Kindergarten Zurich & Erlenbach

Bilingual & Multilingual Kindergarten in Canton Zurich

We inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence for a perfect start of lifelong learning and development.

 

A Place to Grow, Discover, and Belong

At Tandem IMS Kindergarten, children aged 4 to 6 years take their first steps into formal learning in a safe, joyful, and bilingual environment.

Our approach combines the best of the Swiss Kindergarten philosophy and the British early learning model, balancing social-emotional growth with early literacy and numeracy.

Through enquiry-based learning, children explore their world with curiosity and imagination, learning through play, discovery, and guided reflection.

 

Our Kindergarten

Zurich Kindergarten

Established bilingual and multilingual Kindergartens where children develop social, linguistic, and academic foundations for Primary School.

Kindergarten Erlenbach (from August 2027)

A new, purpose-built campus by Lake Zurich that continues our proven Tandem IMS philosophy in a nature-rich setting.

All locations follow the same educational framework and offer bilingual German–English learning with optional French from Kindergarten 2 (Fridays). Our Tandem School Bus connects campuses in the Zurich region for families with children at multiple levels.

Key Facts at a Glance

  • Age group: 4–6 years

  • Class size: max. 22 children per class

  • Teachers: 1–2 teachers per class

  • Kindergarten 1: min. 3.5 days (Monday–Thursday, Wednesday afternoon off)

  • Kindergarten 2: min. 4 days (Monday–Thursday)

  • Languages: German & English, French optional on Friday

Day care: from 07:30 to 18:30

Our Curriculum

The Tandem IMS Kindergarten Curriculum is accredited by the Canton of Zurich’s educational authorities and blends Swiss and international learning programmes.
It focuses on:

  • Social and emotional development: learning empathy, self-awareness, and confidence in a multilingual setting.

  • Bilingual literacy: continuing English reading and writing started in Pre-School, while introducing German reading and writing.

  • Mathematics: introduction to numbers, quantity, and patterns and exceeding Swiss public school expectations.

  • Curiosity-driven enquiry: children learn through investigation, reflection, and communication.

  • Creative enrichment: art, music, IT, nature walks, project weeks, and physical education.

Languages of Instruction

German & English – Learning in Two Worlds

Our co-teaching model pairs a native German-speaking and a native English-speaking teacher in each class.

Children naturally experience both languages in meaningful contexts, comparing sounds, words, and ideas across languages, which strengthens cognitive and cultural awareness.

French (Optional)

Children can choose to add French as an additional language, developing early trilingual skills through songs, stories, and playful exploration.

Enquiry-Based Learning

In Kindergarten, enquiry-based learning means investigating, experimenting, and creating.

Children are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, and use their discoveries to form new questions.

Through daily discussion, role-play, and storytelling in multiple languages, they learn to:

  • Think critically and independently

  • Collaborate and express ideas

  • Build confidence through curiosity

 

A Day in the Life at Tandem IMS Kindergarten

Children thrive in a balance of structure and discovery. Our daily rhythm combines routine with freedom, supporting focused learning and joyful exploration.

8-10 08:10
Welcome time
8-30 08:30
Circle time -  sharing, songs, and stories
Morning

Enquiry-based activities & creative play

12-30-no 12:45

“Golden Götti” time – small group mentoring

Afternoon

Creative learning & activities

15-55 15:40
School day ends
16:00-18:00

Optional late care or After School Club

A Bilingual Start with a Global Perspective

Many families choose Tandem IMS for its strong bilingual and multicultural foundation.

Our translanguaging approach helps children use both English and German naturally, building communication skills that go beyond vocabulary and towards cultural understanding, empathy, and adaptability.

By the end of Kindergarten, children feel confident expressing themselves in more than one language and eager to learn even more.

 
Elena Majer
Ms. Maier
Kindergarten Teacher
Kate Zueger
Ms. Zueger
Kindergarten Teacher
Sokha Sean
Ms. Sean
Kindergarten Teacher
Kaitlin Maier
Ms. Maier
Kindergarten Teacher
Alin Muskat
Ms. Muskat
Kindergarten Teacher
Bethany Hill
Ms. Hill
Kindergarten Teacher
Reza_Fariha_ZH_2019_Web_V2
Ms. Reza
Kindergarten Teacher
Barra_Carlotta_EB_2023_Web_V2
Ms. Barra
French Teacher
Mr. Londono Carvajal
French Teacher
Schmid_Christina_ZH_2019_Web_V2
Ms. Schmid
Art Teacher
Celine Sousa Andre
Ms. André
Classroom- and Supervision Assistant
Sophie Mead
Ms. Mead
Classroom- and Supervision Assistant
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INTERESTING TO KNOW

Bus Image

School Bus

We have established our own bus service to and from our school in Zurich.

After School Clubs

Extra Curricular

Find out more about our After School Clubs and Holiday Camps.

Tuition Fees-1

Tuition Fees

Get all the information you need regarding tuition fees.

FAQS

What makes Tandem IMS Kindergarten different from other Kindergartens?

Tandem IMS combines the strengths of both the Swiss and international Kindergarten models. Children develop social confidence and emotional maturity while also gaining early literacy and numeracy skills in a bilingual environment. This balance ensures a smooth and confident transition into Primary School.

How does enquiry-based learning work in Kindergarten?

Children learn by exploring, experimenting, and asking questions. Instead of being told answers, they discover them through play, guided investigation, and discussion. This approach builds curiosity, creativity, and independent thinking from an early age.

How do you support children who are new to bilingual or multilingual education?

Many of our children join with different language backgrounds. Our German- and English-speaking teachers co-teach in each class, helping children absorb both languages naturally through daily routines, play, and projects. No prior exposure is required — progress happens at each child’s own pace.

Are the teachers native speakers?

Yes. All Tandem IMS teachers are native speakers of the language they teach. This provides authentic language models and natural exposure to correct pronunciation, rhythm, and expression.

What are the class sizes and teacher ratios?

Each class has a maximum of 22 children and 1–2 qualified teachers, ensuring individual attention and a warm, family-like atmosphere.

How is the daily routine structured?

Children thrive in a clear and balanced schedule. Our days include circle time, enquiry projects, outdoor play, music, creative work, and “Golden Götti” mentoring moments. The predictable rhythm helps children feel secure while leaving room for imagination and discovery.

How is care organized outside classroom hours and during holidays?

Our Kindergartens offer flexible early care from 07:30 and late care until 18:30.
We follow Zurich’s school calendar but remain open during most holidays with our Holiday Clubs, which provide engaging themed activities for families needing additional care.

Highlights

 

Strong bilingual literacy foundation (English & German)

 

Enquiry-based learning for curious, confident learners

 

Optional French from Kindergarten 2

 

School bus service between campuses

 

Art, music, IT, and project-based learning every week

 

 

Get in Touch

Would you like to learn more about our Kindergartens in Zurich, Küsnacht, or Erlenbach (opening August 2026)?

✉️ info@tandem-ims.ch
📞 +41 43 500 10 30

Contact us or Book a visit.  We look forward to welcoming your family to Tandem IMS.

 

Kindergarten: Enquiry (Non-Binding)

Thank you for your interest in our school

We recognize that your choice of school will be one of the most important decisions you face. As a first step please fill out the Enquiry Form. A member of our admissions team will then contact you to arrange a visit as this is most certainly the best way to get to know us.

WHAT PARENTS SAY ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS

Our daughter Milla started in Kindergarten 1 and finished in grade 6. We are so thankful to all the teachers, management and administration for the great work they do with the children. Tandem IMS offers a friendly environment and the warmth of a family. Milla had a lot of fun but she also learned a lot. She is not only academically strong in English and German and advanced in French but she developed as an individual who loves and respects people, who is independent and confident, who is free to express her opinion, who knows how to organize her daily life and work under pressure. As she said in her graduation speech: «Here in Tandem I had the best time of my life! I am looking forward to the future because I know I am well prepared for the next step of my life.» 

Milla and her family
Kindergarten and Primary School

Our son Philip attended Tandem from Primary 1 through 6. What convinced us of this school were the multilingual education, the enquiry-based learning approach, and the excellent after-school care programme. The teachers we met over the years were all highly qualified and very motivated. The community spirit at the school is exceptional: fifth graders play with first graders, mixed age groups at Sports Day, and loyal alumni to the school. Philip also attended the preparation course for the Gymi exam offered at Tandem. The level of detailed preparation by his teacher was outstanding. It was integrated seamlessly into the school routine. The learning journey at Tandem gave Philip a head start for his secondary education. I can highly recommend Tandem to all families looking for a multilingual primary education.

Philip
Primary School

Our experience at Tandem Erlenbach has been wonderful and totally recommendable. Sara has been happy at Tandem IMS Erlenbach each and every day of the almost three years she has spent there. Tandem's educational method allows each child to progress in an individual and personalised way, but at the same time creates strong bonds with the rest of the children in each group. The diverse atmosphere and the values of Tandem IMS (tolerance, team spirit, kindness, respect…) are something that all schools should promote and that we truly appreciated.

Sara and her family
Early Years and Pre-School

Neven started in Kiga 1 and stayed until the end of Primary 6, a total of 8 years. He is a very active and lively boy. All the different teachers he had at Tandem IMS were able to motivate and interest him through all these years. They recognised his strengths and supported him when needed. Neven successfully passed the Gymiprüfung and also in Gymnasium it shows how well he is prepared for learning in a demanding environment. As we’re both working parents we always felt understood and supported by Tandem IMS. If we would start again with a younger child we would choose Tandem IMS again.

Neven and his mum
Primary School

Tandem IMS's sense of community and the depth of care and dedication teachers and staff bring to the school, is what makes it so special. At Tandem IMS, teachers get to know each child individually and take time to understand the best ways to help them learn and grow. Children learn to treat each other with respect, work together, and to appreciate differences of background, identity, and perspective. Both socially and academically, our son greatly benefitted from Tandem IMS's nurturing learning environment.

Viggo and his parents
Kindergarten

After relocating to Uetikon, our two children attended Uetikon/Erlenbach. We greatly appreciated the stability of the teaching team, which comprised individuals from various nationalities, including true native English speakers spanning various age groups. It was evident that they were all dedicated to playing a role in our children's education. The facilities, diverse classrooms, group dynamics, and educational curriculum were truly exceptional. Tandem IMS will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we are forever thankful that our little boys had the opportunity to be part of it!

Léandre and Aurèle
Early Years and Pre-School

We experienced Tandem IMS as a happy place to learn and to prepare students in many fields of life, not just school subjects but also social skills and community spirit. The teaching style and the multicultural environment is nurturing a growth mindset and lifelong learning which are so important in these times of constant changes. Our son Francesco has spent his whole primary school time at Tandem IMS and graduated after 6th Grade well prepared for the next step (Sek A, Küsnacht). He had a fantastic start there with many advantages already in French, English and an independent and self-organized homework attitude. His brother Lorenzo is still enjoying Tandem Primary school and will graduate in a couple of years.

Francesco and his mum
Primary School

We are incredibly grateful for the time our daughter Alisa spent at Tandem IMS. The teachers and administrators were exceptional—always attentive, nurturing, and genuinely invested in Alisa's well-being and development. Their warmth and professionalism made all the difference, giving us peace of mind every day. In the two years she was there, we saw remarkable growth in Alisa’s social skills, confidence, and love for learning. She also made remarkable progress towards her language skills in English and German. It was such a joy to see her excited to go to Tandem each morning and come home with new knowledge and stories to share. We couldn't have asked for a better foundation for her, and for that, we are eternally thankful to the amazing team at Tandem IMS.

Alisa
Early Years and Pre-School

Seeing our children becoming less and less happy attending public school, we felt compelled to look for a better alternative that could meet their needs.  What we found turned out to be so much more than expected: an inspiring culture, motivating teachers, and an exciting multilingual spirit.  While learning is never easy and often demanding, for our children, it suddenly became a fun and productive experience.  The depth and breadth of the learning opportunity offered by this school is nothing short of great!

Luca and his dad
Primary School

At Tandem IMS, I really felt that the children were growing their knowledge and improving their language skills in both, English and German. Caspar entered at the age of 4 into kindergarten 1 and stayed for 2 years. He could not speak one word of English and German when he joined, since we speak Italian and Russian at home. When he finished kindergarten 2 at the age of 6, he could communicate very well in both English and German and we were very proud of him.

Caspar and his dad
Kindergarten

Tandem IMS was the best choice and the best investment for our child. Tandem IMS makes parents confident that their child is in the best hands. The experience, the education and the engagement level of the teachers is set at the highest standards. And as a bonus, our little son was taught in 2 languages, so that for the Kindergarten he is well prepared and speaks, without any difficulties, German and English on top of Russian. Without any hesitations, our younger little baby was also enrolled at Tandem IMS.

Andrew and his family
Early Years and Pre-School

We were impressed how quickly Cédric settled in which was also due to the warm and caring atmosphere that welcomed him. Cédric loved to go to Tandem IMS as he found an environment that adapted to his needs and gave him brain food (he is a very curious boy). We felt that the excellent teachers recognize the strengths of each child individually and support children to develop further. During his time at Tandem IMS, Cédric progressed impressively and he always felt very safe and was very eager to go to Tandem IMS.

Cédric and his mum
Pre-School

Valentina and Mateo both started attending the nursery at 6 months old, followed by preschool. It was amazing to witness how quickly they picked up English and how effortlessly they can now switch between German, English, and Spanish. Valentina and Mateo always felt comfortable, and as parents, the open communication with the team consistently reassured us that our children were in the best hands. We are very grateful to Tandem IMS for the valuable chapter in our children's lives.

Valentina, Mateo and their parents
Early Years and Pre-School

Emma enjoyed the inspiring environment, the caring teachers and the super interesting curriculum. Each day was different and the children learned a lot by going through the various subjects that were spread throughout the year. A lot of effort also goes into organising special events through which the children can discover the entire world. Emma benefited a lot from Tandem and was now ready to go to kindergarten. We are very grateful for the great time Emma spent at Tandem IMS and are missing the team a lot!

Emma and her mum
Early Years and Pre-School

Massi grew up in the translanguaging environment of Tandem IMS, becoming fluent in both English and German from an early age. The enquiry-based learning allowed him to be himself, learning easily by asking questions constantly. We are grateful to all the teachers that accompanied him since he was two years old. Thank you for your patience, professionalism, creativity, and engagement. Tandem IMS and its teachers are putting a lot of effort in recognising each child's needs, adapting to their rhythm, their curiosity, making everyone feel unique. 

Massi and his parents
Early Years, Pre-School, Kindergarten

It was an incredible journey for the last 6 years and we will be missing every single day of this experience. Dedicated teachers truly loving the kids and the daily job they do, dedicated educational team, and outstanding curriculum to make sure kids are not only prepared for day-to-day life, but also for the school after. But more importantly, are the social skills which Arthur and Andrew watched and learned every day. Something, one can’t buy for money but have it in your heart.

Arthur, Andrew and their mum
Early Years and Pre-School

Mariana thrived in the familiar atmosphere of Tandem IMS. The bilingual education prepared her well for further language study, and the teachers were very professional, committed and caring of my child’s needs. After leaving Tandem IMS, Mariana settled exceptionally well in her new school and was academically well prepared for the new demands. Thank you, Tandem IMS!

Mariana and her mum
Primary School