Arriving as a family

| Childcare | Schools | Health and Care
 

Kids © Ben Wicks on Unsplash-resize800x405© Ben Wicks on Unsplash

This page provides useful information for those who have just arrived in Lausanne with their family. 

UNIL’s family policy is described on a dedicated website: Families at UNIL.

The Welcome Centre also provides specific support to partners of UNIL staff arriving from abroad. Please look at the relevant page

Do not forget to look at the other pages on this website for useful information on life in Lausanne and the region.

The Equal Opportunities Office can offer financial assistance to parents with one or more children when the price of daycare (at a private nursery or with a childminder) is unaffordable for the parents.

This support is available only on request and the parents must meet the required criteria.

All the necessary information is available online

Childcare

It is difficult to find good quality childcare in Switzerland. 

There are few public nurseries and private nurseries can be expensive. Time on the waiting list for a public nursery can be lengthy, depending on the period. You should register as soon as possible!

Baby-sitters, nannies and childminders offer some alternative solutions. Most towns and cities in the canton of Vaud have centralised waiting lists for all the services.

For information on childcare services in Lausanne, look at the website of the Bureau d'information aux parents [parents’ information office] or contact the UNIL Equal Opportunities Office.

Schools

Switzerland has an excellent education system, which is entirely free.

School starts at four and is compulsory for 11 years. Every child must be registered with the schools’ administration of the commune in which they live.

If your child does not yet speak French, the school will arrange additional French courses when he or she starts. 

The organisation of the school system is governed by the commune. You will find the rules of the canton of Vaud under this tab.

Health and Care

The quality of the Swiss healthcare system is recognised to be high. Health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland. Make sure you take out insurance for your whole family without delay.

Pharmacists can offer initial advice and useful information if you or your child fall ill. You should note the location of your nearest pharmacy: the sign with the large green cross is easily recognisable.

Use these tabs to get further information. 

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Contact

Welcome Centre

Mrs Salomé Evard

Mrs Marcelina Klaus Gaillard


Tel. +41 21 692 60 27

welcomecentre@unil.ch

 

Equal Opportunities Office

Université de Lausanne
Vieux Pressoir
1015 Lausanne

+ 41 21 692 20 59
egalite@unil.ch 

Family activities

Leisure and social life in Vaud Canton 

Recreational areas

Aire_Jeux_Ben Mater-resize300x200.jpg

Interactive map of recreational areas

Parks and gardens in Lausanne

Château de Dorigny  -  CH-1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
Tel. +41 21 692 60 27
Fax +41 21 692 20 05