Childcare in Luxembourg

[pescatore]

We have just learned that we will probably be moving back to Luxembourg in August . We lived there for a year in 2010 and DS was born there so we know some of the ropes and are very happy to be going back.

We want to put DS (who will turn 2 in Sept) into creche 2-3 days a week and employ a nanny for the other 2/3 days a week. We will probably be living in Gare and I will be working in Kirchberg so relatively central.

Does anyone have any creche recommendations ? We would probably prefer a Luxembourgish speaking creche but would be happy with anything "good". I have heard horror stories of the waiting lists for good creches so am quite nervous.

As for a nanny, I have no idea as to where to start, what the market is like or what I might expect to pay. We are looking for someone long term as we plan to be in Lux for a good few years. I am still a member of Liewensufank and but not (yet) BLC or AWC.

Any suggestions whatsover would be most gratefully received.

I think we were in contact about something or other last time you were here :) cool that you're coming back and are happy about it...

I know a friend of mine was extremely happy with Creche de Luxembourg www.crechedeluxembourg.lu/ (I think it's state-run in some way and mainly in Luxembourgish), though I suspect the waiting lists may be long. I think they may be more flexible than most about part-time places too.

Another friend liked one called Les Petits Poussins in Bonnevoie, though she was wanting French-speaking. We used La Luciole (they have several but ours was in Gasperich) - it was ok for a half-time place but nothing great. I found in general the child-carer ratios for age 2-4 seemed very high - the two we were choosing between were 1:7 or 1:9.

The problem you may find is that it can be very hard to get a part-time place and you are often obliged to take a full-time place (though it does depend). The half-time places also tend to be five mornings or five afternoons rather than a couple of days.

Do you know all about the chèque-service which will subsidise the creche to some extent?

I asked a friend who has a nanny - she says she pays 2000/month for 37 hours a week (slightly above the going rate I think) plus 500/month in employer contributions. I know they didn't find it very easy to find a good, well-qualified nanny although they were under time pressure. In the end they got one via an international (US) site and the nanny came to Luxembourg specifically to work for them.

Good luck!!! do ask if you have any other questions:

Thank you so much for this very useful information - I was really hoping you would see this ! I am indeed the one who was in touch last time re Dr Bretz (who was great, by the way). I hadn't known that half time places were harder to come by in Lux; I will have to have a think about that...

I was just talking to someone this morning who was very positive about Children's World too - not sure what languages they offer, definitely English but probably others too.

We have changed from Dr Bretz to Dr Agustsson as my DH wasn't all that impressed with Dr B, and Dr A came highly recommended by my son's allergy specialist - and I do think she is excellent :)