Job guide for nannies & babysitters

Finding nanny and babysitter jobs in Switzerland

Looking for a nanny or babysitter job in Switzerland? Here's where families actually search, how to stand out from the crowd, and how to make sure your job is properly registered - rather than cash-in-hand and unprotected. A practical guide, not a theory piece.

Reading time: 7 min · Last updated: June 2026

The essentials first

1Most jobs go through platforms, parent groups and referrals - rarely through classic job adverts.
2A babysitting course (e.g. with the SRK Red Cross) and a first-aid course are the fastest route to more requests and higher pay.
3The most jobs are in the cities and their suburbs: Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Zug and Lausanne.
4Don't accept a cash job without registration: only registered work gives you OASI, accident cover and a reference.

Where to find nanny and babysitter jobs

There's no single best channel - it depends on whether you babysit occasionally or want to work full-time as a professional nanny. Pick your situation below and see where you'll find the most.

Which path fits you?

Pick your situation - you'll instantly see the channels that work best for you.

Where to look

→A babysitting course with the SRK (Red Cross) - your best door-opener
→Babysitting platforms and matching apps
→Parent and neighbourhood groups on Facebook / WhatsApp
→Notice boards at daycares, playgroups, libraries and universities

Pro tip

The SRK babysitting course is cheap, quick and families search for it specifically. With the certificate you'll get far more requests.

What babysitting/nanny pays per hour →

How to stand out from the crowd

Families don't entrust their children to just anyone. These five things make you instantly more attractive - and justify a higher rate:

✓A babysitting course (SRK) or first-aid course - families search for it specifically
✓Two or three references from families you've already worked for
✓Languages: German, French or English open different doors depending on region and family
✓A short, honest profile: who you are, experience, availability, what matters to you
✓Reliability: punctual, reachable, clear arrangements - that gets around by word of mouth

Where the most jobs are

Demand concentrates in the cities and their suburbs, where many dual-income and expat families live. You'll find the most positions in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Zug and Lausanne - and the economically strong cantons also pay the best.

Canton ranking: where nannies earn the most →

Know your pay before you negotiate

As a nanny the market rate is CHF 25-40+/h gross; babysitting pays a bit less - depending on experience, qualification and canton. Never go below the NAV minimum of CHF 20.35/h. Knowing the numbers lets you negotiate with confidence.

Full salary benchmark: what nannies earn →

Make it a real job - not cash under the table

Getting paid cash feels easier at first, but it costs you dearly: no OASI contributions (less pension), no accident cover, no unemployment benefit and no reference. Here's how to do it right:

→Insist on a written contract - wage, hours, holidays, notice periods
→Have the family register you with OASI (mandatory from the first franc of pay)
→Tell the family: with Clino, registration and payroll are done in minutes - CHF 19.90/month

Become a nanny: your step-by-step start →

Just found a family? Here's how to make the job clean

Show your new employer family Clino: correct registration, payroll, OASI and insurance - for CHF 19.90/month. So you're covered from day one.

Discover Clino

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a nanny or babysitter job in Switzerland?

Most successfully through matching platforms, parent and neighbourhood groups on Facebook/WhatsApp, notice boards at daycares and playgroups, and referrals. For full-time roles, specialised nanny agencies and job boards are worth it. The best channel depends on whether you work occasionally or as a professional.

Do I need a babysitting course?

It's not mandatory, but highly recommended. The Swiss Red Cross (SRK) babysitting course is cheap, done in one to two days, and families search specifically for babysitters with the certificate. Together with a first-aid course, you'll get more requests and can ask for a higher rate.

Which cities have the most nanny jobs?

You'll find the most positions in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Zug and Lausanne and their suburbs - that's where many dual-income families live. The economically strong cantons such as Zurich, Zug and Geneva also pay the best.

What do I earn as a nanny or babysitter?

A nanny's market rate is CHF 25-40+/h gross; babysitting usually pays a bit less per hour. The legal minimum for domestic work is CHF 20.35/h (NAV). Experience, a babysitting/first-aid course and the canton make the difference.

What should I watch out for so the job is correct?

Insist on a written contract and on the family registering you with OASI - that's mandatory from the first franc of pay. Only then are you socially insured (OASI pension, and accident cover with enough hours) and entitled to a reference. Don't agree to pure cash payment without registration.

Sources

Swiss Red Cross (SRK) - babysitting course
SECO - standard employment contract (NAV) for household services, 2026 minimum wages
Swiss Nanny Association - profession and placement: swissnanny.org

As of 2026. Wages and minimum wages are adjusted periodically.

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