Expat life, Geneva, Geneva for beginners
Your child enters Geneva’s public school this year? Parentville’s got you covered!
The first thing to know: 1P aka 1st grade stands for the 1st grade in the primary school in Geneve.
Just remember: as everything in Switzerland depends on the canton, the school is even more detailed: everything depends on the teacher. Differences from what is described below may happen.
PREPARE
You’ll need: slippers, basanes, painting apron, a change of clothes. Also in some school: a box of tissues
You don’t need to buy any books, notebooks, crayons, glue, scissors etc. – such equipment is provided by the schools.
Does your child need a backpack?
Yes. But not a big backapack for heavy contents. Any light backpack that can easily hold an a4 folder will do!
Things that they will carry in the backpack are:
- a snack-box,
- a water bottle aka “la gourde”,
- and the a4 sized folder aka “la fourre”.
- a communication notebook (carnet de l’élève)
- All books, notebooks, crayons etc. stay at school.
You will get a teacher-parent communication book also called a students book (carnet de l’élève) with all necessary explanations, addresses, and phone numbers. Further pages constitute an agenda. Each day of the school year has its place, where teachers and parents can put important information. At the bottom of the page you’ll find space to request a meeting with the teacher (or teacher’s request to meet with you). You’ll need to sign the book every week. I promise, It will become clear once you get it in your hands.
In the first weeks of the school year you will also receive some forms to fill (mainly asking about address, phone numbers, special health issues, languages spoken etc). Nothing complicated.
INDEPENDENCE
Kids are expected to be diaper-free, and independent when it comes to all toilet-related issues. They should also know how to dress themselves, put on their shoes, etc. Of course, teachers will occasionally help if needed, but the expectation is for kids to be independent. For that reason it’s best to, for example, avoid shoes with laces until the child can tie them without adults’ help.
You may have heard that children in Switzerland are required to walk to school alone from the age of 4. It is not the case in the canton of Geneva. Some teachers may suggest it (but not to 4yo) but nobody will require it ever. You can walk your kid to school till they’re 18yo or more.
IT’S IN FRENCH
Don’t be afraid if your child doesn’t speak French.
Most probably, he/she won’t be the only one in the classroom. Teachers in Geneva are experienced and used to working with allophone children (allophone is french for not speaking French).
Grades 1-3P are very playful year, perfect to learn the language! Those joining later will be for half a day in their regular class, and half a day at a French-for-foreigners class.
If you do think your child will do better with some additional help, you can try a kids’ French course in one of the language schools, for example playful Spell Languages (offering both group and private lessons, as well as full weeks during school holidays).
PLAYTIME
1-2P focus on socializing, board games, songs, and as my daughter put it “that damn coloring”. Coloring is boring for many kids but the thought behind it is to master the pincer grasp, to better work with the pencil the following years. They get to learn their abc’s, count to 12, and write their name. But again, everything depends on the teacher. My daughter’s teacher added a bit of German to the mix.
1-2P classrooms are filled with toys, games, and colours. There’s usually a library corner, and a separate space for different kinds of pretend play scenarios.
It’s not really school yet. It’s a kindergarten in school’s building.
LEARNING 101
Don’t expect any reading or proper writing happening in Geneva 1P or even 2P classes. This won’t happen till the 3P. To many of you it might come as a shock, but actually according to a ton of research (example of an article summing it up: here), it is a great advantage of the Swiss system. The same is done in many Northern and Eastern European countries, especially those renown for their educational systems, eg Finland and Sweden.
(By the way, did you know there is a Swedish School in Geneva, offering an English-French language program based on Swedish methods)
They’ll do some math exercises in a form of mazes, solving easy logical tasks. They’ll have basics of geography – starting with their school setting, and maybe naming the streets around. But again, it all depends on the teacher.
They’ll also have science with experiments and learning about plants or animals. There will be a music class with singing. In other words they will be well occupied, and learn a whole bunch of things in a playful and engaging way.
THE DROP OFF: 8h00-8h45
Drop off is from 8:00 till 8:45. Provide your child with a small snack for the morning recess (la recrée): a sandwich, a fruit, dry fruits, a bit of cheese or whatever you want. You’re completely free to choose, unless the school decides otherwise (eg nosweets on certain days).
In some of the schools parents can walk in with their child only for the first 2 months of the school year (upon drop off, and to collect them). Other schools let parents in the full 1P and beyond. But in most, as of 2P you will be asked to stay outside, and your child will enter the school on their own.
THE LUNCH BREAK: 11h30-13h30/14h00
The lunch break is long. It lasts from 11:30, and finishes with an afternoon drop off from 13:30 till 14:00.
During lunch break, children from 1P eat their lunch, have a relax time (they lie down for 20-30 minutes, it is not a nap time). They can bring a cover, a pillow, and something to cuddle.
They can eat lunch at school with « parascolaire » (paid option) or be brought home to eat.
SCHOOL’S OUT
Schools out at 16h:00 every day. There is no school on Wednesdays for 1-4P. From 5P kids go to school on Wednesdays but only till 11:30 (there is no lunch or parascolaire option on Wednesdays).
After-school care, « parascolaire », exists in all schools in canton Geneva. Children are taken care of from 16h till 18h. Parascolaire is managed in most municipalities by GIAP, not by schools. The activities during these two hours vary a lot from one municapility to another, and even between schools in the same municipality in the canton.
Holidays outside the set school breaks? You have to ask the school for approval and it is decided on case by case basis. If it’s less than 4 days of school leave, the teacher will decide, if it’s more the director of the school will make the decision. You should hand it in, ideally, at least 14 days in advance.
Exception: Jeûne genevois, that always happens in the beginning of the school year – you can hand in the request in the first few days of the school year to have a long weekend.
I wish you all a great first year of school in Geneva!
Geneva, Geneva for beginners, Places
The first thing you need to know before reading this article is that I worked for Spell Languages for a year in the past and witnessed how amazing this school is no matter which teacher takes the class, no matter what age kids are, and no matter which language they are learning.
ABOUT SPONSORED ARTICLES
So yes, this is a sponsored article, one of those that pay my bills, but as always on Parentville, even a paid article appears here only because I believe the service or the product is worth sharing with you. As a result, every month, I turn down several paid collaborations. Either the brand does not meet my values, or I don’t think it will be useful for you.
Back to the topic.
Back in the past, I thought the one thing that was missing at Spell was the parent-child classes. But what I had in mind were lessons for kids. The idea could have not been realized back then. Now that Kasia, the founder of Spell Languages, is a fresh mom, she understood my idea and, as usual with her, took it to another level!
As a result, Spell now offers French classes for adults with kids!
MOMS WITH KIDS
Let me explain. You take your baby or your toddler, and without needing to find a creche, a nanny, or booking the grandma, you can go and learn French!
I participated in one of these classes the other day. It was wonderful! All adults and kids sitting on a colourful flow, pillows available, toys and children’s books in the middle. The teacher started revising passé composé and l’imparfait (blah), the moment she would see kids needing more attention she would switch to a kid-friendly activity – a song. Not any song though, but one that would be fun for kids, and bring new vocab to parents. A perfect mix!
Parents will also learn to read, acquire new vocab through children’s’ books that they will be asked to read to their children.
It is just fantastic! I remember advising some of my friends to start learning French via simple kiddy songs and books. They’re simple yet rich in new words, and you can find a children’s book probably for all grammar problems!
This is how the lessons go. Moms are learning, kids playing, walking/crawling around the room, bubbling with one another. Worksheets are involved, and occasionally some voluntary homework.
The end of the lesson takes the form of a casual conversation.
FLEXIBILITY IS KEY
There is one more important thing for moms/dads/nannies in this course. Lessons happen three times a week, but it is totally up to you how often you will come. You purchase a “pass” that will be valid for a certain amount of time (a month – 110 CHF, a trimester – 320 CHF, a semester – 420 CHF) and within that time you come to as many lessons as you’d like! You can join once a week for a while, then come three times a week, then change again. Alternatively, you can purchase 1 lesson at a time (for 25 CHF).
It takes so much stress away! You are not obliged to come, and will not lose the money if your baby was up all night and you can barely think in your native tongue, not to mention a foreign one. Your toddler gets sick; it’s still ok – stay in, take care of yourself and your kids and come back when you’re all in good shape again!
Current groups work up from the intermediate levels, but a beginner’s French group will start soon as well.
THE STAFF
The staff is gentle, helpful, used to working with small munchkins so they will never be disturbed with a child crying, singing, or making a mess. They will even assure your kid is safe and sound while it’s your turn to solve a grammar exercise.
LOCATION
The Spell Language centre is located in Geneva Old Town, at the Place de Bourg de Four. It is an old building without a lift or a place to leave the prams downstairs, but do not worry! A smiling Spell employee will come down to you and take your pram up and then down again. No hustle.
This is how it is at Spell: smiles, help, flexibility, and a solution to every problem small and big.
I wholeheartedly urge you to try these classes and be better prepared for when your child starts school or any form of a French-speaking social life. That is not even to be able to talk to the teachers and other parents but to avoid not understanding your kids talking about you their friends… (they will turn into teenagers sooner than you expect). 😉
Geneva, Geneva for beginners
Why anyone would consider public schools in Geneva as the right choice for their children?
Many private schools in Geneva offer fabulous programs, with a rich program of high-quality after-school activities, trips to fascinating places, and individualised care.
Of course, international schools are probably best for those kids who change countries every couple of years. The international system will make it easier for them to continue wherever they go. But even for those coming here for just a year or two, the answer is not always straightforward.
For many families, this choice does not exist due to budget limits. Many dream they could place their children in one of many excellent private schools but can’t afford it without going on a 100% potato diet for life.
So why is it that so many parents in choose public schools in Geneva, even though they don’t have to?
I didn’t want to guess, so I asked the parents on 2 of Parentville’s Facebook groups precisely that. I received an overwhelming amount of private messages, and here’s a roundup of what they said (in random order).
Integration
While many private schools teach children about local history, traditions, and culture, integration means more. It means knowing locals. Public school offers precisely that. It gives parents the opportunity to meet other local parents, and kids to meet their neighbors, as they will always attend the school close to their home. It is the best integration process according to many, and it’s free.
Diversity
One of the parents wrote: « I want my children to learn in a truly diverse environment, not in a bubble (as this is how I see most private schools, especially in rich Switzerland). One of my challenges as a parent is to make them aware that an average human on this planet lives in completely different conditions than they are. I want them to know that they are lucky to be born here and to have everything they could dream of. I want them to appreciate that, and at the same time to do whatever they can to help those in a less fortunate situation. »
Quality
Public schools in Geneva are good. Period. They are not great, not Swedish, not perfect – but which school is? Public schools in Geneva are simply good. Many parents refuse to pay high allowances for primary school, and instead, prefer to save that money for the university, or sabbatical year, or invest in great after-school activities. Many expats are terrified upon finding out that kids here do not learn how to write and read till they are 6-7 years old. But this has proven to be nothing but beneficial (LINK) for children (and the same has been done for years in many north and east-European countries). Here’s how Switzerland is doing in Pisa.
Social life
Children attend schools on a straightforward rule: the closest school to home. It means more probability that the way to school will be easy so that kids can try to walk on their own rather sooner than later. It also means they will meet tons of friends from their neighbourhood at the school. And that translates into hours of fun after school, on weekends, and even over the summer! At a very early age, they can become members of the local community and bring whole families closer. Strictly connected to point no 2 (integration).
Practicalities
School being close to home means drop offs and collection are easy. It also means neighbours can help each other out when needed! And have I mentioned making friends in the hood?
Language
No language course can never teach you a language like life can. Teachers will teach them the official language, but their friends will show them the customs, the nuances, the kiddy slang, the teen slang. It all will make them native speakers in a very natural way.
Higher education
Some of the parents participating in my research pointed out that not all private schools offer diplomas allowing them to attend Swiss universities, or even the vocational training program (which in Switzerland is quite amazing!). It does not mean it is impossible for them to get to local schools, it is just more complicated. Public schools graduates apparently have easier access to local universities, and at the same time can apply for abroad programs no problem. I haven’t personally checked that information. If you have any input on that, I will highly appreciate!
It is by no means an article pointing out which school is better. Private schools have plenty of advantages! Just sometimes they are presented to incoming expats as the only right decision. There is no right or wrong here. Each system has different strengths.
A big thank you to all those who participated via comments, email, and private messages! It was fantastic to meet you virtually and hear your point of view!
Please, do not hesitate to comment/msg/email with your thoughts, no matter what they are!
Other articles you might be interested in:
Geneva for beginners
Annoyingly, most of the times children get sick, is at night, or during the school holidays. Do you know where to go when it happens? Which pediatric emergency in Geneva can take you in? What qualifies as an emergency anyway?
When it comes to night-time/evening and holidays care, Geneva has quite a lot of options. But it’s important to know how to use them. Some are walk-in emergency wards of hospitals, others require an appointment.
if you’re not sure whether your child requires an urgent medical help, a brilliant app Info Kids by HUG can help you out (in French only). You can read all about it in this article on Parentville.
The life-threatening emergencies require a call for an ambulance over at 144 or 112. For intoxication cases help, dial 145.
Not every emergency requires an ambulance though. Where to go then?
WALK-IN facilities.
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- HUG Urgences Pediatrique. The biggest, and the best equipped emergency ward in Geneva. But because of the overload parents are asked to use it only when really in need, when urgent. Opened 7/7, 24/7. Their website is available in English, too.
- Grangettes – though it is a private clinic, its emergency ward for children will accept holders of every type of insurance. Opened all week long, from 9 am till 10 pm. Check out all the necessary information here on their website.
Appointment only.
In these places pediatricians are available for emergency consultation. Available during the week from 6pm till 10 pm, and on weekends from 8 am till 10pm.To get help in these places call as soon as you can to schedule an appointment. They can be all reached under the same telephone number: 0844 022 022.
- Centre médico-chirurgical des Eaux-Vives. To schedule an appointment, you can also call 0227 360 611, or book online here.
Home visits 24/7.
If you want to help your child asap, but the case doesn’t require an urgent medical intervention, you can also ask for a home visit with one of the 2 companies. If they think it’s needed they will transfer your call directly to the ambulance dispatch, or tell you to go to the hospital.
- Geneve Medecins: for website and phone numbers please click here.
- SOS Medecins: follow this link to reach their website.
24/7 pharmacies.
Sometimes, all you need is a bottle of over-the-counter medicine to control your child’s fever, or an OR solution, to hydrate him after a bad vomiting series.
- There are 2 pharmacies at the airport opened till 9 pm daily. One is located in the CFF station, the other on the departure level.
- The pharmacy on the main train station, is opened every day till 11 pm. Click here for details.
- Every day 2 pharmacies are opened in Geneva 24/7, but it is not always the same pharmacy. You can check the « pharamcie de garde » for each day on this website.
Geneva for beginners
Pregnant in Geneva, and now what?
This guide is filled with information for all of you who found themselves pregnant in Geneva and are unsure of what needs to be done, when, or where.
(suite…)
Geneva for beginners
Apart from using Parentville, Facebook, and Google, what are your online resources for finding places to go, brands to check out, and events to attend? You might be surprise but following certain parents on Instagram might give your more insight on the city, than any other online source!
Instagram can definitely take some getting used to. The biggest hurdle which most people face at some point is having a limited number of followers. This can be frustrating as it means that your posts will get fewer engagements (likes, comments etc.) and won’t be getting the appreciation they deserve! Some people choose to take the long route and authentically grow their follower count, whilst others take a shortcut and use a growth tool like Kicksta (although you might want to read the review at https://platypusreviews.com/kicksta/ before committing to that). However, arguably the most frustrating thing when starting on Instagram is having no clue who to follow. You don’t want to follow any old account, as you want to see posts which will actually interest you and help you. So here below is a list of Instagramers essential for parents in Geneva. All you need is an Instagram account, and click « follow » at the every account you want to follow. You don’t need to post any pictures yourself (though once you start, it gets addictive).
Here they are:
@lespetitsgenevois
Instagram account of probably the most informative French-speaking blogger for families in the region. It’s an endless source of information, ideas, and interviews with fascinating locals.
@BereniceSuisse
An incredibly positive and optimistic mom of 3. Observing their journey is a joy, and her daughter’s outfits are the sweetest!
@ChicKids
A restaurant quality label: allows you to find restaurants with the infrastructure that suits every family
@Ecoccinelles
Everything nature, montessori, bio: « born to be green! »
@Genferin
Mom of 3 sharing pretty pics of her everyday life.
@Lamaisondecolette
A lot of inspiration for parents and children alike!
@Mel_nyn
A full of ideas mom of a sweet boy, and a curious, passionate blogger.
@Mirrorsdonotlie
an instagram account of a inspirational blogger: food, shopping, parenting
@Parentvillegva
Behind the scenes, personal side of Parentville, kids friendly places and events, pictures of the city
@roli1219
Stunning pictures of a certain fairy and Geneva (especially of the architectural pearl of the city – le Lignon)
@thesistertheory
Geneva, travel destinations, kids activities.
@velocargogeneva
everything about the bikes, presenting many ways to transport kids with the bike.
Hope to see you soon on Instagram, and in the meantime remember to leave your email here and never miss a post!
