We understand how important it is for parents to stay well-informed—especially when it comes to the wellbeing of their children. Here, you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Elly & Stoffl. If you need further information, we’re always happy to assist you.
At Elly & Stoffl, our preschool program is designed to prepare children for the transition to school. Using playful approaches, we nurture social skills, independence, and a love of learning – always tailored to the needs of the children. You can find more information about this here.
Our bilingual concept is based on the immersion principle. In each group, at least one educator with English or French as their native language communicates exclusively in that language throughout the day – with the children, colleagues, and you as parents. This “immersion” into the language happens naturally and without pressure, much like growing up in a bilingual household. The children quickly develop a passive understanding and begin to actively use the new language at their own pace. While nursery children primarily listen and observe, they start to express themselves more actively in kindergarten. You can find more information about this here.
At Elly & Stoffl, we follow the holistic health philosophy of Sebastian Kneipp, which is based on the five pillars of water, plants, movement, nutrition, and life balance.
- Healthy Nutrition: We provide freshly prepared, organic whole foods.
- Experiencing Nature: Children plant and harvest herbs in our small herb garden.
- Movement and Life Balance: Daily outdoor activities and relaxing sessions like Snoezelen promote physical and mental health.
- Water Treatments: Playful activities like lemon hand baths help strengthen the immune system.
You can find more information about this here.
If your child becomes ill, we kindly ask you to inform us so that we can notify the other parents in the group, this is especially important in the case of a contagious illness. The privacy of your child will of course always be maintained. In our posts, you will find a link to the Robert Koch Institute’s website, where you can learn more about the specific illness. Additionally, we will inform you about the requirements for returning to the group. A doctor’s note is generally not required, but we explicitly reserve the right to request one in the case of recurring infectious illnesses. If your child develops a fever while in our care, we will notify you by phone and ask you to pick up your child. A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) is used as a guideline, but it is the child’s overall health condition that will always be the deciding factor. Once the child has been fever-free for 48 hours without fever-reducing medication, they are welcome to return to the group. In the case of gastrointestinal illnesses, your child must also be symptom-free for 48 hours before returning.
Children who begin with us in the nursery are automatically given priority for a place in the kindergarten. Placement is based on specific criteria, such as parental employment status or whether they have siblings already enrolled. Placements are confirmed at the end of each year for the upcoming kindergarten term. Our goal is to offer a place to all transitioning nursery children, which we successfully achieve in most cases.
We offer attractive discounts for siblings:
- Second child: 50% discount on the enrollment fee and 5% off the childcare costs for the oldest child.
- Third child: No enrollment fee, 10% discount on the childcare costs for the oldest child, and 5% discount for the second-oldest child.
Childcare costs are based on the number of hours booked. Additionally, a catering fee is charged, and a one-time enrollment fee covering material and play costs. Some courses and excursions led by external specialists are offered as separate services.
Starter Package:
- Nursery: Summer hat & fleece neck warmer with Velcro fastening
- Kindergarten: Sun cap & backpack
Our services include:
- Maximum flexibility with long opening hours and minimal closure days (we are only closed on 4 days a year, and we are open on the days between Christmas and New Year).
- Additional conveniences such as on-site hairdressing, children’s library, and a variety of courses (e.g., swimming, skiing, acting).
- Regular evening presentations with experts that provide parents with insights into relevant educational topics.
Our daily opening hours from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM offer flexible scheduling for your childcare needs.
Nursery:
- Full-day care with 3-, 4-, or 5-day placements
- Minimum booking time: 7 hours per day
Kindergarten:
- Full-time placements, 5 days a week
- Minimum booking time: 8 hours per day
We recommend bringing your child by 9:00 AM at the latest to start the day with the group. Overtime is possible if needed and will be charged separately.
The settling-in process typically takes 3 to 4 weeks but may vary depending on individual needs. We approach this period with care and attention to your child’s needs (another word). You can find more information about this here.
The first step in the registration process is initiated by you as parents. Simply contact us via our registration form on the website, by email, or by phone. We will then check if a childcare spot is available for your desired start date. If a place is available, we will invite you to an Open House Tour at the location of your choice. During this appointment, you will get to know the house, receive important information, and the childcare contract. We will ask you to return the completed and signed contract to us; after which we will begin finalizing the contract process. Once it’s confirmed by both parties, you will receive written confirmation. Shortly before the starting date, the director of your chosen house will contact you to schedule a settling-in meeting during which all details regarding the settling-in process and the first few weeks at Elly & Stoffl will be discussed.
