A Nurturing Start to Bilingual Learning
At Four Forest, our Early Years programme begins with Preschool and continues into 1st Kindergarten (1KG)—laying the foundation for confident, curious, and capable learners. Set in a caring, bilingual environment, each stage is thoughtfully designed to meet children’s developmental needs while celebrating the joy of discovery.
Children learn through play, language immersion, and engaging experiences tailored to their age. Our small group sizes and supportive educators ensure each child feels seen, safe, and encouraged—whether they’re taking their first steps into group life or beginning to explore early academic skills.
We offer full-day care options to meet the needs of modern families and provide a consistent, structured, and joyful environment.
Jump down to:
A Unique Bilingual Experience
Our distinctive bilingual approach ensures that children alternate between Swiss German and English learning spaces daily, taught by teachers and assistants who work in their native language or a language in which they are fluent.
This immersive experience builds a strong foundation in both languages, fostering confidence and communication skills in a playful, engaging way.
Curriculum
Learning Through Play
Our programme blends elements of the Swiss Curriculum (Lehrplan 21) with aspects of the British Early Years Framework, focusing on key areas such as personal, social and emotional development, language and literacy, physical growth, mathematics and the creative arts.
We adapt these frameworks to meet children at their developmental stage—whether they’re just beginning group life in Preschool or ready for deeper exploration in 1st Kindergarten.
Preschool (Ages 3–4)
- Children who are 3 years old by 31 May (Zug) or 31 July (Luzern) before the start of the school year in August
- Children who turn 3 after these dates, provided they are no longer in diapers
Preschool at Four Forest follows a two-year rolling programme of playful, theme-based learning that adapts to children’s developmental stages.
Core areas of focus include:
- Social-emotional development: Building trust with caregivers, feeling secure in a group, and learning to express needs and feelings
- Language development: Immersive exposure to both English and Swiss German through stories, songs, and play
- Motor development: Strengthening fine and gross motor skills through painting, sorting, climbing, and crafts
- Cognitive development: Encouraging first explorations of cause and effect, patterns, and symbolic thinking through open-ended play
Daily routines include circle time, music, movement, outdoor play, and plenty of opportunities for free exploration.
1st Kindergarten (Ages 4–5)
Our 1st Kindergarten welcomes children who are 4 years old by 31 May (Zug) or 31 July (Luzern) before the start of the school year in August.
In 1KG, children become more active learners, capable of longer concentration and deeper engagement with the world around them. The learning environment becomes more structured while remaining playful and hands-on.
Key learning areas include:
- Personal and social development: Taking responsibility for small tasks, participating in group decisions, and reflecting on actions
- Early literacy: Introduction to phonological awareness, phonics, letters, and early writing (e.g., names and familiar words)
- Early mathematics: Exploring numbers, counting, and quantities in everyday contexts
- Creative and physical development: Expressing ideas through art, music, movement, and play
Language learning becomes more intentional, with children beginning to compare vocabulary across languages and engage in structured language games. Teachers use strategies such as scaffolding and story-based learning to support bilingual development.
Join us for a Personal Tour
We warmly welcome families throughout the year, offering tailored personal tours on a day that suits you, including school holidays.
Exploring the Natural World
Every now and then, our children venture into the forest for an unforgettable half-day experience. In this natural setting, they develop motor skills, strength, concentration, and self-confidence, while gaining a deeper connection to the changing seasons and the world around them.
At Four Forest, we believe in creating a joyful and stimulating environment where your child can flourish.
Begin an unforgettable adventure
Our school ensures top-quality care, providing a strong academic education while recognising a child’s social, physical, and emotional development.
3 - 5 years old
5 - 6 years old
6 - 12 years old
12 - 15 years old
