Registration & Admission
In the KiTa Märliwält, children are accepted from the age of 3 months. We warmly welcome all children, regardless of nationality and confession. Registration is done via an application form and reserves a spot for the child on the waiting list. A binding reservation of the spot only exists after the care contract is signed, which is co-signed by the parents and the daycare management. An acclimatization period is generally possible at any time, provided that spots are available, and entry occurs at the beginning of the month. The children always spend the same weekdays in the daycare. It is beneficial for the children to attend at least 2 days per week, but of course, we also accept children for just one day. If care spots are available, additional days outside of the contractually agreed care times can be utilized.
Opening hours
The opening hours of the KiTa Märliwält are from Monday to Friday, from 07:00 AM to 06:30 PM. The KiTa is closed on public holidays, from Christmas until New Year's (public holidays). On the days before Ascension, Good Friday, and Christmas, the KiTa closes at 04:00 PM. Details can be found in the current annual calendar.
Our company holidays are always the second and third school holiday weeks of the city of Zurich in summer (last week of July and the first week of August).
On "Knabenschiessenmontag" and "Sächsilüüte", the KiTa closes at 01:00 PM.
The opening hours of the KiTa Märliwält are Monday to Friday, from 07:00 AM to 06:30 PM. The KiTa is closed on public holidays, at Christmas until and including New Year's Day (public holidays). On the days before Ascension, Good Friday, and Christmas, the KiTa closes at 04:00 PM. Details can be found in the current annual calendar.
Our company holidays are always the second and third school vacation weeks of the city of Zurich in summer (last week of July and first week of August).
On "Knabenschiessen Monday" and "Sächsilüüte," the KiTa closes at 01:00 PM.
Subsidized places
Thanks to the support of the Social Department of the city of Zurich, the Kita Märliwält can allocate all its childcare places to subsidized families as well. To receive a subsidized place with us, interested families must submit a subsidy application to the Education and Sports Department of the city of Zurich. Subsidies are only granted to families living in the city of Zurich. The income and asset situation of a family is crucial for the decision of the Social Department on whether and to what extent childcare costs will be subsidized. More detailed information about the subsidy application can be found on the website of the city of Zurich. We are happy to assist you with this.
Prices
The following rates apply for non-subsidized families from June 2023:
Full day from 19 months CHF 129.00 (daily rate)
Full day up to 18 months CHF 149.00 (daily rate)
In the KiTa Märliwält, the childcare costs are charged in the form of a monthly flat rate. Due to the higher care requirements, we charge an additional fee of CHF 20.00 for infants up to and including 18 months. The sibling discount is 10% of the regular monthly flat rate for the second child; the first child remains fully charged. In case of illness and accident (parent or child), there is no reduction.
The monthly flat rate is composed as follows:
Daily rate (129.–) x Child (1) x Days (2) x 4 weeks per month = CHF 1‘032.00
Daily rate (149.–) x Child (1) x Days (2) x 4 weeks per month = CHF 1‘192.00
The following rates apply for non-subsidized families from June 2023:
Whole day from 19 months CHF 129.00 (daily rate)
Whole day up to 18 months CHF 149.00 (daily rate)
In the KiTa Märliwält, the care costs are charged as a monthly flat rate. Due to the higher care requirements, we charge an additional CHF 20.00 for infants up to and including 18 months. The sibling discount is 10% of the regular monthly flat rate for the second child, the first child remains fully paying. There is no reduction for illness and accident (parents or child).
The monthly flat rate is composed as follows:
Daily rate (129.–) x child (1) x days (2) x 4 weeks per month = CHF 1‘032.00
Daily rate (149.–) x child (1) x days (2) x 4 weeks per month = CHF 1‘192.00
Payment terms
By signing the care contract, the parents commit to timely payment. The monthly flat fee for the agreed care days must be paid in advance by the last day of the previous month. Any additional days will be charged on the next invoice. In case of a payment delay of more than 14 days, the childcare management is no longer obliged to accept the respective children.
Adaptation period
The acclimatization period usually lasts 2 weeks at 4 days. However, parents should expect a longer acclimatization period. During this time, a caregiver will accompany the child in the daycare. Parents should be reachable at all times during this acclimatization phase and be ready to pick up the child from the daycare as quickly as possible. The child will spend increasingly longer periods in the daycare without the presence of the parents until, on the last day, they experience a full daycare day.
The acclimatization is charged at a flat rate of CHF 300.00. If the acclimatization takes longer or if the guardians wish for a slower acclimatization, the additional appointments will be invoiced at CHF 15.00 per hour.
For subsidized families, the first day of acclimatization is considered the entry day, and from that day, the subsidized parental contribution will be charged.
The acclimatization period usually lasts 2 weeks and 4 days. However, parents should expect a longer acclimatization period. During this time, a designated caregiver accompanies the child in the daycare. Parents should be reachable at any time during this acclimatization phase and be ready to pick up their child from the daycare as quickly as possible. The child will spend increasingly longer periods without the presence of the parents in the daycare until, on the last day, they experience a full daycare day.
The acclimatization is charged a flat fee of CHF 300.00. If the acclimatization takes longer or if the guardians wish for a slower acclimatization process, the additional appointments will be charged at CHF 15.00 per hour.
For subsidized families, the first day of acclimatization is considered the admission day, and from this day on, the subsidized parental contribution is charged.
Resignation, termination, changes
The contract can be terminated in writing by either party at the end of the month, with a notice period of 3 months, starting from the child's entry. The termination must be addressed to the daycare management. An increase or decrease in the number of care days must also be communicated in writing one month in advance. If withdrawal occurs before the contractually agreed entry date, but after the care contract has been concluded, there is a notice period of one month.
Dropping off and picking up the children
Drop-off times: 07:00 – 09:00 / Pick-up times: 16:00 – 18:15
Children may only be picked up by people known to us. If the child is picked up by another person, this must be communicated to the nursery management or the trained staff in good time. In case of non-compliance with pick-up times, a charge of 20 CHF will be made for each started quarter hour. The trained staff should be informed if the child is to be picked up earlier or brought later in exceptional cases.
When dropping off and picking up the children, not too much time should be spent in the daycare and waiting. From an educational perspective, the separation from the parents becomes more difficult if there is back and forth play, or if the parents wait too long to say “goodbye.” Moreover, the daily routine in the daycare is constantly disturbed by these moments and cannot continue.
For these reasons, we would be grateful if you take no more than 10 minutes to say goodbye. The same applies to pick-up. Exceptions to this rule are possible but should primarily be discussed with the trained staff.
Drop-off times: 07:00 – 09:00 AM / Pick-up times: 04:00 – 06:15 PM
Children may only be picked up by individuals known to us. If the child is to be picked up by someone else, this must be communicated in a timely manner to the daycare management or the qualified staff. If the pick-up times are not adhered to, a fee of 20 CHF will be charged for each started quarter hour. The qualified staff should be informed if the child is to be picked up earlier or brought later in exceptional cases.
When dropping off and picking up the children, not too much time should be spent at the daycare waiting. From an educational perspective, separating from the parents becomes more difficult if there is back-and-forth play, or if parents take too long to say goodbye. Moreover, the daycare routine is constantly disrupted by these moments and cannot be continued.
For these reasons, we would appreciate it if you took no more than 10 minutes to say goodbye. The same applies to pick-ups. Exceptions to this rule are possible but should primarily be discussed with the qualified staff.
Illness or accident
If the child is sick or has an accident, they stay at home. The daycare staff must be informed by 9:00 AM so that the day can be planned. If the child has a fever of 38.5 degrees, the parents will be informed and the child must be picked up from daycare. We advise parents not to bring their child back to daycare too early after illness (at least one fever-free day at home would be beneficial). Days missed due to illness, vacation, or other absences cannot be made up, moved forward, or compensated. If the child has an accident or falls ill during their stay at the daycare, the provisions of the safety concept apply.
To avoid infections in daycare, we recommend fully vaccinating children according to the Swiss vaccination plan.
In case of illness or accident, the child stays at home. The daycare staff must be informed by 9:00 AM so that the day can be planned. In case of a fever of 38.5 degrees, the parents will be informed, and the child must be picked up from daycare. We advise parents not to bring the child back to daycare too early after illness (at least one fever-free day at home would be beneficial). Missed days due to illness, vacation, or other absences cannot be made up, brought forward, or compensated. If the child has an accident or falls ill during their time at daycare, the provisions of the safety concept apply.
To avoid infections in daycare, we recommend that children be fully vaccinated according to the Swiss vaccination schedule.
Nutrition
The children receive a balanced and age-appropriate diet. Seasonal and biologically valuable offerings are taken into consideration. The catering costs are included in the nursery fees. The diet is continuously adjusted and discussed with the parents.
Clothing, equipment
Children should wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the weather. They need rubber boots, a rain jacket, and pants, slippers, a toothbrush, spare clothes, a drinking bottle, and maybe a pacifier. Toddlers require personal formula and bottles. Care products are available at the daycare. Personal items should be labeled with the child's name and can be deposited at the daycare if needed.
Insurance
Accident, health, and liability insurance is the responsibility of the parents. The KiTa Märliwält is insured with AXA Winterthur.
Communication
We place great importance on open and transparent communication with parents.
Development conversations:
Once a year, we hold a development meeting with the parents to discuss the child's overall development and any open questions. If necessary, additional meetings can be scheduled.
Newsletter:
At the end of each month, we send an internal newsletter to all families. This includes current topics, information about upcoming events, and small insights into daily care routines, complemented by photos.
Annual daycare event:
Once a year, we organize an event for the families. This can be a craft day with the parents, a summer party in the garden or park, or a parents' evening where the focus is on the exchange between parents and daycare staff.
Daily exchange:
We gladly take the time in the morning and in the evening to exchange important information with you and to inform you about the daily schedule.
Contact:
As we focus entirely on the children during the kindergarten day-to-day activities, we are not available for private matters via mobile phones. We ask you to contact us directly through the kindergarten phone numbers:
- Kita Wiedikon: 044 512 59 66
- Kita Oerlikon: 044 599 99 71
- Kita Affoltern: 044 594 00 49
Alternatively, you can reach us by email:
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
Thank you for your understanding!
Your Daycare Märliwält
Zurich, December 2024
