Hi - just a quick intro - we are thinking about moving to Basel from Canada with 2 young children aged 3.5 and 1 year old. Wondering if anyone has experience with ISB preschool program as the company will likely pay for this for our eldest. I'm concerned about my 1 year old and what programs would be available to her - are there nursery schools where i can drop her off for a few hours (maybe when she turns 1.5 years old? we have that here in canada).

Hi!
Hope all is going well with your plans. I can't comment on the ISB pre school program, as my little one is not yet old enough, but there are quite a few nursery schools in Basel where you can organise regular day care for your little one. You can choose from all German, bilingual or all English, so there a quite a variety, but you need to apply in advance, as some require an application fee paid, and they take applications well in advance of the staring date, so make sure to check out the requirements of the ones close to you/that you like. Day care is expensive, though, so be prepared for that.

Hope everything goes well for you! All the best.

Hi- we are moving to Basel from Edinburgh in July with our two sons (6 and 3) and I have been looking at nursery for my 3 year old. I've been given the name of 4 recommended nurseries (I am looking for English or bilingual) and I am waiting to hear whether I can get a part-time place as I understand they are very busy.

Please let me know if you would like the names of the nurseries or any further information and good luck!

Hi and possibly welcome to Basel!

Many kitas (childcare centres) will take children part time, from 6 months. If they are near full, they may get choosy, but there are several that aren't so it's worth asking.

Your employer (if it's who I think it is) will most likely also be able to help with child care, but ask early -- asap!

Good luck in making your decision. Basel is a great place for kids.

Think also about putting your older child into childcare where s/he would learn some french or german - it's a great opportunity and they learn really fast.