We are just about to move to Zug area and need a live-in nanny as our doesn't want to live in CH... I assume it will cost more then I am paying in the UK but I struggle to find any numbers! Please, could you share what you know? What is the usual going rate here? How long do nannies work (5 or 6 days) usually; how much holiday is usually offered, etc.

I would be looking for an English or Russian speaking nanny looking after two children (6 months and 2.5 years).

I would REALLY appreciate if you could share any experience and advice!

Thanks:-)

I forgot to add another question: if given the choice would you rather find a nanny while in the UK and bring her with you or start looking first after you move for a local nanny?


Oh, and are there any English speaking paly groups in Zug area? You know ones where you just walk in, pay a pound or two for a coffee and a friendly chat and your kids play with 50 other kids around?:-) I was thinking that if I brought a nanny from here she might feel quite isolated without any nanny-friends and opportunities to socialise during the day together with the kids

Try looking through this thread - There's a lot of useful info in it..

If you want an Au pair, basically a young girl without experience, you have to pay lodging, food, transport, German course plus pocket $ of CHF800-1000. They only work 30 hours a week

If you are looking at a decent, experience nanny. You have to provide the above, (language course is optional in this case), plus around $600(min) pound a week. But their working hours range from 45-50 hours.

If you are looking for a native speaking Swiss to communicate in English, it is alot cheaper. Plus no housing, lodging etc is needed. "Importing" native English or Russian speakers, you basically have to pay for their language skills.

I know of nannies who are experienced and are paid almost as much as an executive in the bank. They come with excellent reference letters.

You may try imperial nannies, based in London. There are alot more but I only know this one.
A note, you have to pay for their flight ticket to fly down to Zurich / Zug for the interview.
So if you have pocket $$ like nobody business, I say go ahead and hire a nanny...
Most of us normal working class (98%) can only afford part time Swiss baby sitters..

What?? I am an Au Pair here and I have 4 yrs of experience as a nanny (including triplets) and as au pair! I know some au pairs in Switzerland and most of them are either trained or they have a lot of experience plus first aid or all these together!! They have experience as a nanny, as a previous au pair, they worked in a nursery, as a teacher or teaching assistant etc. Some of the those au pairs have an NVQ in childcare!!

I don't mind hiring whoever as long as I still can work full-time and my two children (6 months and 2,5 years) a re alive and happy when I come home...

How do 98% people work if they only have part-time baby-sitters?

If I give them away into a kindergarten then it still will cost me 4-4.5 grand (so about 50% of my salary). I don't mind hiring a swiss germany nanny as I am fluent in German (she doesn't need english for my sake, not sure about my sons)...

So when I advertise for a nanny with limited experience ( I personally prefer young nannies below 30) how much should I be offering (room, full-board, german class if applicable, medical insurance) would 2000 a month be enough? (that was my hope)

He has just made up a number. IMO most ordinary folk pay for kinderkrippe while they go to work as it's the cheapest option, then when you have two or more it might be cheaper to have a nanny (though more hassle - employment issues, holidays, sickness cover etc). It's expensive everywhere, parents either just have to have a job that pays more than the childcare fees, or take the hit as a short term cost for the long term financial benefit of maintaining their career.

Edit: forgot to mention that when costing up a nanny, having spoken to a few and read this forum and various websites, I based my calculation on chf25 per hour plus cost of insurances, pension, incidental costs etc on top of that. 2000chf pcm sounds a little low for full time - unless you mean thats on top of full board etc, in which case it's possibly quite realistic given the cost of accom... hopefully someone will come along soon who is better informed than I am!