Having decided to bite the bullet and put our children in local education we are now faced with the joys of waiting lists in our close to home Kita (I believe this is what our local nursery is called).

This leaves us with a big decision - what do we do till we get the 3 year old into some form of activity where he is well looked after but he also can socialise with like minded small-full-of-energy-people.


One option is an Au Pair - can be tricky to get someone that has the right experience to entertain a little one all day.

The other option is a nanny - with advantages but also what will she do when the little one's in nursery finally? Does anyone know what would be a fair salary for a filipina nanny?

What about play groups? or just activities like Gymborree, Crescendo, that kind of thing?

Any and all suggestions are welcome

Thanks.

How about a private kita? They'll look after your tot for up to 12 hours a day, usually provide a structured program of edutainment, and give him/her the chance to play with like-minded persons all day long. At around CHF2,000/month, it's a little cheaper than a nanny, and you can be reasonably sure that the teachers are professionally qualified.

Just don't tell them that you're waiting for a place at your local free kita, though; they like to take on long-term cash generators, I mean, kids.

Free Kita? Didn't even know there was such a thing!!! Wow!

We are considering (only because we just found out they don't have places till the summer) going on the waiting list for the private Kita ...

Must look into the state ones - any idea what age they start from?

All you ever wanted to know about childcare, pre-school, etc. in Switzerland.