with the New Stork Times, an English parenting magazine here in Switzerland (www.thestork.ch)

FIRST AID ON CHILDREN

Another good address is this small first aid and health coaching company HEALTHY AND SAFE AWAY FROM HOME. It's run by a medical doctor and she integrates some alternative methods into her courses (herbal and home remedies mostly).

She's the person offering First Aid courses through the New Stork Times, see earlier post.

See www.healthyandsafe.biz for more information or send her an email info@healthyandsafe.biz. Most of her courses are located near Adliswil/Thalwil but she also comes to your own home and teaches her courses on site, usually at no extra cost.