Early Learning Centre: From Age 3

Join a nurturing programme that builds confidence, independence, and strong foundational skills.

At the International School of Berne (ISBerne), our Early Learning Centre (ELC) warmly welcomes local Swiss and international children from age 3 into a nurturing preschool environment designed especially for young learners. Located in Gümligen near Bern, our programme supports families from the local community as well as those relocating from abroad.

Your child will explore, play, and learn about the world around them in a safe and nurturing setting. Our specially trained early years teachers guide each child using a well-established curriculum that builds confidence, independence, and a lasting love of learning.

As an accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, we follow an inquiry-based, play-centred approach that supports your child’s early development of social, thinking, and language skills.

Small class sizes and a caring, attentive approach ensure that every child is known, supported, and encouraged to develop at an appropriate pace.

New children may join the programme at any time.
 

What Your Child Will Experience 

Learning guided by the globally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme framework

At ISBerne, your child will develop all the essential skills needed for a successful transition to Kindergarten — whether they continue at ISBerne, move to the local public school system, or even relocate abroad.

Learning follows a natural rhythm and includes:

• Adult-supported free play
• Teacher-guided learning in small groups
• Child-initiated exploration and discovery

Children are encouraged to explore ideas, take risks, and expand their knowledge, skills, and understanding. They are given time, choice, and opportunities to deepen their learning, become more independent, and develop confidence in directing their own learning.

English and German are naturally integrated throughout the day. Depending on your child’s language background, both languages are used in songs, routines, stories, and everyday conversations. Our teachers also speak additional languages, helping your child feel understood and comfortable from the very beginning.

Enriching Learning Experiences Beyond The Classroom

🌲  Weekly Forest visits (weather permitting)
⛸️  Ice skating lessons during the Winter
🛝  Daily outdoor learning sessions
🤸🏾  Movement sessions in the Gym
🎨  Visual Art lessons
🎶   Music lessons
📚   Library lessons with our librarian

A Full Day of Learning and Care

We offer flexible attendance options that support both your child’s development and your family’s daily routine.

The school day begins at 8:30 am, with pick-up at 3:30 pm (2:20 pm on Wednesdays). These core hours remain consistent throughout the year and apply across the whole school.

New for 2026–27: Before School Care Included in Tuition

As part of a year-long pilot programme, Before School Care from 7:30 am is included in tuition fees for children in the Early Learning Centre through Grade 2. This provides families with a convenient and supportive start to the school day at no additional cost.

For your ELC child, you can choose from several attendance options:

• Half days — Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
• Full days — Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm (Wednesdays until 2:20 pm)
• Part-time — Half days plus selected afternoons

To help children build strong routines, friendships, and a sense of belonging, students in the Early Learning Centre attend a minimum of four mornings per week. We recommend five mornings per week to provide the greatest continuity and support your child's development. Our programme remains flexible, and parents may adjust their child’s schedule during the school year, subject to availability.

Lunch and Break Time

On full days, your child enjoys lunch together with their classmates and teachers in our dedicated ELC kitchen.

Lunch can be brought from home and heated if needed, or you may choose freshly prepared meals from our school cafeteria. We are happy to advise you on the available options, and the daily menu offers a variety of appealing choices.

A healthy morning snack of fresh fruit and vegetables is included in the school fees and provided by our cafeteria. Your child is also welcome to bring an additional snack from home if desired. We carefully consider allergies, dietary requirements, and individual preferences.

Before- and After-School Care

For families who need extended hours, supervised care is available from 7:30 am until 6:00 pm. Your child will be cared for by familiar teachers or classroom assistants and will take part in age-appropriate activities in a warm, supportive setting.

Enrolment Throughout the Year

Children can join the Early Learning Centre at any time during the school year. The only requirements are that your child has turned 3 years old and is toilet-trained.

Local Swiss and international children are welcome to enrol without restrictions. Many families from Bern and the surrounding cantons value our warm, multilingual, and multicultural environment.

Families relocating to the region also appreciate becoming part of a caring international school community, where English is the main language of instruction, and German is naturally integrated into daily school life.

Families Appreciate the Opportunities at ISBerne

• After the Early Learning Centre, your child can continue into our two-year Kindergarten programme, taught jointly by an English-speaking and a German-speaking teacher and aligned with both Lehrplan 21 and the International Baccalaureate framework.
• From Grade 1 onwards, local Swiss students study core subjects — Mathematics, German, and Social Studies — in German according to the Swiss curriculum (Lehrplan 21). In subjects such as Music, Visual Arts, and Physical Education, they join international classmates and learn in English as part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme.
• All students may remain at ISBerne through to Grade 12 and complete the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, which provides access to universities in Switzerland and around the world.

Our School Fees

We understand that choosing a private full-day school represents an important investment for families. We take this responsibility seriously and work hard to provide a high-quality education with a fair and accessible fee structure.

You can find further information about our fees in the Admissions section of our website.

If you would like to learn more, please contact our Welcome Desk Team at +41 31 959 10 00 or office@isberne.ch. We would be happy to speak with you and discuss the options available for your family.

Request Tuition and School Fee Information

Getting Started at ISBerne

Choosing the right school is an important decision, and we will support you every step of the way. Our team will take the time to understand your family’s needs, answer your questions, and help you determine whether ISBerne is the right fit for your child and your family. Our Welcome Desk specialists, Ms Françoise Boillat and Ms Alice Germann, are happy to advise you by phone. If you prefer to make initial contact by email, they will also be pleased to respond to your written inquiry:

+41 31 959 10 00
office@isberne.ch