Next on-campus Open House events: Pre-school & Primary 8th October 2025 I Middle & High School 9th October 2025
Every parent wants to give their child the best start in life. But did you know that the first five years of childhood shape a child’s future in ways that might surprise you? Research shows that by age 5, a child’s brain has already reached 90% of its adult size, forming neural connections at lightning speed. In fact, 80% of the human brain’s structure develops by age 3 – and 90% by age 5. These early years are when the foundations for learning, health, and behavior are built. In other words, the Pre-school years are not “extras” – they are essential.
In early childhood, millions of neural connections are made as children explore the world around them. Positive, enriching experiences during these years become the strongest foundation for later educational achievement and even lifelong health. During this period, children are like sponges – soaking up language, social skills, and problem-solving abilities through play and interaction. For example, when a toddler stacks blocks or sings a song, they’re not “just playing” – they’re developing spatial reasoning, language pathways, and creativity.
The International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), followed at Collège du Léman (CDL) Pre-school, is built on the principle that young children learn best through a balance of play, sensory exploration, discovery, and structured topic-based learning. By engaging children in stories, songs, and hands-on activities, the programme nurtures their curiosity, supports their development, and makes learning joyful.
CDL Pre-school offers a bilingual, play-rich programme for 2–6 year-olds in Geneva. Families are welcome to book a personal tour or join a “Stay & Play” discovery session to experience our approach first-hand.
Scientists often call early childhood a “critical window” of development, and it’s easy to see why. Skills like empathy, self-confidence, and self-control take root in the first years of life. A child who learns to take turns in Pre-school, for instance, is mastering social rules that will aid them in teamwork later on. Likewise, early exposure to rich language – whether through a bilingual story time or a caring teacher’s conversation – literally strengthens the parts of the brain that handle communication and reading.
It’s no wonder studies find that investing in high-quality early education yields big returns for society (one study estimated an $8 to $1 return in later productivity and savings on remedial costs). More immediately for parents, you’ll likely notice that children who attend a nurturing Pre-school transition more smoothly into primary school, both academically and emotionally.
At CDL Pre-school, teachers use the IEYC framework to introduce early concepts of math, language, and science in age-appropriate ways. The curriculum combines structured learning with playful exploration, so children encounter topics in ways that feel meaningful to them. Outdoor play and discovery are also part of this balance – whether it’s noticing the weather, observing seasonal changes, or exploring cause and effect in nature. These small moments add up to significant gains in cognitive and social development.
“The teachers really respect the children, give them space to express themselves, and support them as they learn new languages.” – CDL Pre-school Parent
This kind of individualized, caring environment is what sets quality Pre-schools apart. CDL’s small class sizes (average of 16 children with a 1:8 staff-student ratio) mean each child gets personal attention. Teachers can spot a child’s interests and talents early – whether your little one loves building towers or painting butterflies – and tailor activities to nurture that spark. At the same time, any challenges (big feelings, shyness with others, etc.) will be gently guided to help new children settle in confidently.What happens (or doesn’t happen) in the early years doesn’t stay in the early years – it echoes through your child’s entire education journey. A child who discovers that learning is fun at age 3 is more likely to be a confident, curious learner at 13. Early development of empathy and self-regulation helps children form strong friendships and handle the ups and downs of growing up. And early exposure to diversity – like hearing multiple languages or celebrating different cultures in class – plants the seeds of open-mindedness and adaptability in our globally connected world.
The Pre-school years matter profoundly. They are the time to build a sturdy base – socially, emotionally, and intellectually – upon which all later learning will rest. As a parent, recognizing the significance of these years is the first step. The next is choosing an early education environment that will partner with you in maximizing your child’s potential.
At Collège du Léman’s Pre-school, we understand how important these early years are for your child’s development. Our warm, bilingual programme is designed to give 2–6 year-olds the best start in life, combining structured topics with playful exploration. To learn more about nurturing your child’s foundation for future success, we invite you to join us for a “Stay & Play” discovery session or book a personal tour of our campus.
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