Year 1 - Year 7
Primary School
ELABasel is a place where children feel valued, safe and secure.
Shape your child's future
ELABasel Primary School follows the Cambridge International Curriculum, which we have adapted to incorporate our international character and Swiss affiliation.
The curriculum is primarily taught in English and is planned to ensure that it is engaging, challenging and inspiring, so that children develop into motivated lifelong learners. Our children represent a wide variety of nationalities, which gives us a truly international perspective; our curriculum is enhanced by their richness of expertise and experience. Children are encouraged to be confident, independent learners who both benefit from and contribute to their class, school and wider community.
Our class teachers plan and prepare the curriculum and are supported by teaching assistants. We offer a high adult to student ratio which enables us to offer personalised teaching, encouragement and support in an optimum environment.
Book a visit and let us show you how it works in practice.
ELABasel cultivates the values of respect, integrity, compassion and intellectual independence.
There is a strong emphasis placed on high expectations of behaviour, good manners and contributing in a positive way to the community, together with respect for diversity and tolerance of others.
Our routine
Drop off and pick up (collection) times
| Morning Arrival | All children arrive between 07:30 and 08:25 |
| Afternoon Collection | Children are collected at 15:30 Monday to Thursday and 14:00 on Friday |
| After School Programme | Children may be collected between 17:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday |
Children in the Primary School may be dropped off from 07:30, where they have time to socialise with their friends before the school day begins at 08:25. Pupils are encouraged to enter the school independently and are welcomed by a member of staff on arrival.
Each class follows a structured timetable, with pupils moving between classrooms to receive specialist teaching in subjects such as German, French and Music. Morning break is supervised by adults and spent playing in our enclosed Hof. During morning break, children are provided with bread and fruit. Lunchtimes are staggered between 12:00 and 14:00, during which pupils enjoy meals prepared daily by our on-site chef.
Our philosophy is embedded throughout the school day. At lunchtime, for example, children sit and eat in small groups, encouraging social interaction and calm, respectful discussion about the events of the day.
ELABasel Primary School includes its children in decision-making processes. They are encouraged to express themselves articulately in order to contribute positively to the development of the community via consensus building and healthy debate.
This sense of responsibility helps them develop leadership, empathy, and collaboration, essential skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
A further pillar of student engagement is our House System, comprising the Houses Compassio, Unitatis, Fidus, and Fortitudo. The system is designed to promote teamwork, sustained effort, and community spirit across the school. Students in Year 5 and Year 7 play an especially important role in helping to run the House Point system, giving them genuine ownership and valuable leadership experience. Their involvement strengthens the sense of unity and shared purpose that defines our school culture.
The curriculum
ELABasel Primary School follows the Cambridge Curriculum, which is adapted to reflect our international community and Swiss setting.
Our Primary School begins when children transition from our Early Years provision at the Gartenstrasse site. The Reception class completes the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, and from Year 1 onwards pupils follow the Cambridge Curriculum.
Class teachers plan and deliver the curriculum, supported by teaching assistants. Our high adult-to-pupil ratio enables personalised teaching, encouragement and support within an optimal learning environment.
The curriculum is primarily taught in English and is carefully designed to be engaging, challenging and inspiring, supporting children to become motivated, lifelong learners. As pupils progress through the year groups, their exposure to German and French increases, with a growing range of subjects taught through German to support language development and integration within the Swiss context.
Our pupils represent a wide range of nationalities, creating a truly international learning environment. This diversity enriches the curriculum and classroom experience, and children are encouraged to become confident, independent learners who both benefit from and contribute positively to their class, school and wider community.
The following subject areas are covered in the curriculum
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- German
- French
- Geography
- History
- Music
- Computing
- Personal Social Health Education
- Religious Studies
- Design and Technology
- Art and Design
- Physical Education (including weekly swimming lessons)
Mathematics
Our Mathematics curriculum is designed to cultivate a deep understanding and appreciation for mathematics. From foundational concepts in the Early Years to more complex problem solving in higher grades, we ensure a progressive development of numerical skills.
Students are engaged through practical activities, real life applications and challenging puzzles, encouraging logical reasoning and analytical thinking.
Our approach emphasises not only mastering calculations but also understanding the underlying principles, preparing students to apply their mathematical knowledge confidently in various contexts.
English
Following the Cambridge curriculum, we place a strong emphasis on developing literacy, critical thinking and creative expression.
From mastering phonics in the early years to exploring classic and contemporary literature in later years, our program is tailored to nurture a love for reading and proficiency in writing. Students engage in a variety of activities including creative writing, structured debates and in depth text analysis, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of the language.
Through this balanced and immersive learning experience, we prepare our students to be articulate, thoughtful and imaginative thinkers.
Languages
We offer comprehensive French and German programmes, catering to students’ varying levels of proficiency.
Recognising the importance of immersive learning, languages are integrated across the curriculum, not limited to language classes alone. Students benefit from a dynamic approach that includes enrichment programmes and subjects like PE and swimming being taught in German.
This immersive experience ensures that students not only learn a new language but also live it, enhancing their communication skills and cultural understanding.
Communication & Language
We create a rich language environment to boost children’s confidence and skills in expressing themselves and to enhance their ability to listen and engage in a variety of situations. Their listening, understanding, and speaking skills are key assessment points.
Creative expression
Music, drama, art,
and design activities stimulate imagination
and creativity.
Critical thinking
Investigation, problem-solving, research, and debates hone analytical skills.
Collaboration
We emphasise the value of
cooperative learning by utilising ‘talk partners’, group projects, and role-plays.
Presentation skills
Encouraging pupils to share their ideas through oral presentations
and designing projects.
Our campus
Our Primary site at St. Alban-Vorstadt
The older Primary School children from age 4-12 attend school in our second spacious location on St. Alban-Vorstadt, in a quiet neighbourhood of historic mansions in the heart of the old city.
The school building is situated one street behind the river Rhine and is approximately a ten-minute walk from our Early Years location. It is a protected building that has been sympathetically renovated to accommodate all the schooling needs of our children and staff.
After-School programme
Our Afterschool and Enrichment Programmes are open to both ELABasel families and external families!
ELABasel’s After-School Programme (15:30-18:00) offers children the opportunity to be supervised after school whilst engaging in fun activities.
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 ELABasel, 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
ELABasel Tuition and Fees
Payment is due for each semester, but for a small premium you can split the fees into quarterly payments if you wish.
* For 19 of Switzerland’s 26 cantons (88% by population) compulsory education starts 1 August following a child’s fourth birthday, and lasts for 11 years.
A Swiss government map illustrating compulsory education in Switzerland by canton can be seen here (external site).
All tuition fees include BVB transport for local class trips and excursions, weekly swimming lessons with
qualified swim coaches, curriculum materials and a majority of excursions related to the curriculum.
| Tuition fees for Primary School (applicable August 2025 – July 2026) | ||
|---|---|---|
Semester fee | Quarterly fee | |
| Registration fee | CHF 500 per child upon contract signing | |
| One-time donation | CHF 1,500 for the first child and CHF 1,000 for each child thereafter | |
Primary school full time (5 days) | CHF 13,000 (CHF 26 000 per year) | CHF 6,640 (CHF 26 560 per year) |
| Catering | Parents may choose to enrol their child in our catering programme, which includes a morning snack and hot lunch. Enrollment is on a semester basis. | |
| Cost per semester – Morning snack, hot lunch – 5 days a week | CHF 1,000 | |
- ELABasel provides a family discount of 10% of the second child’s fees and 15% for the fees of the third child or any further child enrolled.
- No discounts are given to families with any portion of their fees invoiced directly to an employer or for families who also have a portion of their fees covered by Basel-Stadt.
- A registration fee of CHF 500- per child is due upon Primary Years contract signing.
- ELABasel requests a one-time donation of CHF 1,500 for the first child and CHF 1,000 for each child thereafter, to its Development Fund, at the time of Primary Years contract signing. This donation is tax-deductible.
- Our Fee Structure for 2025-2026 is here for your convenience.
Frequently asked questions
Children naturally absorb languages in our immersive environment. Our experienced educators use age-appropriate techniques to support individual language development.
Our experienced team regularly welcomes children from diverse language backgrounds. We provide gentle, supportive integration using proven techniques for multilingual development.
Our in-house chef accommodates all dietary requirements, allergies, and cultural preferences while maintaining our strict no-nut policy.
We provide daily updates through our digital journal, regular parent meetings, and immediate communication for important matters.
All staff are first-aid trained, and we maintain strict security measures. Our facilities are regularly inspected and meet all Swiss childcare regulations.
We have clear health policies which are explained in detail in our Parent Manual and trained staff to ensure the wellbeing of all children. We maintain close communication with parents regarding any health concerns.