Hi all,

I am a working mum of two. I currently work 80%, Ive tried to reduce but work have said no. Right now they are in a kinderkrippe. I am wondering once they start in school how we will manage.
We do have a Hort option but I *think* they have to walk from the school to the Hort on their own. While its not very far ( and I know walking to school is part of the education system here) I dont like the thought of them making their own way to the Hort (how does that work ? If they dont show up who misses them?).

How do other mums manage once they start in school? We did have a childminder before but it was disasterous (she was sick way more often than the children, she needed time off after a break up, missed a flight back to CH and needed time off, late a lot) however even if we got a good childminder Im still concious that they are a "single point of failure" (ie if they suddenly need to leave we are totally exposed).

So how do people manage?
Please dont make this a debate about whether mums should work or not. Or if you wish to debate that please start (or revive) another thread.

Thanks in advance
IM

Our eldest is in a Hort. When he was at Kindergarten, he also went to the Hort. He always walked with other children.

If he didn't arrive at Hort then the Kindergarten and us were telephoned. Always. He really likes the Hort as he gets to play with his friends (after doing his homework).

I have to ask: what is a Hort?

I am thinking about finally increasing the family, but I am a little scared because I don't understand the school system here, which is making me panick a little bit, and I haven't found anyone I could ask advice from...

How did it go with the first 2 years, irish_marmot? I will definitely be a working mom, but since I have no family to leave children to, I am wondering what are the available options...

Thank you in advance

When my son is more than 15 mins late for Kindergarten, the teacher calls me on my phone to ask about him.

This morning, he was about 30 mins late and I hadn't noticed the missed call on my phone. When i dropped him off, she was in a bit of a panic, wondering whether he'd wandered off into the streets on his own!

Kash.

it's hugely difficult, especially if you have kids at different schools, like one at nursery, and one at primary school. In the UK, the only way my daughter can work is to have a full time nanny- which takes a big part of her salary. this is even more difficult in some parts of CH, where primary school timetable can change from day to day, and where there are generally no facilities for eating at school. I'm afraid the Swiss system is still stacked against mums (parents?) who want to work.

I've said it before on EF, I am surprised that parents to not organise themselves in different areas to find a suitable room with suitable facilities (village hall and the like, or seperate part of restaurant?) - and employ staff + take it in turn on a rosta basis- to make up for the inadequacies of the Swiss system. I'm sure it can be done with a bit of organisation and hard-work (to set up initially).

And that's where all the laws, rules and regulations set in - has to be a certain space, child friendly facilities, facilities for boys and girls seperate, insurance, child minder needs a certificate ....

Its basically after school care. It usually provided by the Gemeinde (though by far not all Gemeindes have Horts) and they provide a "mittagstisch" (lunch) and the children go there, do their homework and have play activities until the parents can pick them up. Its not everywhere, we are very lucky where we live as the krippe (creche), Hort and primary school are all relatively close by. If you are considering starting a family and are renting its worth your while to move somewhere that does provide good school support/facilities.

Not too bad at all Helm that is the good news. We started with a childminder which was disasterous we didnt want an aupair but actually paid a higher salary and interviewed swiss (anyone with a legal permit to work here so they predominantly turned out to be swiss) people for the job. We eventually got someone who we found impossible to fire due to the contract and swiss legal system that protects employees. There were also high hidden costs that as employer you pay - pension, AHV, etc. We then put the 2 of them in a creche and they love it and get on great. I cannot speak highly enough for what it has done for our older child (2) in regards to socializing her, getting her to eat , washing her teeth etc. To be honest it has been no harder or more expensive here than it would have been for me in Ireland or England. Now....when school starts it may be a different story.

While your idea is a good one and kudos for coming up with a proposed a solution - I dont believe it would be doable. Swiss regulations for childcare a very strict (ruling out many locations) and the hiring and management of employees is also complicated. Setting this up in itself would be a fulltime job.

The tagesmutter system however is something that does try to address the childcare problem that is usable.

The Hort will usually come and pick up the little ones from Kindergarten. The Hort will call you if your child doesn't show up - at least that's what my colleagues experience (open plan office).

Did you look at Tagesschule? They are usually open 7.30 am - 6pm and cost is based on salary, although anyone working an average paid job pays the max. Our son will do another year of kindergarten privately due to their opening hours (until 6.30)pm and we have chosen an primary school that has similar opening times with lunch time sorted out by them.

Thanks Tom,
Can I ask - did he have to walk with other children? By that I mean is it like going to and from school where walking (on your own) is strongly encouraged? It just feels really strange for me that they are out "walking the streets" while Im in an office.

LEO says after school care club - whatever that means

Thank you Irish_Marmot I guess I'll drop by my current Gemeinde and ask what are the current available services for children. We were thinking about moving somewhere else because of the future kids, but haven't really found a flat/gemeinde really children friendly