The Town and surrounding area of Winterthur offers a wonderful and safe enviroment for children of all ages. Access to the center is easy and the pedestrianisation of the old town makes shopping simple and convienient.

Younger children can enjoy the Park and playareas, while your teenager can safely take the local transport to the ice skating rink, Block (an indoor skateborading and go-carting hall) or visit the cinema.

Here are some links to individual Websites to find more information:

Schools:
The public schools in Winterthur are very good. You can find more information about the schooling system and the schools under www.schule.winterthur.ch. Other educational instituions can be found under www.bildung.winterthur.ch.

International School Winterthur: The International School offers a day school for children from 3 to 16 years from all nationalities. The school follows the International Baccalaureate Organisation of studies incorporating the Primary and Middle Years Programmes. There are currently 18 nationalities at the school.

The Swiss International School is a bi-lingual day school (German and English), situated close to the center of Winterthur for kids from 3 to 12 years. More information under www.swissinternationlschool.ch

Winterthur offers numerous activities including ice-skating, swimming, hockey, tennis and so much more:

Things to do:
Indoor activity center for teenagers BLOCK :This is a fantastic indoor area containing a modern climbing wall, a go-karting track, a skateboarding area, a volleyball court and much more.The center is mainly for teenagers.

The city of Winterthur offers a very wide range of sporting facilities with over 300 different clubs and associations to a very high standard. More details can be found on: Sport in Winterthur

Jazz, Step & Ballet are offered by a dynamic dance studio. The classes are grouped according to age and the teachers have international experience. Click on the following link to gain a better insight:Tanz Studio

Wednesdays Afternoons: most schools close early on Wednesdays and if your child is not in a club (hockey/football etc), you may be at a loss what to do! So two school gyms are open to school kids from grade 2 - 6. Check out www.schulsport.winterthur.ch & then freiwilliger schulsport for all the information.

Winterthur Public Library (Stadtbibliothek) Museumstrasse 52, Winterthur.
Tel: 052 267 5145. The Library offers a good selection of videos, DVD and books in English and many other languages. There is a reading session for smaller children (in English on Tuesdays). There is also an outdoor café.

Babysitting/Childminders:
There are private babysitting agencies and babysitting clubs organized by parents of the local community. Check with your Gemeindezentrum (community Office).
Care 4 kids. Freiestrasse 72, 8032 Zurich. Tel: 01 252 9786
Babysitters and training. Care 4 kids maintains a list of some 200 screened and qualified babysitters ranging in age from 14 and up.
The Stork’s Nest. Wasserwies 11, 8712 Stafa. Tel: 01 926 5748.

Please note: there is a list of Babysitters provided by the Council on the German web site of the Winterthur Tourist/city Guide site. Go to Nightlife and there is an sentence saying babysitters. Hopefully you can find a person in your area or go to: www.familienservice.ch

Childminders (Tagesmutter/daymother): A Tagesmutter will care for children in her own home. Children are integrated into daily life. The Tagesmutterverein (Association of Childminders) can help match families to caregivers.

Nannies: Childcare Service Zuirch, Zahringerstrasse 26, 8001 Zurich. 01 254 6050.

Schweizer Nanny Services, Muhlestrasse 18, 8192 Glattfelden. 078 662 7353.

Gymboree: These centers offer a progression of developmentally graded play, music and arts classes for 0 - 5 year olds. The language is often English, French, German or Spanish.