A number of organizations and institutions can provide child care if needed. Among the most important are nurseries (Krippen), day-care centers (Kindertagesstätten), and play groups (Spielgruppen).
+ Information on day-care centers for young children
+ Kinderkrippen

The pamphlet „Spielend gross werden“ („Growing up is child’s play“) provides an overview of the various child-care and counseling options for pre-school children and their parents in Lucerne.

The two agencies Frauenzentrale Luzern and Leolea can assist in finding nannies and arranging day-care in a family setting.
+ www.frauenzentraleluzern.ch
+ http://www.leolea.ch/lu_en/index.php

If your child is cared for in one of the approved day-care centers or day-care families, you can apply for day-care vouchers. The amount of assistance is dependent upon the amount of time the child is in day-care as well as the workload and income of the parents.

Families in financially difficult situations can, with the assistance of the director of the day-care facility, apply to the city for financial aid. Please inquire directly at the day-care facility as to the types of financial support that are available.

+ Child-care vouchers

There is a wide range of possible ways to meet other families with young children in the city of Lucerne. Playgrounds are important meeting places for parents with children. Libraries and Ludotheks (toy „libraries“) are also important meeting places for parents and their children.

Mother-or father-and-child (MUKI/VAKI) courses, such as singing, gymnastics, or toddlers’ groups (Krabbelgruppen). These are offered by various neighborhood groups or church parishes. You can inquire in your neighborhood or at your church.
You can find a list of the neighborhood offices in Lucerne at the Department of Neighborhood Activities (Fachstelle Quartierarbeit)

In the summer, it is particularly worthwhile to visit the beaches and outdoor swimming pools in and around Lucerne, for example, at the “Aufschütte”, Tribschen, or the Lido.
+ List of beaches and pools

Counseling for mothers and fathers in Lucerne (Mütter- und Väterberatung Luzern):
The counselors assist parents in adapting to their new role and are available to answer any questions in regard to the child and family that arise during the first four years. If necessary, counseling for foreign-language families can be provided with the aid of intercultural mediators.
+ www.muetterberatung-luzern.ch

CONTACT family counseling (Familienberatung):
The family counselors advise you as parents as well as the entire family on questions of child-raising.
http://www.contactluzern.ch/contact

The Emergency telephone for parents (Elternnotruf) is available for anonymous and confidential assistance and advice 24 hours a day (0848354555).

You can find a variety of useful information on the topic of being parents as well as multilingual materials (such as children’s verses in 12 languages or tips on developing language skills) on the website Elternbildung.ch. You can find courses and meetings dealing with child-raising topics in the canton Lucerne on the online calendar of events.

Familienbar is an option for parents with migrant backgrounds that offers discussion groups on child-raising topics in various languages.

It is important for parents and other caregivers to talk frequently and imaginatively with the child in its first language.

Visiting a play group or day-care center (Kita) facilitates speaking and interacting with other children and adults. In many of these play groups and Kitas, language development is deliberately stimulated. You can inquire directly at the center or group.

In kindergarten, early development of mainly German-language skills is emphasized, so that a two-year kindergarten program is recommended for many children.

For those who want to participate in sports in their free time, Lucerne offers a large selection of sports clubs; most of them are listed on the internet.

Information on tournaments for school children organized by the local sports clubs can be found on the Lucerne city website.

The city of Lucerne offers Creative and Sports Weeks during the Easter and Fall school vacations. Children and young people can choose from about 90 different creative and athletic courses.