Is 7 a disastrous age to move to Zurich or Geneva?

[Lovepancakes]

We're considering moving back to Zurich (I'd prefer Geneva as only speak French but DH is more likely to find the right job in Zurich).

I'm worried about DD though and disrupting her happy time at a good school here. Would she adapt or at this stage would it just disrupt? It could be a long term move but only if right for her and I'm worried! I suppose one positive is formal learning starts later but she'll still be in the deep end?

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Adapt. My DD lived in six countries before she was 12. 6 different schools and languages with no family support outside me and DH.
She is a broad minded child with tremendous language skills.
Switzerland was one of the countries we lived in.

[Lovepancakes]

Wow! That's a lot of moving. Thanks for your reply.

[ContinentalKat]

Assuming that you are moving from the UK, 7 might actually be an ideal age. Your daughter will be in year 1 or 2 of Swiss school. She won't have any issues academically, as she will be ahead of her classmates, which will give her some space to concentrate on learning the language. Perfect!

We have moved around a fair bit, and the children have always adapted remarkably well and a lot faster than dh and me.

[JollySantersSelectionBox]

You'd have to find a job first before deciding where to settle and let that lead you though?

Especially as they seem to be toughening up on B permit issuing.

At that age in Switzerland a lot of kids are just starting to grasp reading and writing as they are in their first formal year of education.

If she's already covered the basics in a UK school then it takes the pressure of a bit.

Could you afford to put her into a bilingual school like SIS? That way she gets the best of both worlds. If it's a permanent move she'd have to go into local, private German or bilingual school in Zurich canton and not english speaking international school IIRC.

[Lovepancakes]

Thank you as you're helping me feel more open to the idea, and she does seem well ahead with handwriting and reading and could do with starting maths right from the beginning! I'll see if DH has any offers but it's helpful to know mentally it's not a bad idea and to realise a bilingual school might be a good option. So thank you and I'll do more thorough research when hopefully have something definite

[JollySantersSelectionBox]

Don't rule out Basel for job searches - best of both worlds there as you are neighbouring France and can slip into your comfort zone.

[NaturalBaby]

We're moving near to Zurich and one of our dc's will be 6, we've been told countless times it's the ideal age.

[tiredandsadmum]

Give it a go! Fabulous experience. I really regret not taking DS to Italy when he was just slightly younger.