Kindergarten
kindergarten the start of a child’s educational journey and the beginning of their independence. Openness, curiosity, a love of learning, and enthusiasm must be nurtured and supported during these crucial years. It is during these early years that we lay the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling future.
Kindergarten
Our kindergarten for children ages 4 to 6.
Enrollment in kindergarten, the transition to primary school, is not strictly based on age. In some cases, children under the age of 4 may be admitted to kindergarten , provided certain requirements are met. Similarly, enrollment does not strictly follow a “cutoff date,” but can take place at any time during the year—as soon as the child is ready.
The same applies to the transition to primary school. This takes place when the child has acquired the necessary skills and is ready for this step. A child is allowed to try out primary school for several days before the transfer takes place. Here too, our structure adapts to the child. Many children transfer to primary school during the school year ... either because they are "ready" a few months earlier, or sometimes because they need a little more time.
It is important to move away from fixed and linear thinking in terms of year groups or predetermined learning objectives. The SOT approach is holistic, sustainable and long-term. Personalization ensures that every child can develop their potential. This means that the cycles - and School of Tomorrow as a whole - adapt to each child.
Surroundings
We do not have conventional classrooms or fixed age divisions. Instead, we offer a wide variety of learning spaces that can be used specifically depending on the project and work.
Homebase & Micro-Environments:
The “Homebase” is the main area for the mixed-age group—much like a marketplace where everyone gathers, interacts, and discusses all sorts of things. In addition, we have our so-called “Micro-Environments,” which serve specific functions and have distinct structures. In kindergarten , these kindergarten both separate rooms and designated niches, corners, or learning areas. Children thus learn very early on to respect and make use of the various structures and learning environments, as well as to choose the appropriate setting for their work, project, or play on their own.
This means that every child can move around in their preferred environment at almost any time. Those who need more peace and quiet can withdraw, those who want more action have the space to do so. The design is constantly being adapted or redesigned to provide new stimuli and encourage creativity.
Flexibility
Times:
The SOT does not charge extra fees for childcare time before the start or at the end of the day. This means that the arrival and pick-up times can be chosen freely and spontaneously on any school day.
drop-off time: 8:00 - 10:00 am
Pick-up time: 16:00 - 18:00
All without extra costs or advance planning!
Holidays:
In order to further relieve the burden on families and to personalize the offer, SOT only closes for three weeks during the summer vacations and three weeks at Christmas/New Year. For the rest of the school year, SOT always remains open (except for public holidays).
Fixed: 3 weeks summer vacation and 3 weeks Christmas vacation
Flexible: Up to 6 additional vacation weeks can be taken as desired.
We only close for 6 weeks a year!
(For comparison: public schools close for 13-14 weeks, international schools even close for up to 18 weeks).
School fees
The tuition atSchool of Tomorrow kindergarten School of Tomorrow nearly all services, ensuring maximum transparency and predictability. The monthly fee includes personalized instruction, project-based learning, all necessary materials, and personalized educational support. Also included are a hot lunch prepared fresh daily and healthy snacks. The program is complemented by regular field trips, events, and family evenings (SOT Nights). This creates a holistic, reliable, and family-friendly model that offers children room to grow and provides parents with real relief.
The Friday Club (additional day of supervision on Fridays) is optional and can be booked flexibly per trimester.
kindergarten Elementary at SOT
Schloss Sihlberg ZH Enge
Gerichtsplatz - Uster
If you have any questions about the school or the registration process, please contact us by e-mail: admissions@schooloftomorrow.ch
Book your private tour
Are you curious about our Schloss Sihlberg or Uster campuses? Book your private tour now and experience our campuses up close. Learn more about our unique learning environments and ask any questions you may have.
Get to know the SOT team
The School of Tomorrow team consists of educators (trained and recognized teachers), mentors (teachers with a subject-specific focus or training) and experts (specialists in a certain discipline).
The team is in constant communication and meets weekly to exchange ideas, discuss projects and plans and to ensure that each individual child receives the best possible care, support and encouragement.
The children are not assigned a class teacher in the conventional sense. Every team member is there for every child. Educators divide up the areas of responsibility and the children enjoy a variety of contact persons who are all there for them. Our team ensures that there is variety, exchange and constant new impulses and creates personalized learning plans for each child.
Our locations
School of Tomorrow offers different school grades at three locations.
Our school offers a first-class education at three locations for kindergarten, primary, secondary and gymnasium. As not all school grades are available at every location, you will find an overview here to help you choose the best possible place of learning for your child.
Schloss Sihlberg (ZH Enge)
Kindergarten & Primary
Uster
Kindergarten & Primary
Augustinerhof (ZH City)
Secondary & Gymnasium
FAQ
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kindergarten is designed for children aged 4 to about 6, with flexible enrollment throughout the school year.
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Admission to primary school is not solely determined by age or a cutoff date, but rather on the skills the child has acquired and their individual readiness. Before the transition, children have the opportunity to participate in several trial days at the primary school. While some children are ready to move up earlier, others need more time. SOT tailors the transition to each child’s needs.
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There are no traditional classrooms. Instead, the kindergarten a “home base” as a central gathering place for the mixed-age group, as well as so-called “micro-environments”—specifically designed learning spaces, nooks, and areas with different functions. During free play, the children independently choose the appropriate environment for play, quiet time, or collaborative work. However, during guided, teacher-led activities, the use of the spaces is structured and tailored to the specific learning situation.
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drop-off time is daily between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and pick-up time is between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. This flexibility is available at no extra cost and without advance planning. Regular kindergarten Monday through Thursday; Friday is available as an optional Friday Club.
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The monthly tuition fee covers personalized, student-centered instruction, project-based learning, all learning materials, individualized educational support, a hot lunch prepared fresh daily, healthy snacks, regular field trips, events, and SOT Nights. The optional Friday Club can be added flexibly on a per-trimester basis.
You can find all the details about prices and terms on our tuition page.
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SOT is closed for only six weeks during the kindergarten year: three weeks for summer vacation and three weeks for Christmas and New Year’s break. In addition, families can take up to six more weeks off at their convenience throughout the year. This offers significantly more flexibility than public schools (13–14 weeks of closure) or international schools (up to 18 weeks).
You can find the complete school calendarhere.
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At kindergarten , German and English are integrated into daily life rather than taught in fixed class periods. About half of the staff are German-speaking, and the other half are English-speaking. As a result, the children are exposed to both languages in an authentic way from the very beginning and develop an intuitive understanding of both, as well as the ability to express themselves in both languages without the need for formal translation and without feeling pressured to perform.
Learn more on our page aboutbilingual education.
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There is no designated homeroom teacher. All team members are responsible for all the children and meet weekly to ensure individualized support.
The groups are mixed-age, so children of different ages learn together. The team consists of educators (trained teachers), mentors, and specialists. There are no assigned homeroom teachers; all team members share responsibility for the children and meet regularly each week to ensure individualized support.
You can learn more about our team on our Team page.
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kindergarten has two locations: Schloss Sihlberg Zürich Enge (Sihlberg 10, 8002 Zürich) and Gerichtsplatz Uster (Gerichtsplatz , 8610 Uster). You can register via the online form or by email to admissions@schooloftomorrow.ch.
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Yes, students can join the school at any time during the school year. Tuition is calculated on a pro-rata basis for the remaining months. Before the child officially enrolls, we offer open house days so that the child and the family can get a full picture of the school.
