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Education

 

Childcare and education are major concerns for anyone arriving in the Lake Geneva region with children. The public school system in Switzerland is of a very high standard and caters for children from the age of 4 (as at 31 July).

 

Pre-school children (age 0 to 4)

For children of pre-school age, there are various types of childcare available, depending on your needs and the age of your child: crèches, kindergartens, family day-care, playgroups or private childcare.

 

Public childcare facilities

Crèches and day nurseries are run by the municipality. Depending on your needs, you’ll find full-time or part-time childcare options. Registration is managed by the city, with a priority given to working parents.

More infos about Geneva canton : Early childhood facilities
More infos about Vaud canton : Daycare facilitites for early childhood

 

Other childcare options

Private organisations can also help you recruit a childminder or find a place in a childcare facility.

https://mysweetdays.ch/en/
https://prioriteenfants.ch/en/childcare-nanny-search/
https://www.la-nouvelle-ecole.com/copy-of-registration
https://www.liacademy.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Tarifs-2023-2024-nouvelle-inscription.pdf
https://www.metropolitan-international-school.de/mis-schools/school-locations/geneva

Some international private schools also accept children before age 4  (see section below).

The local Red Cross also offers last minute or emergency options for childcare at your home if your child is ill or if you need a qualified baby-sitter.
Red Cross Geneva
Red Cross Vaud

 

Swiss public schools (age 4 and above)

State education in Switzerland is free and compulsory. It starts at the age of 4 on 31 July.
Enrolling in state school in Switzerland depends on where you live. You should therefore start the enrolment process as soon as you have signed the lease on your new home.
The school year starts at the end of August and finishes at the end of June or the beginning of July. You can enrol at any time during the school year.

 

Canton of Geneva

To enroll your child in Primary school, you should go directly to the nearest school in your neighbourhood.
List of primary schools in Geneva canton
Registration to Primary school (age 4 to 12)

The brochure below, available in several languages, gives parents all necessary explanations about primary school in Geneva:
Welcome to primary school

To enroll your child in Cycle or Secondary II, it may be necessary to take a level or language test first.

Reception classes offering support in French are available for non-French-speaking children.

During the lunch break or after school, you can enrol your children in extra-curricular activities organised by the municipality (extra fees).

 

Canton of  Vaud

The following site provides information on compulsory schooling in the canton of Vaud:
https://www.vd.ch/themes/formation/enseignement-obligatoire-et-pedagogie-specialisee/deroulement-de-lecole-obligatoire-dans-le-canton-de-vaud

https://www.vaud-bienvenue.ch/infos-pratiques/informations/ecole-et-formation

Schools are managed by the municipalities and enrolments are made through your local school.
School registration process in Vaud

Find schools by commune :
List of school in Vaud canton
Primaire et secondaire I à Nyon
Gymnase à Nyon

 

International and private schools

Switzerland offers a wide range of options if you want your child to continue their education in their native language or in an international curriculum. They offer bilingual courses or courses in your child’s mother tongue.
These schools often accept children earlier than Swiss schools (from the age of 2 or 3).

Private Schools Association for Geneva : www.agep.ch
Private Schools Association for Vaud : https://avdep.ch/

 

Extra curricular activities

Canton of Geneva

Canton of Vaud