Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
11 Feb 2026
Reply rate
98.3 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
5
Email verified
Host offers payment
Country info
Badges (4)
Details
Description
Hi, I’m Jackie 😊
I live with my 8-year-old daughter Joana in Oerlikon, about 5 km from Zurich’s city center (around 20 minutes by public transport or bicycle).
Our neighborhood is urban and lively, yet very family-friendly. We live in a housing cooperative with shared facilities such as car and bike rentals, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, a café, and a free coworking space with Wi-Fi. Several parks are nearby, and free bikes make it easy to explore Zurich’s lakes, rivers, and surrounding nature. Zurich airport is also close (about 25 minutes by bike or 14 minutes by public transport).
I work as a teacher and am usually out of the house on Thursday and Friday mornings, as well as Monday afternoons and Thursdays/Fridays during the day.
There are some fixed tasks, and some flexible ones, so that we reach a fair Workaway exchange of around 20–22 hours per week, with two free days.
Fixed weekly tasks (about 10 hours)
- Thursday & Friday mornings (1 h each): I leave at 06:30. Joana wakes up around 07:00–07:30. You would have breakfast with her and make sure she leaves for school on time (around 08:00).
- 3 evenings per week (around 2 h each): Keeping an eye on Joana, helping her practice reading, maths, or accordion (she doesn’t have homework, but daily practice is important), and preparing a simple dinner so I can go to sports.
- Household help: About 2 hours per week for cleaning and watering the plants.
Flexible tasks (about 10–12 hours)
These can be arranged freely during the week and according to your strengths
- Time with Joana: creative activities, playing outside, teaching her something new, or accompanying her to after-school activities.
- Small DIY or home projects: clearly defined tasks with a goal (not micromanaged hours), such as repairs, organizing, or improving things around the apartment.
- Occasional special cleaning tasks: for example cleaning windows, the oven, or the fridge.
Two days per week are intentionally kept free for you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Staying with us offers a genuine insight into everyday life in Zurich and in Switzerland beyond the tourist perspective. As a family, we value openness, conversation, and learning from each other.
Travellers can:
- experience daily life in a Swiss urban neighborhood and housing cooperative
- learn how family life, school routines, and work-life balance are organized in Switzerland
- exchange ideas about education, parenting, sustainability, and community life
I work as a teacher, so I enjoy sharing perspectives on the Swiss education system and learning from other cultures and backgrounds in return.
If interested, travellers can also get an insight into foodsharing, a sustainability movement I’m actively involved in, including how community-based initiatives work in Switzerland. Participation is optional and meant as cultural exchange rather than work.
Above all, this stay is about mutual exchange: sharing meals, conversations, experiences, and perspectives on life.
Au Pair Help
This host is looking for Au pair help.
Help
The help is spread over the week and combines fixed responsibilities with flexible tasks, adding up to around 20–22 hours per week, with two free days.
The most important fixed times are Thursday and Friday mornings.
On those mornings, I leave the house at 06:30, so you would:
- have breakfast with my daughter
- help her get ready for school
- make sure she leaves on time (around 08:00)
In addition, support is needed in a regular but flexible way throughout the week. This includes:
- Evening support (around 3 evenings per week):
- Being with my daughter, helping her practice reading, maths (grade 2), or accordion, and preparing a simple dinner so I can go to sports.
Household tasks:
Light cleaning, tidying up, watering plants, and occasional deeper cleaning tasks (e.g. windows, oven, fridge).
Since not all tasks are fixed to specific times, I’m very open to your ideas, strengths, or small projects you’d like to contribute to our household or family life. We’ll shape the week together so it works well for both sides.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Russian: Beginner
Accommodation
Private bedroom in our apartment.
The room is fully for the volunteer’s private use and includes a bed and storage space. Shared use of bathroom, kitchen, and common areas.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (3)
I felt instantly at home at her place, I can't praise her enough.
The time with Joana was… read more
Radia stayed for three weeks with us and helped with cooking, cleaning and taking care of my daughter whenever I wanted to attend sports training. She did the effort and brought the thermomix with her and prepared such tasty meals that I am considering to get myself one. She consulted… read more
We are used to… read more
Jackie and her daughter welcomed me at the airport and guided me to the house. She took care of my needs prior to my visit (access to the working space with internet, bicycle, etc.). The place is very spacious and comfortable, beyond… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.7)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(4.7)
I felt instantly at home at her place, I can't praise her enough.
The time with Joana was… read more
Radia stayed for three weeks with us and helped with cooking, cleaning and taking care of my daughter whenever I wanted to attend sports training. She did the effort and brought the thermomix with her and prepared such tasty meals that I am considering to get myself one. She consulted… read more
We are used to… read more
Jackie and her daughter welcomed me at the airport and guided me to the house. She took care of my needs prior to my visit (access to the working space with internet, bicycle, etc.). The place is very spacious and comfortable, beyond… read more
