Geneva
No matter if you’re new to Geneva or have lived here for several years, when you start looking at childcare system it can give you a headache. In some cases childcare here is quite similar to a preschool Castle Rock childcare system where you are probably from, but there are some differences that you should get to grips with. I certainly got one or two headaches while preparing to write this guide. With a help of glass of wine here and there, I finally understand what is what.
You have two choices now, either grab a bottle of wine, start googling and gain the knowledge on your own or save some time and read this guide (wine or no wine).
Family day-care
L’Accueil Familial de Jour – AFJ, also known as « maman du jour » (a day-mum).
It’s a semi-official day care usually provided by a stay at home mum, who accepts other children of different ages. The commune assures the training and the salary of « day-mums ». The city of Geneva and communes of Geneva Canton each have their own associations that unite the « mamans du jours » working in their area. It is a very popular form of childcare as it combines a cosy home-like environment and company of other children. For prices and availability check appropriate association of your commune.
Nurseries (public and private).
The crèche, as they are called in French, are destined for children aged 0-4. In general children can start attending at the end of mom’s maternity leave up to the age of 4 or school age.
The algorithm used to assign the places is a well-guarded secret of the authorities. What we know is that you have best chances to get in if:
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- you enrol at the beginning of your pregnancy,
- if both parents work, if both parents live and work in the same commune of the canton.
- The priority is normally given to families living in the area of the crèche, not to those working in the neighbourhood.
For public crèche in the City of Geneva you apply through BIP (Bureau d’Information Petite Enfance). Most of the nurseries are attached to a certain area (a sector) and provide care only for children living within that area. The few nurseries not belonging to any sectors are for everyone in the City. Don’t be surprised of you’re informed the waiting time is 1 year or more.
Nurseries work Mondays through Fridays, usually 10h a day. You have to register for a minimum of 2 days per week. Prices in public nurseries depend on household income. A minimum price for the full time in public nursery is 1670 CHF.
The rules are more or less the same in communes other than the City of Geneva.
For details check with your local Mairie.
Kindergarten (« Jardin d’Enfant »).
Kindergartens accept from 2 years of age up to school age. It’s very important to remember that your child’s needs to turn 2 before July 31st to be accepted for following September. Children born after July 31st (August-December) will be accepted a year later.
Kindergartens offer half-day care, without nap time or meals, though one snack is offered. You can choose to attend either mornings or afternoons. They are closed between noon and 1:30 pm every day and fully closed on Wednesdays. Minimum attendance is 2 half days.
The application process is exactly the same as for the nurseries, as is the waiting time…
Occasional nursery (halte garderie).
Offers care for children on occasional basis, usually upon reservation. Each halt-garderie has different rules for the age of kids it can host, opening times and reservation procedures.
The most popular one is located in the Old Town of Geneva. The other, « La Zone Bleu » was established to help mothers who are still in school/universities and those looking for a job. Some communes have additional « halte garderies » available for children living within commune’s borders.
Emergency child care
Nanny got sick? Your child got sick and can’t go to nursery but you have this important meeting at work? No problem. There are solutions.
The most popular and trusted one solution is offered by Swiss Red Cross. The other is called « Crèche depannage » (a repair nursery). One of them is located in Champel: Crèche de Dent au Lait, another one is located in Paquis
Also, in an emergency you can try using qualified Red Cross Geneva sitters, or Tadadam app!
Babysitters/Nannnies
The least complicated to organize of all possibilities. You can look through agencies, internet groups and boards, friends and even with the Red Cross Geneva (which also has options for urgently needed childcare). Remember to ask your neighbors too. In some instances, more personal help may be available to those who need child care and everything that comes along behind it. An au pair may be the right avenue to go down in this instance, and companies such as Go Au Pair can assist in finding the right fit for you and your family.
L’Accueil Adulte-Enfant, ludotheque
This is not childcare, but can help you maintain sane. These places had been created for parents and children to meet and play. Children must always be accompanied by an adult.
Any questions or info you would like to share with other parents?
Please, comment below!
Geneva
Geneva is ideally located for a mini-vacation! Short trips in Switzerland itself, trips to France or Italy – are all within few hours drive! I’m happy to tell you that Laura from Let’s Explore agreed to share her picks for 5 short spring breaks from Geneva over at Parentville! Here they are:
Photo credits: Letsexplore.ch
SAFARI AND A PALAIS
Distance from Geneva: 215 km. By car: 2h30
Read the whole review here.
For a long time, I did not even know Safari de Peaugres existed! Safari de Peaugres is a very well-maintained zoo and a safari park. When you arrive at the entrance, you will see that there are two ways to visit the place. You have the part by foot, and you have the part where you drive your car through the zoo and the children will be able to observe the animals in from their own comfortable car seat.
The zoo is quite big and there are beautiful playgrounds!
From the area of the Safari de Peaugres, at less than an hour’s drive, you can also visit the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval which is often listed as one of the most extraordinary places in the world! You can read more about it here on Let’s Explore.
LUCERNE AND THE TRANSPORT MUSEUM
Distance from Geneva: 264 km. By car: 2h43
Read the whole review here.
I wish we had stayed longer in Lucerne, and I think we will definitely go back! Our main reason to go to Lucerne was the Swiss Transport Museum that you may have already heard about on Parentville’s Instagram. This museum is really one of the most beautiful museums I have seen in Switzerland so far, and what I like most is that children can play, touch and discover while learning! Our children liked seeing all the planes, trains and cars, they like sliding down the airplane slide, and they absolutely loved the ‘construction work themed’ play area outside where they could get on the miniature vehicles by themselves! The museum is so big that I don’t think we’ve seen it all…
Lucerne itself is a beautiful city with picturesque medieval bridges, beautiful buildings, the lake side and surrounding mountain tops. Next time we go back, I would definitely like to take a boat ride to Vitznau and then go up on Mount Rigi with the cogwheel train!
VOLCANOES IN AUVERGNE
Distance from Geneva: approx. 340 km. By car: 3h30
Read the whole review here.
This region is so beautiful we have already gone twice. The landscape with so many volcanoes is just amazing and the view from the Puy de Dome is very beautiful! To go to the Puy de Dome you can take a panoramic train up.
One of the activities I loved in this area is our family hike to the crater of the Puy Pariou. It is quite a well-known volcano as it is the one you see on the Volvic water bottle. Our children took some small volcanic rocks home that they found during our hike and they are one of the most special treasures they keep in their room.
We also went to Vulcania, an educational park that also has some cool rides and attractions! So, if your children are interested in volcanoes, the Auvergne is the place to go to!
TICINO REGION
Distance from Geneva, depending on your route, to Lugano: approx. 400 km. By car: 4h30
Read the whole review here.
A bit further away from Geneva, but definitely worth it if you have a couple of days to spend. Often people just continue their journey to Italy, but the Ticino region is very beautiful and the two countries can easily be combined. We went to Lugano, but during our stay we also took a boat ride on the Italian Como lake.
Lugano is great in summer and has a nice southern feel and atmosphere. We took the picturesque train up to Monte Bré for stunning views of city, the lake and the mountains. If you get off one stop earlier at the town of Bré you will be able to find some Grotto restaurants which are typical for the Ticino.
In Lugano itself the public swimming pool, which is located on the shores of the lake, is very nice, and it has a very good kids pool.
When we were there, we also went to Bellinzona one day to visit a castle. If you are there on a weekend, there is a very well-known market in Bellinzona on Saturday’s.
Aosta
Distance from Geneva: 133 km. By car: 1h50
Read the whole review here.
The real feeling of being in Italy, in less than 2 hours by car! Aosta is often called the ‘Rome of the Alps’ and it is one of the best preserved Roman cities. Even though I have been to Italy plenty of times, I was really impressed by the good state the Roman theatre of Aosta is still in. All Roman and historical sites are easily accessible by foot and parents with young children will love the car-free town center to walk around in! The center of course also hosts a fair choice of nice restaurants to complete your Italian experience for the weekend.
The region of Aosta is also known for snow activities in winter and there are of course nice mountain walks to be done in the area in spring or summer.
Laura started her Let’s Explore family travel blog because she likes writing, travelling, and inspiring other families to get out there and explore!
She believes that children are very curious travelers and likes the fact that they ask you plenty of interesting questions while travelling that you would not have thought of, and on things you wouldn’t have seen if they had not been there. Travelling as a family will create memories to cherish and allows you to spend special time together in your busy lives.
You can visit her website to find out about other destinations, and if you would like to stay tuned on her travel tips, you can follow her Facebook Page!
Geneva
Let me introduce you to Les Chtites Suisses, 2 badass women from the neighborhood: Isaline and Maité. Two friends, two mothers, two countries, 6 children in total, and a common passion for adventure. In search for a challenge, a boost in their everyday lives, they discovered (and signed up for) the Le Trophée Roses des Sables.
Action. Sharing. Solidarity.
The Sand Roses Trophy is a female-only raid on a dessert. Its existence is a part of common knowledge in the French-speaking countries. The goal of this Morocco-based raid is to not to get lost, to reach all the control points, and have fun. It’s not at all about who will reach the final line first.
The next edition: October 2018!
The participants, aka the Roses, come to the raid not only with their equipment. In their trunks they bring support for disadvantaged children of the dessert. This is an important element of the raid for each participant. It is one of the main reasons they join the challenge. You can help too, by supporting your chosen team (Les Chtites Suisses of course), you’re supporting the cause!
Les Chtites Suisses – our local Roses.
Let’s go back to Isaline and Maité. They’re one of us. A French expat, and a Swiss. A working mom of 2, and a stay at home mom of 4. Both in need of some strong self-challenging boost. As I said, they are one of us.
Maité, French from the North, a social educator, and a mother of 2. She discovered automotive sports with her husband and been thinking about joining a rally or raid since, but of course with marriage and kids those « extravagant » dreams had to wait. As a social educator she has always dreamt of participating in a humanitarian project. That’s why she jumped up with a yupiii when Isaline asked her to become her badass in crime in the Trophee des Roses du Sable!
Isaline, Swiss from Vaud, a renown blogger over at thereseandthekids.ch, and a stay-at-home mother of… 4! She is a real doer: when she realized there is no special place in the region for a child to say goodbye to a dummy, she called Signal de Bougy and voila, as of March 24th, 2018, there will be a special dummy tree! As a full time mother she finds it essential to leave her comfort zone this way or another from time to time. She wants to show her children the importance of « daring »: « No matter the way, no matter what the difficulties and what people think, if it suits us, we like it, we must dare to be ourselves ».
Together we go further.
Because Switzerland is our home now, and because the locals are our people – I ask you all to support Isaline and Maité by whatever means possible! You can order and distribute Tombola tickets (with lots of really cool gifts to win!), spread the word, or participate in the events they will be organizing. They need your help to help the children of the desert, to fill their trunks with meaningful donations. They are already supported by several organizations, and are still looking for partners, that will help them make the dream come true!
How about a Parentville team for the Sand Roses Trophy 2019?
Who’s in?
Geneva
InfoKids is THE app every parent should have and ask their nanny to download it too. The Geneva Cantonal Hospital (HUG) went digital and they’re rocking it!
We’ve all had those moments of doubt: is it nothing or life threatening? Should I go to ER now or call my doc in the morning? What do I do in between?
The pediatric emergency ward of the cantonal hospital (HUG) decided to help us all and created an app that answers all these questions. Unfortunately it is only available in French (another reason to learn French with Parentville even if you’re not planning to stay here long).
Fill in all the info
After downloading the app you will be asked to fill in your contact details, and basic info about your child/children. This includes the insurance number, chronic illnesses, and medications taken on a regular basis.
All that info will be transferred securely to HUG in case you ever tap on “I’m coming to ER now”.
How does it work?
When needed, open the app and choose one of the following:
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- my child is unconscious -> app will ask you to call 144 immediately ( you can do so from the app!)
- My child is sick -> choose what is going on exactly and follow the advise. It will tell you what symptoms should make you come to hug asap, and which symptoms can wait 24h for a doctor’s consultation. The app will also advise what you can do at home to help your kid.
- My child has had an accident -> choose the type of the accident. The app will tell you, based on your child’s symptoms, whether you should come to ER, consult a doctor later, and what to do at home.
In each of these sections you can also click on “I’m coming to ER”, the app will then ask for your location, offer to guide you via google maps, and will inform the ER that you’re coming and for what reason.
What’s more, the report of your consultation at the ER will be uploaded to the app, so you have access to the medical info at all times!
Waiting time in HUG on your screen
You can also use the InfoKids app to check the current waiting status in the HUG’s ER. The same screen is placed in the actual waiting room of the pediatric emergency room.
The red line is reserved for those coming with ambulances or arriving with problems requiring immediate help (life threatening cases). The further you are from the life-threatening line, the longer you’ll wait. Those on the blue line, to Parentville’s knowledge, are those who could have waited to see a doctor outside of ER.
It is up to the triage nurse at the entry to decide which color line your child will be assigned to. Please trust they know what they are doing. And remember, the longer you wait, the better. It only means there is nothing serious happening with your kid.
Everyone who has been to ER, and was seen by a doctor without waiting even 5 minutes, knows how freaking scary it is.
It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go to ER when things are not very bad. A lot of times you should go, so things won’t turn very bad! Just please, accept the fact you will wait a bit. Those coming with their lives in risk, must be treated first.
Geneva
Have you ever summed up how much time you spend searching for birthday gifts? Have you ever summed up how many unsuitable, unwanted, or not needed presents your kid received?
It is estimated that every year around 40 billion gifts are bought globally, worth around 1.6 Tn$ (sic!). Approximately 20% of these presents go to waste for reasons stated above. We’re talking about 8Bn gifts (320 Bn$) that surely could have been used to do something good!
Wish Gift For Good – WiGiGo
The pile of gifts after my daughter’s last birthday party made me think about the waste birthdays produce on every front. Especially the amount of money wasted for gifts the child already has, or gifts she will never use. The best gifts have always come from the kids, whose parents had asked what would make the birthday girl happy. If only I could create a user-friendly wish-list…
Well, luckily there are parents who don’t just wonder but actually act. Among them are Geneva-based parents of 2, Alberto and Cinzia. They created WiGiGo Kids – an app that let’s you create a gift list, share it, and and teach kids about charity all at the same time.
The couple started researching and found a way to limit the gift-waste, the money-waste, and increase children’s satisfaction. They also found a way to use the same tool to help build a school in Africa. It’s all in just 1 app – WiGiGo. If that’s not a gift-giving revolution, what is?
Gifting made easy
With WiGiGo the whole gifting present is simplified for all parties involved. Imagine gifts arriving at your house every now and then, instead of getting all in one day. Imagine not having have to carry the piles of gifts home after the party – they’re already home (at least most of them).
WiGiGo app lets you create a wish-list, and share it (by sending a special code) with family/friends/invitees worldwide via email or text. When creating the list involve your kid for the best results! The app is connected to Amazon.com and Zalando.co.uk. You can browse products, search for particular goods, or look at app’s suggestions.
People you shared the list with will not be required to fill in the form with your address or any other details. They will be able to get exactly what your child desires in less than 2 minutes. They can also choose whether to deliver the gift directly to you, or to them for personal wrapping.
You can find out more about the functionality and the goal of the app, on WiGiGo’s website.
Spreading happiness one gift at a time
With each purchase, 1 EUR will be given to a charity in Boston, whose goal is to build schools in Mali, Africa – buildaschoolinAfrica.org. You can even ask for donations as gifts! In that case your child will receive a printed thank you card from whoever « bought » the donation.
WiGiGo Kids was launched in November 2017 and has already gathered 20% of the amount needed!t. I hope you will consider to support this project! Let’s help them build as many schools, as there is a need for!
If we want this world to become a better, an a safer place, we need to start with our families. Just imagine how many meaningful conversation you can have with your child while using this application.
Geneva
TATOUT is a great school of a peaceful defence for children and adults. They work on helping people to find the right techniques, the strength, and self-confidence that will scare bullies away without the need for physical violence. It’s a rather peaceful and diplomatic approach (so Swiss!).
FIGHT THE BULLY
Some children need a little help to become more assertive or self-confident to protect themselves from the mean behaviour of others. If you’re a parent of such a child, you might be thinking about what I had been thinking few years ago. Best way to deal with it is to sign them up to some martial art classes, where they could learn how to successfully and physically fight the bullies. I searched and searched, and then a friend told me about TATOUT.
THE ARMADILLO
« Tatout » is French for armadillo (or cingulata if we want to be very specific). Armadillo has a shell to protect himself from attacks, to hide – these is one of his protection tools, his « atouts » (eng. assets). Every animal has a way to protect itself whereas it’s an ability to climb trees, a tail to fight off flies, poisonous stings, or fast legs.
HOMO SAPIENS
The self-defence school named after that strangely-looking animal – Tatout – is all about helping kids find and use their own assets: the body language, the look, and the tone of voice.
We tried a private lesson for Z. We worked for one hour on her posture, her voice, and how to use her eyes. We were left with exercises to do with her at home from time to time. We quickly saw a difference in the way she was dealing with the negative behaviours of her some of her peers. Her assertiveness was always there (especially at home…); it just needed a confidence boost and tools!
TATOUT
Tatout offers the whole range of courses for kids, teens, and adults. They organise courses for schools, companies, hospital staff, etc. Their approach is adapted to particular needs, and can include martial-arts-like protection guidelines!
I have their number in my phone just in case we ever need some more training. Just knowing their help is available, helps a lot with mamma-lion anxiety.
Geneva
You love to jump in puddles? Me too. You love cuddles? Me too. You like to play with friends? Me too. You love ice cream? Me too. You go to school? Well, me too… but I go to a different school.
Geneva is proud to nurture diversity in public schools, but it’s often linked to social backgrounds and nationalities. Not many people know about the struggles of disabled children’s parents.
Diversity should be about recognizing all kinds of differences. In the end, no matter the health status, nationality, race, or religion, we are all humans from birth. Being excluded from the society in any way is hurtful for the one excluded, but it is also a mistake the society will pay in the future.
In order to raise awareness of the inclusion problem, the « Moi Aussi, » association has launched an exhibition under the same name. The exhibition consists of 21 photographs of individuals with Down Syndrome captured in their daily life.
After touring Switzerland, the exhibition has now arrived in Vernier, home of one of the photo stars. It will be displayed in front of the German school till January 7, 2018. The grand opening will take place on Friday, November 24 at 16h45. All you need to do is to take bus number 6, 28, 18, and get off the « Champ Claude » stop. By exiting the bus you’ll find yourself directly at the exhibition.
We consider ourselves a modern society but what does it even mean when disabled children and adults still have to fight for inclusion!
It’s clear that some kids with developmental delays or special needs are in need of carefully adapted education. And many of them could attend a normal school with a help of a dedicated assistant. Some kids with physical disabilities struggle with school only because the building is not adapted.
It’s a bummer.
When I talk to educators, and teachers, they often talk about children these days lacking respect, discipline, and empathy. To be honest, the latter scares me the most.
It’s at this very young age that children can learn to work together with people who look and sound different to them, but also it is an opportunity to learn about one another’s particular needs.
Children with Down Syndrome (and other disabilities) can hugely benefit from the access to « normal » creches, and schools. Moreover the rest of the kids can benefit immensely from having a friend with special needs, warm heart, and a sweet smile.
If you’d like to get involved in any way, or send your donation, the association’s website has all the details you need in both English and French.
Geneva
Spooky weekend ahead! You’ll be positively surprised by how many places in Geneva have planned spooky treats for the kids, Some of them are new, some happen every year. Have you already been to any of these places? Halloween for kids in Geneva!
Parc Pré Vert, Signal de Bougy. October 29.
Make ups, creative « parcours », cortege, and mini disco. The whole program on the pic below – click on it to learn more. Attention! Some activities require reservation.
Kids Club in Coppet. November 4. For Kids aged 2-9.
Bricolages, games snacks, Reserve your spot at [email protected] – limited places!
Geneva Drama Games. October 28. Kids aged 2-9.
Halloween party with games and crafts. Entry fee: 10 chf, prior reservation needed (you can book by clicking here)
Pro Natura Dardagny. October 28 (18h00-22h00).
Halloween evening at the restaurant with kids activities at the Restaurant Les Granges in Dardagny, one of the most charming places in the canton. Be sure to book before (click here for detail)!
Hotel Angleterre. 29th October.
Halloween Afternoon Tea with spooky activities for the kids over at Hotel d’Angleterre (including trick or treating, games, and their own special afternoon tea). To reserve a table simply call 022 906 55 14.
Parc Aventure in Evaux (Geneva). October 28 & November 3-4.
The treetop adventure park in Geneva available for kids as young as 3 years old has been decorated with scary elements already for the October vacation week. The park will be opened for night climbing fun on 28th October for children aged 7+, 3rd and 4th November from 19h00 till 23h00. Click here for more information. Online booking is obligatory for night-time fun!
Vitam Ludic. October 27-28.
A whole day of spooky fun topped with an evening party (this one for kids ONLY). More info in their FB event: here.
C L’Aventure, Annemasse. October 28 – November 5.
The whole week of make ups, animations, and dress ups! ALso a Halloween evening party (from 19h00) on October 31. Check their website for more details: link here.
Saint Genis Pouilly (France). October 27, 17h00.
Games, contests, dress up, Halloween hair style bar, food, and more. All in Saint Genis on Rue de Geneve. For more information please see this website.
Val Thoiry Commercial Center. October 25, 28, 31.
October 25: pumpkin curving. October 28: make ups and photos. Tuesday 31: make ups and afternoon tea for dressed up kids. More details available here.
Key English School, at BSG in Chatelaine. October 28.
Halloween workshop in English for kids of all levels of English. Entry fee: 40 chf. Prior booking required.
L’ile De Tortuga. October 31. 10h00-22h00
Games, make ups, dances. 1 monorail jeton offered to every child to arrive dressed up.
OTHER EVENTS
(ADDED QUICKLY SO JUST PICS)
Geneva
It feels like the school has only just started, yet here we are again on vacation. Vacances des patates, as they are commonly called in Geneva are not as easy to plan with the crazy changing autumn weather.
Luckily there are still many options to occupy little and bigger ones every day during this October vacation in Geneva and around.
- MParc in La Praille (attention! not La Praille commercial center) has prepared the whole week of creative workshops for the October vacation for kids aged 3-12! Every day from 10h00 till 18h00. Check out the planning below or click on it to open MParc’s website with more details.
- MAH Genève (link here) has prepared the whole week of kids activities and as always, they’re brilliant! The majority of planned workshops, concerts, and shows are aimed at kids aged 6-12, but on Friday there will be lots to do for younger audience. Click on the image below to download the program and all needed info,
- Maison de la Créativité (link here) is opened this week every day from 14h30 till 17h30, and on Saturday from 9h30 till noon, and from 14h30 till 17h30. If your kids are aged 0-6 (well, to best benefit 2-6) they will adore this 3 storeys old mansion transformed into every child’s dream. Each room serves a different activity be it playing with light, playing with light tables, building a ceramic lamp, using colourful tapes to create images, or exploring the world of science. Or maybe just hang out in the surrounding park-sized garden filled with other fun adventures.
- MEG (linke here) – the Geneva ethnographic museum prepared many activities together with the Théâtre des Marionnettes de Geneve. Most of them are aimed at children aged 8+, some are accessible to those aged 7.
- Hameau du Pere Noel is ready to welcome all Santa’s little friends close by in France. This week opened daily from 10h00 till 18h00. Santa can also help your kid get rid of the dummy – for every finished friendship with the dummy, Santa will offer one meal to a child in Cambodia. Fun place even during bad weather.
- Parc Aventure in Evaux, (for children aged 3+)this week opened daily from 10h00 til 18h00 and is filled with Halloween decorations. Speaking of Halloween the adventure park will be opened from 19h till 23h00 on the October 28, and November 3-4.
- Genève Sa Gueule (link here) – a portraits exposition showing the diversity of Geneva population with accompanying activities for children aged 6+, though younger are welcomed to join with an adult when the place is not very busy. Absolutely worth visiting.
OTHER PLACES WORTH VISITING HERE AND THERE, DURING OCTOBER VACATION IN GENEVA
For kids aged 0+
- Papiliorama (click here to see their website)- butterflies (and bats) paradise. Parentville recommended ♥
- C la Venture, in Annemasse (France): an indoor play-park. visit their website here.
- Vitam’Ludic (link) and Vitam swimming pools (click here for detailed info)
- L’ile de Tortuga – for all ages (more info here) – the biggest indoors playing area in France.
- Zoo la Garenne (more info here)
- Warm waters of Bains de Cressy (more info here) or Bain Bleu (here’s their website).
Geneva
I don’t how about you, but I think every special occasion deserves balloons, especially when it comes to kids. Do you know a kid who doesn’t like balloons? Well then, remember to save this article, because today I’m serving the best balloons in Geneva!
Sylvia came to Geneva from London over a year ago in 2016. She closed her balloon business in the UK, packed her bags, and came to Switzerland bringing her talent along with TOP BALLOON. Like most of expat women in the region, she moved here to follow the love of her life – another talented balloons professional from TAMPILIPE.
Upon coming to the French part of Switzerland she opened her balloon business – TOP BALLOON, and almost instantly started making decorations for weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events,
I had no idea there is such a thing as Certified Balloon Artist (CBA), I had no idea what incredible decorations can be made with balloons, and how classy they can be. Until I met Sylvia – one of only 2500 CB Artists worldwide. She showed me how incredible and rich in variety, and wonderful the balloon industry is!
So, imagine my big hooray jump when she contacted me with an offer to deliver some balloons to Z’s party.
Where they nice? Hell yeah! A transparent confetti-filled balloon with a custom made birthday wishes, 2 pregnant balloons (filled with other small balloons), a « party » balloon, and a big number 5 balloon, accompanied by a beautiful garland – because with TOP BALLOONS you can decorate your party with more than balloons.
Her beautiful decorations made the venue, a local « salle comunalle », really charming, and added a personal touch, without spending hours on decorating the room. The balloons were very sweet, and festive, yet elegant – exactly what I was looking for!
So, if yours kids birthday is coming up, believe me that even just few balloons will be great for the party. Or if your friend has just given birth, why not ordering one big beautiful balloon instead of flowers? Or maybe you’re preparing your best friend’s baby shower? TOP BALLOON will have ideas for you, for every occasion, and every taste.
And one more thing! Look at the picture below. These are the balloons in our place almost 2 weeks after the party, still looking perfect!
You can check out below an assorted gallery presenting what Sylvia is capable of doing with the balloons. Isn’t it amazing? If you crave even more balloon art, follow her on Instagram, for a daily those of balloony happiness!
By the way, if you’re looking for a birthday party venue for your 1-3 year old, check out some suggestions here.
