School
The school
For children from 4 to 6 years
The school has “Swiss School impulse” certification and is a member of the Geneva Association of Private Schools (AGEP).
It welcomes children from 4 to 6 years old (1st and 2nd primary school years) on a daily basis.
Le Jardin des Particules prepares children for both the Swiss and French school systems taking into account the requirements of each. They are placed in the age groups based on their age on July 31st (if future schooling will be in Switzerland) or December 31st (if future schooling will be in France).
Functioning of the Jardin des Particules
Children join the School from the age of 4 and begin their compulsory education according to the 1P / 2P curriculum of the Plan d'Etudes Romand (PER).
We place children at the centre of the educational process and take into account the multicultural and multilingual diversity of our environment.
Although we mainly follow the Plan d'Etudes Romand (PER), we adapt this as necessary to best prepare and meet the needs of our children who come from around the world, sometimes for only a short period.
Your children begin their schooling and learn their job as pupils: They are at the heart of their education thanks to the provisions of the Swiss Plan d'Etudes Romand in five areas:
- Languages (French, English awareness)
- Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Arts
- Body and movement.
Like little scientists, children are placed at the centre of their experiences and learning.
The different educational philosophies that we follow—Montessori, Reggio Emilia, flexible class—help and facilitate the learning of concepts for each child, because each child is unique.
English awareness sessions are given in small groups on four afternoons per week. Swimming sessions are held on Wednesday afternoons.
The school is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a canteen service is available upon registration.
Children develop their self-confidence and curiosity in a stimulating yet peaceful environment.
Children leaving the 2P class will have acquired the necessary mastery of French, the concepts and skills required by the PER of the Swiss Department of Public Instruction, and will be ready to continue their education in public or private schools whether in Switzerland or in France.
In the Swiss system, children are assigned to a year group according to their age on July 31st. For the French system, assignment is according to the age on December 31st.
Registration priorities
The Jardin des Particules is open to children of CERN staff members. However, subject to availability, registration may be open to children whose parents do not work at CERN.
Registration priorities are as follows:
- Re-registrations
- Siblings
- Children of CERN staff members (MP) or of Le Jardin des Particules staff; single parent families having priority
- Children with a parent working on the CERN site
- Children with a parent working in another international organization
- Others
If you wish to know if a place is available, please complete the pre-registration form.
Arrangements for reception and attendance
The school is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6.15 p.m.
The school welcomes children aged over 4 years old on July 31st for five full days per week from 8 am to 6 pm. Host groups are organized in double level classes (1P-2P).
The number of classes may vary depending on the number of children registered.
Children must be in their class no later than 8:30 a.m.
The lunch break is from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Parents of children not registered in the canteen must pick up their child at 12:15 p.m. and leave the premises by 12:30 p.m. at the latest.
In the afternoon, the school is open from 1.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Children must join their group at 1:30 p.m.
Parents must pick up their child by 6:00 p.m. at the latest and must have left the premises by 6:15 p.m. at the latest.
! In order to ensure the proper functioning of the school, parents are required to respect school hours and to pick up their children on time. After 3 reminders, the Jardin des Particules management committee will apply financial penalties if school hours are not respected.
The school welcomes children from September to June inclusive. A summer camp is offered for the 4 weeks in July.