Early Childhood Center
Zurich International School (ZIS) is a leading international, not-for-profit day school for students aged 3 to 18. Students attend one of four age-appropriate campuses close to Zurich. Our language of instruction is English, with German classes offered at all levels. Our curriculum prepares students for the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Advanced Placement programs in Grades 11 and 12. ZIS students go on to some of the best institutions of higher learning in the world. Learning at ZIS The ZIS curriculum is designed to help students become active learners who are critical and compassionate thinkers. It encourages intellectual inquiry and is responsive to the needs of all ZIS students. We maintain the highest international curriculum standards as required by international accrediting organizations. Early Childhood Center (ECC) Program (Early ZIS, Pre-School & Pre-Kindergarten) The goal of the program at the ECC is to promote children’s healthy emotional, social, physical, and cognitive growth and development by providing an active learning environment supported by qualified and experienced teachers. Our teachers are all native English speakers, and specialists in Early Childhood education. Our multi-age classes (3 to 5 years) offer younger students the opportunity to learn from older peers, while older students are enabled to develop leadership, mentoring and interpersonal skills.
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Each week, all students participate in: pre-reading, pre-writing and pre-math activities visual and performing arts movement and coordination activities community building activities sensory exploration and role play library time German class indoor and outdoor free play (every day)
Digital technologies are integrated into the curriculum as appropriate. Each student has his/her own ‘blog’ to document his/her learning throughout the program. Students also regularly participate in curriculum-related local field trips. Language Our language of instruction is English, and we have a comprehensive support system for students with no prior experience of the language. Students at the ECC have 60 minutes of German language time each week, when native-speaking teachers interact with them extensively in that language. We also celebrate the many different home cultures and mother tongue languages represented at the school through regular events on campus.
Zurich International School Steinacherstrasse 140 · CH-8820 Wädenswil · T +41 58 750 25 00 · F +41 58 750 25 01 · zis@zis.ch · www.zis.ch Campuses in Wädenswil (Main Office), Adliswil, Kilchberg
Facilities The ZIS Early Childhood Campus, located in a traditional Swiss villa in Kilchberg, houses 100-120 students aged 3 to 5. In addition to bright, well-equipped classrooms, the campus includes a visual and performing art studio, library, sensory room and several free- and role-play rooms. There is a large garden with the latest age-appropriate play equipment and a small patch for growing flowers and vegetables. The campus overlooks Lake Zurich and is located near to two public parks. Additional support Students have access to a highly qualified support team, including a nurse, counsellor, early intervention specialist, speech therapists and occupational therapists. Additional charges apply for some of these services. Parental involvement Parents are invited into school on a regular basis. Before starting at ZIS, parents and children are welcome to spend a morning in school to become familiar with the environment and routines. Parents and children then attend a ‘Meet the teacher and other families’ gathering at the beginning of each new school year. In November and May an opportunity for parents to shadow their child at school is offered during ‘Open Week’. Regular workshops are held throughout the year for parents to learn more about the program and further their own skills, for instance in first aid. Information about each class and the campus as a whole is shared electronically every week via school blogs. Attendance Students in Early ZIS and Pre-School can attend Monday to Friday, with the following options: – – – –
5 mornings 5 mornings + 2 afternoons 5 mornings + 3 afternoons 5 full days
Pre-Kindergarten is a full-day program, Monday to Friday. Children attending for the full day have the opportunity to sleep if they require it in the afternoon, for approximately 45 minutes. Beds are provided and teachers will supervise.
Operating times Children attending full days may arrive between 8:00 and 9:00 and be picked up between 15.00 and 15.30. On Wednesdays, children are picked up between 14:00 and 14:30. Our morning program finishes after lunch at 12:45. We offer after-school care until 17:30 each day, including Wednesdays. An extra charge applies for this. Transport A door-to-door bus service is available for an additional fee. Please ask our Admissions team for more details. Food School lunches are available for purchase, or students are welcome to bring lunch from home. Parents should provide a morning snack each day, and an afternoon snack for children staying full days. Vacation schedule ZIS closes for various school breaks throughout the year. Please see www.zis.ch/about-us/calendar for more information. Entrance to the program Students must meet the following age requirements: – – –
Early ZIS: From 3rd birthday Pre-School: 3 years old on August 31 Pre-Kindergarten: 4 years old on August 31 Students must be toilet trained - no diapers/nappies.
Billing Tuition fees for Early ZIS and Pre-School are billed quarterly. Pre-Kindergarten is billed in two installments, 60% and 40%. Please see www.zis.ch/admissons/tuition for more details. Location ZIS Early Childhood Center Seestrasse 169 8802 Kilchberg Switzerland More information For more information please contact the ZIS Admissions Team at admissions@zis.ch or on 058 750 2531.