I'm about to move in Aesch near Birmensdorf and I come from Teddington (Richmond) uk. There, I was used to a huge choice of playgroups usually in churches or public halls with toys and cups of tea to meet, play and have a chat.
Is there anything like it here in Swiss? And in particular around B. area?
ciao
Silvia
it would be nice to meet! We just moved 2 days ago so maybe I'd wait next week to meet up. I just know the play ground in Aesch and it's beautiful but I wouldn't know where to go in case of rain or anyway to have a coffe with space to play. Do you?
My email is [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) , feel free to contact me with your ideas.
ciao
Silvia
I'll send you an email tomorrow .. good luck moving!
I frequent an English playgroup near Stadelhofen, which is very convenient to get to from here by public transport (train). Let me knwo if you want more detailed info.
Below the info (including contacts) for the group I go to. This group has only been running for a few month, the advantage being that there are still spaces available. This one is on Thursday afternoon. There are similar groups on Wednesday afternoon and on Monday morning, which have been going for longer. When I enquired a couple of month ago there were'nt any spaces left, but that may have changed now.
I hope to meet you soon at the group or closer to home!
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Hiya
Our first Thursday playgroup is next week 3rd of April. Some details are as follows:
Time & Place
The group will meet every Thursday afternoon 2:45 – 4:45 at St. Andrews Church, Promenadengasse in Zurich. How to get there:
Holiday and Public Holiday
The play group will not take place on Public Holidays and there will be a summer break. There will be a separate reminder of these dates.
Playgroup Program
2.45 – 3.35 Free play
3.00 – 3.40 Snack time
3.50 – 4.25 Craft
4.25 – end Clear up and song time
Arts & Crafts session
For the slightly older kids, there will be an arts & crafts session. Each week this should be led by a
different mum who will also dream up the theme for the session! It doesn’t have to be difficult if you’re not crafty just stick craft, making, etc in google and you’ll find loads of helpful websites.
It is helpful if you have a ‘here’s one I made earlier’ example so that the children can see the end product.
Glue, colouring pens, crayons, scissors, some stickers are available in the craft box in the cupboard anything else will have to be brought with.
There will be a separate sign-up sheet so mums can take it in turns organising arts and crafts.
Snacks
Please bring snacks for children (fruit, bread, croissant etc.) and for the mums and milk for the tea.
Tea and coffee are available in the store cupboard as well as fruit squash (sirop) for the children.
The children’s snacks can be laid out on a tray the mums on a plate these are in the kitchen. The plastic plates and cups for the children are in the store cupboard.
Start to clear away snacks and drinks around 3.30. Then basically it’s wash everything up and leave the kitchen how you found it.
There will be a sign-up sheet so mums can take it in turns organising snacks.
Fees
The costs are CHF 110.- per 6 months, collected in advance. This will mainly cover the rent, basic tea and coffee supplies, allow us to get new toys as needed and cover party items for special occasions.
Disclaimer
During play group you will be responsible for the safety of your child. Please read and sign the attached disclaimer and bring it along next Thursday.
Some additional thoughts...
The room has a wooden floor which can be quite slippery, therefore you may want to bring some anti-slip socks to avoid falls.
Hot water is available for preparing formula, warming jars of food, etc.
There are no formal baby-changing facilities. Therefore please bring the means to take used diapers away with you!
Everyone please help with putting out toys and clearing up. It’s much easier if we all muck in.
Be considerate when it comes to illness what may seem innocuous in a toddler may not be so for the small babies and pregnant women.
Please fill out the attached New member info form and bring it along next Thursday
Finally
We look forward to seeing you all soon.
If you have any burning questions, you can [send a PM for contact information]
Kind regards and see you all on Thursday
Julie
I think there are some spaces available in the Monday and Wednesday groups, but you can email the organisers of each group to check. You are also welcome to come along for a tryout session to any of the groups to see if you like it.
Kate
One last question: are there mums that come with just a baby (i.e. no older siblings) because mine is 6m and can't really do a lot yet. I'm thinking that I might have to wait a few months until he can at least crawl (if he ever does)!
It is also nice to talk to other parents while there, know what other parents do with their children in this area, have general chats about child development, etc.
It is up to you, but you can just come for a trial session and see for yourself (just call Julie to let her know)
do you know if the 6 & 9m babies (now older) you mention frequent the Thu group? I think my Leon (8m) is now more than ready to participate!
thanx!
The then 6 month old is still coming, the then 9 month old is no longer attending as both parents are now back at work. There are however new people joining all the time. I do not know whether Julie reads this threat, I just copy-pasted a public email in the threat which came from her.
I will soon have to stop coming, as I am going back to work, but I hope you will like it!
Stadelhofen english playgroup sounds good, but I'm sill hoping to find an english playgroup near my area.
ruby from Oberwil-lieli
We've started a small group around Zufikon, down the road from Lieli. We meet up every Tuesday afternoon at the moment at peoples home, but maybe in the future we'll have to find a hall somewhere.
Anyway next week is at my home, so send me a pm and I'll let you know the address - the more the merrier!
Ciao
Jenny
Zufikon
I live in Birmensdorf and have a 10 months old baby. I'm looking to meet English-speaking moms in the area and/or join a playgroup.
Tango
I live in Zufikon over the hill from Birmensdorf. Tehre's a new group starting up in Lieli, mom and tots on Friday mornings.
Barbara & Leon (15m)