ELA Basel Early Years Prospectus

Learning for the future

An ELA Basel education provides your child with the skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to grow into a caring, well-rounded young person.

Welcome to ELA Basel

Welcome to ELA Basel, a vibrant and nurturing Early Years and Primary school in the heart of Basel. We pride ourselves on creating a family environment to support our children’s development and growth.

We blend the best of the Swiss and British education programmes with a focus on science, the arts and technology.

Our campuses have been carefully designed to cater to the diverse needs of our children, creating an environment that supports creativity, learning, and personal growth

Our Gartenstrasse campus, situated near Basel SBB, caters to our Early Years children aged three months to 4 years, while our Wildensteinerhof campus, just a stone's throw away from Basel Münster, is tailored for Primary students aged 4 to 12 years. With small class sizes and a high teacher-tostudent ratio, we ensure that each child receives the individualised care and support they deserve.

Diversity is at the core of our community, with ELA Basel welcoming children and educators from over 35 countries. This enriching culture provides daily opportunities for celebrations and learning from one another.

ELA Basel is governed by a highly experienced Board and buoyed by the unwavering support of our parent community

An education at ELA Basel equips your child with the skills, attitudes, and knowledge essential for blossoming into compassionate, well-rounded individuals

We would love to connect with you and discuss how we can shape your child's future Feel free to reach out to us with any enquiries.

Katherine Robinson Head of Early Years

Our Vision

In Early Years at ELA Basel, we believe independence is the foundation for learning. By providing a welcoming, childfriendly environment, we believe children will become happy, confident and resilient individuals.

Introduction

Since 1993, ELA Basel has provided childcare, dedicating ourselves to providing a nurturing and enriching experience for children and their families.

Following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS), we welcome children from 3 months to 4 years old

Our highly qualified team of professionals includes a Head of Early Years guiding our vision, two Deputy Heads leading our learning environment, dedicated room leaders, and assistants.

Behind the scenes, our expert chef, housekeeper, and auxiliary staff work tirelessly to ensure each child enjoys nutritious meals and thrives in a clean and welcoming space

The children will benefit from a bilingual environment, where staff communicate in English and German on 50/50 split basis.

During core hours, one caregiver will speak German and another in English, encouraging bilingual development from an early age.

In addition, our staff are proficient in a wide range of languages, ensuring that communication in your preferred language is always possible.

Safeguarding is embedded within the high-quality childcare we provide. All of our staff undergo police and rigorous reference checks during the recruitment process, while our Head of Early Years is our Designated Safeguarding Lead. We create a secure environment that feels as safe as home Our team is continuously trained to uphold the highest safety standards, ensuring peace of mind for every family

We know that choosing a nursery for your child is an important decision, and we are delighted that you are considering ELA Basel for your child’s education If you have any further questions, please call us or register for a visit. Contact details can be found on the back page

Learning Environment

At ELA Basel, your child’s well-being is our main priority, and we are proud to offer a nurturing environment that ensures children are safe and stimulated.

Environment

Our rooms have been created to be dynamic environments that encourage children to be independent, promoting exploration, imaginative play and learning We offer a natural and authentic setting that provides a wide range of resources, games, creative tools and materials that provide children with “real-life experiences”

Our rooms are laid out so that children can move freely, and resources are organised in a way that each child can access them independently

Organisation and Ratios

Our Early Years building at Gartenstrasse is a carefully designed space that welcomes children, creating an intimate yet engaging environment.

From the youngest infants (3 - 17 months) comfortably settled on the ground floor with a nurturing 1:3 adult-to-child ratio to the energetic toddlers (18 to 3 year’s old) exploring four vibrant rooms on the first floor with a 1:4 ratio, curious preschoolers (3 year’s old to 4 years+) spreading their wings on the top floor in four rooms with a 1:8 ratio, every age group has its own specially tailored and age-appropriate space.

Learning environment

Outdoor

Our children enjoy the benefits of a secure, enclosed playground equipped with fantastic climbing equipment that aligns with our ethos of encouraging natural play and development.

This outdoor area is designed to promote interaction among children of all ages. It features a mud kitchen, sand pit, and tricycles, providing a variety of options for children to explore their environment

Wider Community

Along with our excellent resources within ELA Basel, we extend our learning environment to embrace the wider community. Children are given the opportunity to explore the local area with visits to the library, parks, the zoo, art exhibitions, museums and the forest

These outings are not only enjoyable but also crucial for developing a sense of community and understanding of the world around them

Garden Parties

garden par re than just hering. The portunities f d children to ether to sha eriences th dren’s grow mories and friendships

Our Curriculum

The first five years are pivotal in your child’s life, setting the stage for their future wellbeing, happiness, development, and success in learning

We follow the he Early Years Foundation Stage sets the standard for how children from birth to five years old learn and develop.

Our curriculum is designed to build on what children already know and can do, giving them a strong foundation of knowledge and skills for future learning.

We provide activities that are suitable for each child's age and stage of development across seven areas promoting three prime areas and four specific areas This carefully considers each child's readiness, interest and enabling them to learn at their own pace.

Areas of Learning and Aspects of Early Years Foundation Stage

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Our ethos is centred around providing children with experiences to help them develop into well-rounded little people We provide opportunities for children to express preferences, share ideas, and articulate feelings, encouraging a sense of empathy and community

Communication and Language

Recognising the importance of communication, we support children in unfamiliar situations, aiding them in expressing what they want and helping them to articulate their thoughts. We focus on expanding their vocabulary and polite interaction and encourage them to be creative through imaginative play

Physical Development Understanding the World

Physical education is a crucial component of building lifelong healthy habits in early childhood. From the outset, we emphasise the importance of health and physical well-being through a range of stimulating activities. Children learn to move confidently, navigate spaces safely, and easily handle equipment and tools.

At ELA Basel, we help children relate the world around them to their own experiences and encourage them to celebrate what makes them an individual Through books, stories, activities and experiences, we help children make sense of their environment.

School readiness is assured by a seamless transition into Primary Years

Mathematics Expressive Arts & Design

Children learn through a range of experiences. Children in Early Years develop their imagination by experimenting with various tools and mediums Music, movement, messy play and art activities encourage children in our care to explore and investigate the world around them.

Literacy

Our goal is to instil a love of reading from a young age. We have a diverse selection of books, blending fact with fiction and fun narratives with captivating illustrations. In Preschool, the use of phonics phases 1 and 2 helps the children form the correct sounds of letters and words.

Maths is made enjoyable to our children through fun and meaningful activities. We introduce concepts such as counting in doubledigits and sequencing numbers, enhancing mathematical skills through playful learning.

As the children get older, literacy activities intend to support more structured writing skills

Keeping a Record

All of our children have an online journal.

This builds a special record of each child’s experiences and journey through their early years, explicitly developed for EYFS Using photos, videos and diary entries, ELA Basel and parents can weave the story of the child’s progress and development together.

The communication between staff and parents helps build a shared understanding of how every child can reach their full potential and allows parents to stay in touch with their child wherever they are.

What Makes Us Special?

AtELABasel, we pride ourselves in creatingasuperb“homeawayfromhome” environment.Children are not just educated,theyarecaredforandguidedtogrow intoconfident, resilient and joyful children withskillsfor the future. Thechildrenare treatedas unique individuals, and the environmentreflectstheirneedsandinterests. Thesetting is ledby a highly experiencedlong-servingstaff.

ELA Basel's unique features:—

ComprehensiveCare:

Our fees encompasseverythingeach child'sneedsthroughouttheirday, includinghighly nutritioussnacksand lunches, nappies,andcareproducts, ensuring a worry-freeexperiencefor parents.

PrimeLocation:

Our settingis convenientlysituatednear the citycentre,the SBBtrainstation and easilyaccessible bytram.

Multi-Lingual Staff:

Our teamiscomposedofstaffwho speaka variety oflanguages,ensuring that communicationisseamlessand inclusive.This diversitymeansthat families from variousbackgroundswill always finda welcomingand understandableenvironmentatELA Basel.

Expansive Outdoor Space:

We boast a large garden and designated areas tailored for our youngest children, providing ample space for exploration and play in a natural setting.

Parental Engagement:

Through online portfolios, parents gain valuable insights into their child's progress and development, fostering a collaborative partnership between home and ELA Basel

Safety First:

All our staff are trained in first aid, ensuring the well-being and safety of your child at all times.

Heritage Setting:

Our beautiful historic building offers a unique and inspiring environment for children to learn and play

Our commitment to giving your child the best start in life includes a strong focus on the importance of a well-balanced diet.

A Well-balanced Diet

We provide healthy snacks and nutritious meals freshly prepared in our kitchen. Our menus are thoughtfully crafted to ensure each child receives a varied intake of fruits and vegetables each day, along with a selection of foods that support a healthy lifestyle.

The transition from breastfeeding or bottle to solid food will be approached individually with each family We will work in partnership with the families to ensure we meet the child's dietary needs. Below is an example of one of our rotating weekly menus, showcasing the nutritious meals your child can enjoy in our care. We take into account any dietary requirements, allergies and we follow a no nut policy

Morning Snack

Fruit and bread

Fruit and bread

Fruit and bread

Fruit and bread

Lunch

Vegetarian option

Creamy vegetable soup, zucchini & cheese crepes and Green Salad

Filipino chicken Adobo with wild rice & smashed cucumber Salad

Tofu Adobo with wild rice & smashed cucumber Salad

Fusilli pasta with creamy tomato sauce and grilled vegetables

Meatloafwith potato croquettes &greenbeans

Afternoon Snack

Yoghurt with granola

Tortilla chips and guacamole Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Brioche and jam with milk

Vegetable soufflewith potato croquettesand greenbeans

Fruit salad and corn waffles

Fruit and bread

Grilled salmon with boiled potatoes in lemon sauce & provencal tomato

Grilled herbs tofu with boiled potatoes & provenca tomato

Banana bread

School Transition

We aim to ensure that all children develop a love of learning that will follow them throughout their educational journey. Part of this is to ensure they are ready for school when the time comes.

At the preschool stage, getting the transition right is vital for every child, and we view this as a process rather than a single event When smooth school transitions occur, there are enormous benefits for children’s personal, social and emotional development and future school success

For those transitioning into ELA Basel's primary school, we host several events aimed at familiarising children and parents with the routines and expectations of primary school, while also supporting them through the emotional challenges of this significant change.

Opening Hours and Age Range

ELA Basel operates Monday to Friday, from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, throughout 48 weeks of the year, with closures on Basel-Stadt Bank Holidays, 2 weeks Summer break and 2 weeks Christmas break. The dates will be provided in the beginning of each year enabling parents to plan ahead.

We offer

Extended opening hours from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm

Availability for half day (morning) sessions

Minimum of 40% enrolment (e g 4 half days or 2 full days)

Age Ranges

Babies: 3 to 17 months

Toddlers: 18 to 36 months

Preschool: 3 to 4 years

Our Early Years provides flexible wrap-around care with both core hours and an extended day option available

ELA Basel is like a home away from home for my two children in Early Years. It makes all the difference to our family knowing how much care and attention each child receives

ELA Basel Parent

Our inclusive international community prepares young people for the future.

If you’d like to find out more, please contact us to arrange your personal visit of the school.

ELA Basel, Gartenstrasse 93, 4052 Basel, Switzerland

Telephone: +41 61 313 05 80 Email: office@ela-basel.ch

www.ela-basel.ch