Frequently Asked Questions
All you ever wanted to know ...
Membership
"Can we benefit from Childcare Service services without becoming a member?"
Our services are available exclusively to our members and their employees.
"What additional information can members access in the
login area?"
We offer the staff of our member companies a well-structured range of checklists, links to further information, model documents, etc. that can quickly and easily be read online.
"What are the benefits of membership?"
- Free information and advice on balancing
family and career
- Free nanny-finder service
- Access to the nanny pool in emergencies
- Participation in holiday programmes
- Places in Kids & Co daycare centres
(depending on the type of agreement)
Kids & Co Daycare Centres
"Can public institutions, such as local authorities, also become members of Childcare Service?"
Local authorities can benefit first and foremost from our experience in setting up and running daycare centres. More and more local authorities are coming to us. We will be happy to provide an up-to-date list of references relevant to the set-up and expansion of local authority daycare infrastructures.
"Does Childcare Service take care of the whole project management side of setting up a new daycare centre?"
Childcare Service helps its members to set up and operate daycare centres. We're happy to support your project from the market analysis stage right through to the grand opening. More than 13 successful daycare centres stand testament to the quality and expertise of our staff.
"Who bears the financial responsibility for the Kids & Co daycare centres?"
As the sponsor of Kids & Co daycare centres, Childcare Service is solely and entirely responsible for balancing the books. Our members companies bear some of the capacity risk attached to the daycare centres by underwriting any places from their allocation that are not filled.
"Does company membership mean that staff are guaranteed a daycare place?"
If the company has an agreement with Childcare Service for a certain number of daycare places, and these are not filled, then staff have the chance of an immediate place for their child(ren).
"Is there a minimum number of hours or days that children have to attend a daycare centre?"
With our childcare and education concept, children should be looked after by us for a minimum of two full days. It is very important that children are looked after outside the family on a regular basis by a consistent care team - and that they experience a certain intensity of care - so that they can feel at home in their group."
"Why can't parents of children at Kids & Co daycare centres choose the days on which their children attend?"
To satisfy our educational standards, we look after the children in fixed groups that meet on Mondays/Tuesdays or Thursdays/Fridays. Children may attend additionally on Wednesdays for care costs > 40%.
"How is a daycare place financed?"
Daycare costs are generally paid by the parents. Some member companies offer their staff subsidised care.
Advice / Information
"Why should someone use the advisory services offered by the Childcare Service offices? The internet is full of information that people can find out for themselves."
Many of the staff of our member companies appreciate talking to our advisors, without obligation, because they feel confirmed in their approach, it introduces them to new perspectives, and allows them to look at the issue of childcare as a whole. What's more, the time saved by having the information prepared for the parents' particular needs is repeatedly praised as one of the plus points of what Childcare Service can offer.
Nanny-Finder Service
"Is the nanny-finder service really free? What about employment terms?"
Childcare Service's professional nanny-finder service is free to employees of our member companies. Our advisors will be happy to inform your staff about the rights and obligations they enter into when employing a nanny. Up-to-date information is also presented in a clear and comprehensible way in the login area that is exclusive to our members.
"What is the difference between the Childcare Service nanny-finder service and other nanny placement platforms on the internet?"
In addition to the free finder service, the main difference is that our advisors contact a family personally to find out as much as possible about their needs. We talk to the family directly to establish clearly what they want from the type of care they are looking for. Our advisors only refer nannies that they know personally and whose professional background they have checked.
Emergency Nannies
"Is Childcare Service really able to find a childcare solution at short notice in an emergency?"
Our offices have carefully selected and managed pools of nannies who can be deployed to help with childcare in a short-term arrangement. It is nonetheless important that parents build up their own private network to cover very short periods. We strongly believe that children are best cared for by someone they know. Especially in emergency situations.
Eldercare
"Why is Childcare Service now also offering information on eldercare?"
Balancing family and career is not just a problem for families with young children. Demographic shifts in the Swiss population that more and more adult children wish to care for elderly parents themselves. Childcare Service aims to provide support here, too.