day care
Introduction
There are different types of day care available for children under 6. Some are full time while others are half days or by the hour. At all crèches there are long waiting lists – always register as soon as possible. They are either public or private. The cost for the public ones is based on the parents’ salary and will only allow you to register your child if you either live or work in the community where the crèche is located.
There are different types of day care available for children under 6. Some are full time while others are half days or by the hour. At all crèches there are long waiting lists – always register as soon as possible. They are either public or private. The cost for the public ones is based on the parents’ salary and will only allow you to register your child if you either live or work in the community where the crèche is located.
- The Geneva Welcome Center has put together a clear explanation in English of the various types of day care available in Geneva.
- The Bureau d'Information de la Petite Enfance (BIPE) is the official information service on the various child minding facilities for young children whose parents live in Geneva. The website is only in French.
- The Social Affairs Service lists many of the child care facilities for children from 0 - 6 years in Geneva and the Pays de Gex. If you encounter any difficulties (with language, understanding ...), they can assist you.
Nurseries
Crèches, Créches Familiales and Espaces de Vie Enfantine (EVE)
Crèches
The main function of the crèches is to welcome children whose parents are working. They practice continuous working hours with midday meals on the premises, from 7 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Entry age is from around 2 months to around 4 years.
France
La Compagnie Creative is a bilingual eco-responsible creche in Saint Genis Pouilly that offers regular, part-time, or occasional care for children aged 12 weeks to 4 years.
Switzerland
There are at least two private crèches in Geneva that will accept your children if you live outside the community or in France. These are:
Crèches Familiales
"Family crèches" organise and supervise the care of the child at the home of a family crèche worker authorised by the Department of Youth Protection. Every week, the workers and the children spend at least half a day at the crèche. The workers are hired, supervised and paid by the crèche.
The City has two family crèches: La Flottille (Eaux-Vives area) and La Pastourelle (Saint-Jean area).
Espaces de Vie Enfantine (EVE)
are day-care institutions for small children from a couple of months up to the age of kindergarten.
Crèches, Créches Familiales and Espaces de Vie Enfantine (EVE)
Crèches
The main function of the crèches is to welcome children whose parents are working. They practice continuous working hours with midday meals on the premises, from 7 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Entry age is from around 2 months to around 4 years.
France
La Compagnie Creative is a bilingual eco-responsible creche in Saint Genis Pouilly that offers regular, part-time, or occasional care for children aged 12 weeks to 4 years.
Switzerland
There are at least two private crèches in Geneva that will accept your children if you live outside the community or in France. These are:
- Crèche Scoubidou
2 months to 4 years
chemin des Colombettes 5, Geneva - Creche Lolilola
1 yr to 4.5 years
chemin du Pommier 14, Grand-Saconnex - +41 22 788 36 17
Crèches Familiales
"Family crèches" organise and supervise the care of the child at the home of a family crèche worker authorised by the Department of Youth Protection. Every week, the workers and the children spend at least half a day at the crèche. The workers are hired, supervised and paid by the crèche.
The City has two family crèches: La Flottille (Eaux-Vives area) and La Pastourelle (Saint-Jean area).
Espaces de Vie Enfantine (EVE)
are day-care institutions for small children from a couple of months up to the age of kindergarten.
- Children's day-care centre at Champs-Fréchets - CERN has 20 places reserved for CERN personnel for children aged 4 months to 4 years.
Short-term Nurseries
Garderies, Halte-garderies, and Jardins d’enfants
France
“Garderies“ and “Halte-garderies” are institutions for the temporary care of young children until around 4 years.
You can bring your child for two or three mornings or afternoons a week. Call a few days ahead to reserve a place. If you only need a couple of hours of child care per week, this might be an option for you.
Switzerland
The first objective of nursery schools (Jardins d’enfants) is to teach children how to live and play together on a half day time basis.
Here is a list from the Ville de Genève.
Garderies, Halte-garderies, and Jardins d’enfants
France
“Garderies“ and “Halte-garderies” are institutions for the temporary care of young children until around 4 years.
You can bring your child for two or three mornings or afternoons a week. Call a few days ahead to reserve a place. If you only need a couple of hours of child care per week, this might be an option for you.
- Le Jardin de Zébulon
Crèche/Halte-garderie, 12 months to 3 years
A private, bilingual (French/English) day care center that offers regular full-time or part-time care
Technoparc, 60 rue Clément Ader, St. Genis-Pouilly - +33 645 63 72 74
Switzerland
The first objective of nursery schools (Jardins d’enfants) is to teach children how to live and play together on a half day time basis.
Here is a list from the Ville de Genève.
Day-care Mothers
In France, they are called Assistantes maternelles.
These are family-oriented alternative form of child care "mothers" who will care for your child at their homes. Each day-care mother is trained for the job and is officially approved. The number of children they are allowed to look after is limited. You can get a list of active assistantes maternelles at your local town hall (Mairie).
This website for the Pays de Gex has an interactive map of creches in the area, and which communities they serve.
In Switzerland, they are referred to as Mamans du jour / familles d’accueil. Accueil familial de jour Suisse will assist you in looking for an appropriate family.
In France, they are called Assistantes maternelles.
These are family-oriented alternative form of child care "mothers" who will care for your child at their homes. Each day-care mother is trained for the job and is officially approved. The number of children they are allowed to look after is limited. You can get a list of active assistantes maternelles at your local town hall (Mairie).
This website for the Pays de Gex has an interactive map of creches in the area, and which communities they serve.
In Switzerland, they are referred to as Mamans du jour / familles d’accueil. Accueil familial de jour Suisse will assist you in looking for an appropriate family.
Babysitting, Nannies and Au Pairs
- Students at Webster University are willing to do babysitting and household chores. Contact: Nancy Pavanello, Career Counselor at Webster for their current list at: +41 22 959 8023 or by email.
- Aupair World
Internet database for families and au pairs who want to find each other without using an agency. - Bébé Nouno
A French search site where you can place ads and search for babysitters, nannies, au pairs, mamans du jour etc. To see full details, you need to register.
Classified Ads (petit announce)
- AngloInfo lists many child care, babysitting and nanny services
- Babysitters GVA - Is an English-speaking child care mediation service for families and babysitters residing in and around Geneva.
- English Forum - you can answer or post an ad
- Geneve Famille lists babysitters, au pairs, nannies, creches and more
- KiddieClub - Classifieds
- Les Enfants d'Abord for information on Babysitting and Au Pairs (in French)
- World Radio Switzerland - Classifieds
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