Basel's Leading Bilingual Kita and Early Years Centre
At ELA Basel children learn for the future
Shape Your Child's Future with ELA Basel
Book a personal tour of our bilingual Kita and discover why families call us their "home from home" Early Years Centre.
Now accepting applications for ages 3 months to 4 years, with Basel-Stadt subsidy for city residents.
Commencing in January 2025, we are offering afternoon care (14:00-18:30) every weekday. Places are limited, so book now to guarantee your child’s place.
Welcome from our Head of Early Years
As Head of Early Years, I am proud to lead a dedicated team of professionals who create a genuine 'home from home' environment for our children.
We refer to our programme as Early Years, reflecting our commitment to providing care and education during these foundational years. Depending on where in the world you are from, you may know it as a daycare, Kita, nursery, or another term.
Our bilingual Kita programme provides more than just childcare — we nurture each child's natural curiosity and potential in both English and German.
From our youngest babies to preschoolers preparing for primary school, every child in our care receives the individual attention and support they need to thrive.
I invite you to visit our Early Years centre and experience first-hand the warm, nurturing environment that makes ELA Basel special.
Katherine Robinson
Head of Early Years
The ELA Basel Early Years Experience
Your Child's Second Family (Ages 3 months - 4 years)
At ELA Basel's bilingual Kita, every child is cherished as one of our own.
In our historic Gartenstrasse building, very close to Basel SBB, we have created more than just an Early Years setting — we have built a warm, nurturing second home where children thrive in a natural German and English-speaking environment.
Our location is within walking distance or reachable by a very short tram ride from Altstadt Grossbasel, Gellert, Gundeli, Dreispitz, Bruderholz, Iselin, Gotthelf, Bachletten and many other inner city residential areas.
If you would like to visit our wonderful campus from the comfort of your home, now you can.
A True 'Home Away From Home' Experience
“For me, ELA was the best decision - one I would make over & over again.” - Carolina (ELA Basel Early Years Parent)
"We really appreciate the warmth, professionalism and engagement from the teachers." - Juan (ELA Basel Early Years Parent)
“After his trial day my son was raving about ELA and could not wait to go back.” - Sharon (ELA Basel Early Years and Primary Parent)
“Having a bilingual environment is useful and I would recommend ELA 100%.” - Marta (ELA Basel Early Years Parent)
This is just some of the wonderful feedback we have received from our families. You can watch some parent testimonial videos at the bottom of this page.
At ELA Basel, we believe in creating a sense of community for the parents and guardians and recreating a calm and homely atmosphere for the children. We offer:
- A warm, family-like atmosphere where every child is known and valued
- Long-serving, dedicated Kita staff who feel like an extended part of the family
- Consistent caregivers building deep, trusting relationships
- Daily communication ensures parents never miss a moment
- Community events that bring families together
Our Curriculum
The first five years are pivotal in your child’s life, setting the stage for their future well-being, happiness, development, and success in learning.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, which sets the standard for how children from 3 months 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 and interest and enables them to learn at their own pace.
Our Bilingual Approach
At ELA Basel, bilingual education is not just an add-on, it is woven into every moment of your child's day. Our unique approach ensures natural language acquisition through:
Our 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.
- Secure, enclosed playground with climbing equipment
- Age-appropriate rooms on dedicated floors
- Natural play areas including a climbing frame, slide and sandpit
- Specially designed spaces for rest and active play
- Children's library and reading corners
- Art and creative spaces
- Dedicated areas for messy play and exploration
- Extended Kita hours (06:30-18:30)
Our Age Appropriate Rooms
Our 11 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.
The spaces are laid out so that children can move freely, and resources are organised in a way that each child can access them independently.
Nutrition and Mealtimes
At ELA Basel, we believe that healthy bodies fuel growing minds.
Our in-house chef prepares fresh, nutritious meals and snacks daily, offering seasonal menus crafted with locally sourced ingredients to delight every child. We cater for all dietary needs and support baby weaning and we prioritise safe, wholesome mealtimes.
With a no-nut policy, nutritionist-designed menus, and a focus on accommodating allergies and preferences, we ensure every bite is a step toward healthy development.
Our guarantee:
- Fresh, nutritious meals prepared daily by our in-house chef
- Family-style dining that promotes social skills
- Seasonal menus with local ingredients
- Morning and afternoon healthy snacks
- Special dietary requirements accommodated
- No-nut policy for safety
- Baby weaning support working alongside parents
- Careful attention to food allergies and preferences
- Menus designed by nutrition experts
Check out our Weekly Menu
Menu Early Years
Our International Community
At ELA Basel, we celebrate diversity and inclusivity, creating a vibrant multicultural community of families from over 35 nations.
We are very fortunate to have a very supportive parent association Friends of ELA (FELA), who are very active in organising social and community events. These activities support the community feel and enable the creation of very special bonds between families.
Our welcoming environment fosters strong parent partnerships, ensuring open communication and collaboration in your child’s early learning journey.
Furthermore, our staff organise regular community and family events, bringing families together to build meaningful connections and a sense of belonging.
When you join us, you will become part of a family where cultural richness and shared experiences enhance every child’s growth and development.
ELA Basel Early Years fees
In August 2024, ELA Basel became part of the Basel-Stadt Subsidy Scheme.
With this change, we can now offer:
- Income-based subsidies available for eligible families
- Support with the subsidy application process
- Transparent fee structure
- Flexible attendance options (minimum 40%)
- Inclusive pricing covering all meals, care products, and activities
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I have any combination of days per week?
- Can I add extra days whenever I like?
- Can I have the additional options service without regular attendance?
- Are there any family discounts?
- What are your opening hours?
- How does the Basel-Stadt subsidy scheme work?
- How do children adapt to two languages?
- What if my child doesn't speak either German or English?
- How do you handle dietary requirements?
- How do you communicate with parents?
- What are your health and safety protocols?
- How do you handle illness?
Can I have any combination of days per week?
Can I add extra days whenever I like?
Can I have the additional options service without regular attendance?
Are there any family discounts?
What are your opening hours?
How does the Basel-Stadt subsidy scheme work?
How do children adapt to two languages?
What if my child doesn't speak either German or English?
How do you handle dietary requirements?
How do you communicate with parents?
What are your health and safety protocols?
How do you handle illness?
Come and visit our ELA Basel Early Years setting. A warm welcome awaits!
Our staff and management team will be delighted to give you a tour of our campus, answer your questions, and discuss any aspect of our programme in detail.
Book a personal tour using the calendar below.
What our families say
"What we really appreciate about ELA is the warmth professionalism and engagement that we feel from the teachers at every level."
"The caregivers are something else. I know it's a cliché to say we're a family but it really is a family here."
"The teachers, it's the way they teach the children, it's not just like they're doing it for what they'll get at the end of the month. They do it from the heart and that is what makes ELA feel like home."
"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 in a safe, secure and nurturing setting"
Early Years Family
"My children truly loved their time at ELA Basel which is a truly caring school. We are very grateful that we found your school and our children had the opportunity to learn at ELA Basel."
Year 5 Family
"We've had nothing but a pleasureable experience during our time at ELA Basel. It's a wonderful school with excellent leadership. Not to mention the teachers were of the highest quality with small class sizes. ELA Basel is a special place that is doing wonderful things. Keep it up!"
Year 7 family