Talk to me about Geneva

[smellsofsick]

I know nothing and looks like we're moving there in September - me, DH and DD, who'll be 21 mths then. Also pregnant with DC2.

Any top Geneva tips? I'm particularly interested in hearing about experiences with nurseries and toddler groups.

Thank you!

I live in Lausanne, down the road from Geneva in Canton Vaud. Have you looked at englishforum.ch? Lots of useful info on there.

My top tip is sort out your childcare asap as places are very short. When we arrived DD1 was 20 months and we didn't get her in somewhere until she was 2.5. 2.5 is the general minimum age for entry to a Jardin d'Enfant hence more availability of options from that age.

Toddler groups are not easy to come by, but the expat community is huge and we formed our own. Am sure you won't struggle to find playmates.

If you want any advice on giving birth over here in CH let me know. DC2 was born a few months ago.

Ps. Have a date with a toddler group tomorrow at one of the many openair pools by the lake. We tend to camp out most of the summer afternoons with picnics on the grass by the pools. DCs live in sunsuits in the pools. Tis the equivalent of a meet up at a softplay centre (so hard to come by over here). It isn't a bad life...

I live in Geneva, currently expecting first baby, so not much use on the childcare / nursery front.
Although the one thing that everyone has also told me is to sort out childcare places as soon as possible. We're likely to be returning to the UK once my maternity leave is up, though, so haven't bothered.
Geneva is nice enough - a bit quiet, but great for families I would imagine, especially in the summer.
Happy to help with any Qs.

Thank you elephant and ninja. Looking forward to the adventure but obviously nervous about being somewhere new with two DCs and a basic grasp of the language

Will definitely take your advice on childcare and ask through DH's work if they have any schemes. Looking forward to checking out the lake and pools.

Lausanne sounds good too. We'll have a look at a few options on line for accommodation and see which areas grab us. Any recommendations?