Preschool / Kindergarten
Ready for the future
Empower your child for future success in the ICS Preschool and Kindergarten community
Our youngest students build a strong foundation for social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth. A lifetime love of learning is developed through an outstanding and developmentally appropriate curriculum led by experts in the field of early childhood education.
The Preschool & Kindergarten Curriculum
Carefully planned learning activities and a range of assessments ensure that each child actively participates in guided inquiry and discovery. An individualised learning programme is created and shared with parents through student learning portfolios, classroom newsletters and other forms of communication.
Below are some examples of the concepts and activities children engage with in each subject.
Pre-Kindergarten
(3-4 years)
Kindergarten 1
(4-5 years)
Kindergarten 2
(5-6 years)
(Examples adapted from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) Curriculum and the Creative Curriculum Development Continuum for ages 3 to 5.)
Children Who Learn - Teachers Who Care
Our youngest students are challenged by the rigorous learning curriculum led by ICS teachers who are experts in child development and passionate about their role as teachers of preschoolers. Their students are empowered to build positive and respectful relationships with them and with each other as they develop their abilities and skills as problem solvers. From the first day they step through the door of one of our classrooms, the children are part of the warm and welcoming ICS preschool family as well as the wider ICS school community.
Learning Spaces
The Preschool and Kindergarten classes are in dedicated spaces with access to a sheltered outdoor learning environment. Students also benefit from their close proximity to Grade 1 and 2 classes, becoming comfortable with the environment beyond Kindergarten as they get older. Preschool classes have access to the gated pond with its observation deck as well as the ICS Research Garden located on the school premises. Connections to the local and natural environment are made through learning experiences in the surrounding forest spaces, excursions to local community spots or during field trips to Zurich. Students can use the outdoor playground spaces during supervised play times.
Extra-Curricular Activities
We offer a range of Athletics and Activities after school. The ICS campus also serves as the host venue for InterSoccer Football holiday camps during the autumn, winter, spring and summer. Younger children can also participate in the holiday camps offered by TechSpark Academy which are also available on the ICS campus.
School Services
Our services and facilities include a dedicated school bus with door to door service, the ICS cafeteria offering a nutritious lunch menu, a full time school nurse, before and after school care, library and media centre, gymnasium and dance studio.
Nutrition
Shared dining is our norm to encourage a sense of community and sharing. In Nursery (N) and Pre-Kindergarten (PK), a hot and nutritious lunch is served in the classroom with family dining. In Kindergarten1 (K1) and Kindergarten 2 (K2), the children dine in a designated part of the cafeteria set up with age appropriate furnishings. The menu is designed to encourage students to try new tastes whilst also being able to select and create their own plate from a variety of food options. In addition to a hot meal, a healthy salad bar is available daily offering a wide range of protein and vitamin rich foods for children to enjoy. Children are also encouraged to drink water regularly throughout the day. ICS has water refill stations located throughout its campus.
Before and After School Care Programme
The ICS Before and After School Care Programme offers childcare services to children from 07:30 to 8:00 and from 17:00 to 18:00. Children enjoy organised activities led by a teacher and supported by a team of teaching assistants. The programme is available Monday through Friday at a moderate cost to parents.
Contact the ICS Parents’ Association (PA)
The ICS Parents’ Association offers a range of activities and events to help your family quickly become members of our community. They speak several languages and are always available to assist you and answer any questions you might have. Please let us know at contact@icsz.ch if you would like us to put you in touch with a particular country representative from the PA.
Come and Visit Us!
We would be pleased to arrange a personalised tour of our campus for you and your family. You can spend some time in our classrooms and observe how learning happens as well as see the facilities, outdoor play spaces and our research garden.
International Baccalaureate Programme
Our Preschool and Kindergarten programme is accredited by the globally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. The IB focuses on inquiry-based learning. Teachers present interesting stimuli which triggers students’ curiosity. Inquiries focus on age-appropriate real-world issues and cover themes such as “Who we are” and “How the world works.”
Students also learn critical-thinking and collaboration. And in ICS’s multicultural environment, students gain an international perspective. They are open-minded, caring, and principled communicators. They take risks, reflect on their actions, and are passionate about discovering their worlds.
To find out more about the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in an Early Years setting, watch this IB video or read this IB publication.