Besuch vereinbaren
Visit us

Welcome to our FAQ section

Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about KiddieLand KiTa & Kindergarten Zürich.
From enrolment and daily routines to group structure and meals, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about life at KiddieLand.

1. General

Congrats on this exciting next step for your family! 🌱

You can start the process whenever you’re ready – whether your child is joining us in a few weeks, a few months, or next year. The enrolment process at KiddieLand is simple, flexible, and personal.

Most families begin by contacting us via our website form, by phone, or by email at hello@kiddieland.ch to schedule an on-site visit. BYOB – Bring Your Own Baby ☺️ if possible! This way, we can already get a sense of how your little one feels in our environment.

During your visit, you’ll get to know our wonderful teachers, explore our bright classrooms, the urban garden, and experience our daily rhythm and educational approach.

If you can’t visit in person, we’re happy to arrange a virtual tour or video call – you’ll still get a glimpse into our everyday life, our garden, and maybe even meet our beloved chef Pavlos in the kitchen 😍.

After your visit, we’ll send you all registration documents. Once you decide KiddieLand is the right fit, simply complete the forms and we’ll confirm availability and reserve a place in one of our groups.
We’ll then take care of the administrative steps so everything runs smoothly.

When it’s time to start, your child’s introduction will include a gentle, attachment-based settling-in period, inspired by the Berliner model, and adapted to your family’s rhythm.

We recommend starting the registration early, as our daycare spots in Zürich tend to fill up quickly.

PS: We believe it’s important to find the right daycare in Zurich for your family. That’s why we encourage you to visit and experience 3–4 different childcare centers before making your final decision. Sometimes that’s the only way to discover what truly feels right – and what doesn’t.

We’re happy to support you on this journey with our free KiTa Evaluation Guide – a helpful resource as you explore the best childcare in Zurich for your little one. 😊

KiddieLand welcomes children from 4 months to 6 years old.

Our daycare groups are divided by age to ensure that every child receives developmentally appropriate care and learning opportunities. Read about the benefits of this approach here.

Whether your child is a baby, toddler, or preschooler, KiddieLand provides a loving and safe environment that supports growth, independence, and curiosity.

KiddieLand Zürich Krippe & Kindergarten is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 18:30.

Our daily routine is structured and offers a balanced mix of free play, creative learning, outdoor exploration, nutritious meals, and quiet rest time. 

Each day follows a gentle rhythm that supports stability, joy, and emotional security – helping your child thrive both socially and developmentally.

Curious to read how a typical day at KiddieLand Zürich KiTa looks like? Follow along here.

Interested in reading about the Kindergarten day-to-day structure and activities? Find it here.

In the canton of Zürich, the V TaK regulation for kindergartens and KiTas sets minimum staffing rules:

Every group must have at least one qualified caregiver at all times.

If a group has more than six children, a second caregiver must be present.

For very young children (under ~19 months), each child counts as 1.5 “slots”, meaning more staffing is required per child in that age range.

The typical “regular group size” is up to 12 places, but deviations are allowed as long as the child / caregiver ratio remains equivalent.  

At KiddieLand, we try to exceed these minimum requirements to ensure smaller groups, more attention, and higher quality care. We adjust the ratio further depending on age, group size, and individual as well as operational needs.

Our highly qualified staff is comprised of

  • Admin& Management Team: Qualified (Co-)Directors and two KiTa Co-Leaders
  • Teaching Team per group: One German-speaking teacher, one English-speaking teacher, and one or two interns or apprentices 
  • One back-office Assistant
  • On-call Helpers 
  • One full-time Chef/Kitchen Administrator 
  • Professional cleaning company

Stay tuned! 

2. Bilingual Concept & Language Development

Children experience German and English every day in real situations – not as a school subject, but through playing, eating, singing, and daily routines. In the nursery, each caregiver consistently uses their respective language throughout the day. In Kindergarten, there is a clear structure: German in the morning, English in the afternoon. Learn more about our educational philosophy.

No. Children can start at KiddieLand without any prior knowledge of either language. Our team supports each child according to their age and linguistic background. What matters is not that a child responds immediately, but that they feel safe and secure to interact the way it feels right for them in that moment (this includes body language!).

Not if it is delivered in an age-appropriate way and without performance pressure. At KiddieLand, children are free to listen, observe, and imitate – and speak when they are ready. Our HighScope-inspired curriculum puts active, playful learning first, not achievement.

Multilingual children can distinguish between languages depending on the situation and the person they are speaking with – this is completely normal. KiddieLand complements the family language by adding German and English to everyday life. It is important that the family language continues to have a firm place at home.

No. The goal is to develop German and English in parallel, not to replace one language with the other. In Zurich, German remains central for everyday life, school, and social integration. In Kindergarten, lessons are taught in German in the morning and English in the afternoon – structured and complementary.

3. Age Groups & Care Structure

KiddieLand cares for children from 4 months to 6 years – from the nursery through to the end of Kindergarten. An overview of all age groups is available on the website.

Groups are structured by developmental stage and age: babies and toddlers (the Munchkins, SweetHearts, SweetPeas), Twos and Threes (the LoveBugs, TinyTots, JellyBeans), pre-k (the Wiggles), and Kindergarten (Sparkles). This ensures that activities, language, and daily structure are tailored to each stage. Learn more about the groups and their educational approach.

KiddieLand deliberately exceeds the legal minimum requirements of the Canton of Zurich. Each group has a German-speaking and an English-speaking caregiver, supported by interns and those in training. Additional floaters and a leadership team are also on hand. You can further inquire about the specific group sizes during your personal tour at KiddieLand.

Yes. Because KiddieLand covers both phases, the environment, caregivers, and daily rhythm stay familiar. Per popular demand, we are (re-) introducing Junior Kindergarten for those children who show significant signs of readiness and would thrive in an environment that’s leaning more towards the Lehrplan 21 (Switzerland’s official school) curriculum and that offers more structured learning in subjects such as language and mathematics. This makes the transition significantly smoother for children than moving to a new setting. Find out more about the bilingual Kindergarten at KiddieLand.

4. Daily Life, Pedagogy & QualiKita Standards

The day follows a lovingly structured rhythm of arrivals, free play, group activities, fresh meals, rest time, and outdoor time (twice, if possible). See what a specific Kindergarten day looks like on A Day at KiddieLand.

In Kindergarten, the structure is clear: German in the morning, English in the afternoon. In the nursery and preschool groups, both languages are used naturally throughout the day – in conversations, songs, stories, and routines. More on our educational approach.

A central one. During free play, children practice language, social skills, creativity, and independence – naturally and without it feeling staged. KiddieLand’s curriculum is inspired by HighScope, Emmi Pikler, and Reggio Emilia, placing the child as an active participant in their own learning. This is complementary to the structured indoor & outdoor activities our teachers plan a month in advance based on a specific topic (Carnival in February, for example).  Read about our philosophy.

Yes, every day – in the summer times even twice a day. KiddieLand has its own 350 m² urban garden. Children also go on regular outings to the surrounding area – to GZ Wipkingen, along the Limmat, and other playgrounds in Kreis 10 – luckily, there are many. Weekly excursions for the older children (airport, Natural History Museum, forest, etc.) are included in the price.

Yes. KiddieLand is one of the few QualiKita-certified daycare centers in Zurich offering a bilingual program. The certification means that educational quality, care standards, and teamwork are regularly and independently assessed. More about our commitment to quality.

KiddieLand uses the Berlin Settling-In Model – a recognized standard for attachment-oriented transitions. The two-week settling-in period is included in the one-time registration fee. The goal is for your child to build trust and confidence before spending longer periods without their parents.

5. Team & Parent Communication

An experienced team of qualified early childhood educators. KiddieLand was founded by a lifelong early childhood educator and Kindergarten teacher. The best way to get to know the team is on a personal tour.

Each group has a German-speaking and an English-speaking caregiver, ensuring both languages are used authentically and consistently. You will find out which caregivers are in which group during your tour.

Yes. As a bilingual center, KiddieLand communicates in both German and English – in daily interactions, via the app, and in development meetings. Ideal for international families.

KiddieLand uses an app through which parents receive regular photos and updates on activities, meals, sleep, and special moments – even during the working day. Regular parent-caregiver meetings on your child’s development are also part of the program. This is all included in the price.

Separation anxiety is normal in young children and is taken seriously. The structured settling-in process using the Berlin Model gives children and parents time to separate gradually. The team supports children as they arrive and keeps parents closely informed throughout.

6. International Families & Expats

Yes, particularly so. With German-English care, children can maintain their English while getting to know German in everyday life. KiddieLand has been a trusted choice for international families in Zurich for over 12 years. Learn more about our daycare.

Children who only speak English find an environment at KiddieLand where they are understood, and where German is introduced gradually – without an immediate language switch. They settle in securely while naturally picking up German through daily life, play, and routines.

Yes. Children experience German in everyday life while retaining the comfort of English. Families can also build connections and establish routines in Zurich through KiddieLand’s parent community.

For children in the daycare and early Kindergarten years, yes. KiddieLand covers the first years of life with a bilingual everyday experience. International schools typically start later and follow a more formal academic structure. Find out more on the Kindergarten page.

7. Food & Health

Freshly prepared organic meals every day, cooked by Chef Pavlos in KiddieLand’s own professional kitchen – using local and organic ingredients. Babies receive individually tailored purées. Mealtimes at KiddieLand are also a social and language moment. More about the nutrition program.

Yes, fully. Three fresh organic meals and snacks are included in the daily rate – with no extra charge. For babies, individually prepared purées, bottles, and branded baby products (nappies, wipes, formula, etc.) are also included. Full pricing overview.

Mainly yes. Allergies and intolerances are discussed individually. Parents should share all medically relevant information in writing as early as possible. Get in touch with any questions.

When a child is unwell, the child’s wellbeing and the protection of the group come first. The specific rules around fever, infections, and returning to daycare are communicated at enrollment.

8. Location, Hours & Practicalities

Röschibachstrasse 22, 8037 Zurich – in the Wipkingen neighborhood, right at Wipkingerplatz, close to Wipkingen train station and Escher-Wyss-Platz. Conveniently accessible from districts 5, 6, and 10.

By public transport: tram lines 4, 8, 13, and 17, and buses 33, 46, and 72 – stop Wipkingerplatz, a few minutes’ walk from Wipkingen station. By car: underground parking directly in the building, plus short-stay parking spaces outside the entrance (max. 30 min.) for drop-off and pick-up. View on Google Maps.

Monday to Friday, 7:00 to 18:30. KiddieLand is open year-round and closes for only 3 weeks per year (2 weeks in August, 1 week over Christmas/New Year).

Yes, particularly so. The long opening hours, app-based communication, structured full-day care, and just 3 weeks of closure per year are all designed with working families in mind – especially those children in our all-day Kindergarten. Pricing and care models.

9. Enrollment, Availability & Costs

You can easily schedule a visit via the website. If an in-person visit is not possible, KiddieLand also offers a virtual tour or video call. Tip: bring your child along – you will immediately see how they respond to the environment. You can also explore the space online with the 360° Virtual Experience.

Get in touch via the online form, by phone (+41 44 271 60 60), or by email (hello@kiddieland.ch). A visit follows, then enrollment paperwork. Once the contract is signed, the settling-in process begins using the Berlin Model. More about enrollment.

The daily rate is currently CHF 170.– for children under 24 months and CHF 144.– for children over 24 months. A one-time registration fee and a refundable deposit also apply. As prices and care models can change, we recommend checking the current pricing page or getting in touch directly. We have all-inclusive rates.

Yes – KiddieLand offers subsidized places, at no extra charge and with the full range of services included. Whether you qualify for subsidies depends on your place of residence and income. For details, visit the City of Zurich website.

Is KiddieLand the right fit for your family?

KiddieLand has put together a short quiz to help you find out: Are we a match? – give it a go and see for yourself. We’d love to welcome you!

Start the quiz