4.9 — 7 Google reviews
DE

Here, children become independent.

«Help me to do it myself!» This principle shapes the work of the qualified teachers at the Montessori kindergarten and playgroup in Meilen. Children from 3 to 6 are supported here in small groups, lovingly and as whole people, at their own pace – on half or full days.

Our approach
Nine children in orange safety vests and a teacher sit on wide outdoor steps in front of a climbing wall
«Help me to do it myself!»Guiding principle of Maria Montessori

1×forest day once a week

1×sports hall once a week

1×playground once a week

three to six yearsAge
2014licensed and recognised by the AMS
1998since 1998
3 minwalk from Meilen station
★ Recognised setting

Licensed by the Swiss Montessori Association

Licensed settings of the Swiss Montessori Association have completed a thorough recognition process and meet a detailed set of criteria based on international Montessori standards.

View the Montessori Switzerland listing ↗
Licensed settingSwiss Montessori Association
QualifiedMontessori kindergarten teacher & MA in school-based special needs education

Why families choose us

We shape the environment as an inspiring landscape for learning. Children set their own pace – and learn efficiently, lastingly and with joy that does not fade.

Two children lay yellow and blue number and picture cards on rugs at a table
Pedagogy

Support the whole child – without pressure

Learning goals: Fostering perception, musical abilities, gross and fine motor skills, and the precursor skills for school. Learning begins with language: we deliberately speak High German and Swiss German in order to prepare children as well as possible for school.

01

Social skills

Feeling helpless with other people discourages a child. We show children how to resolve and avoid conflicts, following the line: «The limits of one’s own freedom are the limits of other people’s freedom.»

02

Self-correction

Materials with a built-in control of error are preferred. That keeps direction from the teachers to a minimum.

03

Self-worth

When children learn by their own choice, they build persistence, a sense of responsibility and a steady sense of self-worth – for school and for life.

School hours

A week with us

Mon, Tue, Thu8.30 – 15.45
Wednesday8.30 – 11.30
Extra care Tue, Thu15.45 – 17.00
Every morning

Mornings

Self-chosen play and work with the materials of the prepared environment, after Maria Montessori.

Once a week

Forest day

We eat in the forest and spend the afternoon there – in almost any weather.

Two boys sit on roller boards in the gym and pull themselves along a rope Children and a teacher lean on large blue gym balls in the sports hall

Sports day

Once a week in the Meilen sports hall.

School leadership

Who walks with your child

since 1998

Portrait of Clarita Kunz, smiling, with shoulder-length reddish hair

Clarita Kunz

MA in school-based special needs education, owner and head of school

Book “Schule als Leistungsbremse” →
Portrait of Esther Luginbühl, smiling, with shoulder-length blonde hair

Esther Luginbühl

Certified Montessori kindergarten teacher, lead teacher

«Children are supported as whole people»

Even before they start kindergarten, it is clear that children are at very different stages of development. Only individual support can do justice to this fact. Kindergarten children should receive holistic support as early as possible. Ideal support covers all areas of perception, motor skills, coordination, social skills and the foundations for learning at school. In the prepared environment, all the games and learning tasks needed to achieve school learning goals are available at all times. As we know, every child learns differently, according to their own rhythm. Many children are gifted at school. They and slow learners must be allowed to work at their own pace. This helps them to learn faster and more sustainably. In the more than 15 years that I have been working here, several children have been able to start school earlier. I like the fact that the children are allowed to play and work independently. This creates a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Esther Luginbühl

What families tell about us

4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews on Google
Five of the seven reviews.
View on Google Write a review
★★★★★

«Esther was an amazing help for our son.»

The normal school system is very rigid and can be misadapted to children that have a different way of growing up, causing stress and issues to them and their parents. 2 years in this kindergarten proved to be the best choice.

Paul-Kenji CahierOctober 2025
★★★★★

«Our child liked attending the Montessori kindergarten»

Our child liked attending the Montessori kindergarten, with individual care and a varied programme indoors and outdoors. The loving care made settling in quick, and the time there full of joy.

Alois MüllerOctober 2025
★★★★★

«Our son was in Esther’s Montessori playgroup – simply wonderful.»

Esther is warm and professional, and she helped Bruno learn German enormously through play. We greatly valued the small group, the clear structure and the loving atmosphere.

Jakub StaniecSeptember 2025
★★★★★

«Our three children learned a great deal with Esther at the Montessori kindergarten and were cared for with love.»

Our three children learned a great deal with Esther at the Montessori kindergarten and were cared for with love. We especially liked the smaller groups, the playful preparation for school with numbers and letters, and the weekly forest day.

Anja InsuaSeptember 2025
★★★★★

«The best educational decision we could have made.»

Moving our five-year-old son from the public kindergarten to Montessori Kindergarten Meilen was the best educational decision we could have made. The difference in his confidence, his joy and his progress within only a few months is simply extraordinary.

Patrick WagnerSeptember 2026

More from families

«Our children now go out into life with self-confidence, great independence and personal responsibility.»

As a family of three children, we feel extremely fortunate that our children were able to attend the Montessori kindergarten in Meilen. Now that our eldest daughter has just started at the Gymnasium, …

Parents S. and E. Frey with Liv, Leo and Ida

«Very good mix of play and learning»

Our child and we as parents felt very comfortable at the Montessori Kindergarten in Meilen. There is a very good mix of play and learning. The atmosphere is friendly and calm. We also appreciated special moments, …

Ingrid Heller, Otto’s mother

«Learning with joy and on your own initiative»

Today’s state school is built on the idea that a child arrives as an empty book that has to be filled with knowledge. The older the child, the more homework and exams they have to sit. Are …

Leana Daetwyler, high school student
Fees

Monthly parent contributions

Meals are included.

2 half days a week580.– Fr. / Mt.
2 full days a week980.– Fr. / Mt.
3 full days a week1250.– Fr. / Mt.

Common questions

Classroom with wooden tables, open shelves of materials, letter cards and a bookcase
What ages do you take?

The kindergarten and playgroup take children from 3 to 6 years – in small, mixed-age groups.

Which language do you use?

German. To prepare children well for school, we deliberately speak both High German and Swiss German. Children who do not yet speak German are welcome.

Half days or full days?

Both are possible, for example 2 half days (Fr. 580.–), 2 full days (Fr. 980.–) or 3 full days (Fr. 1250.–) a week.

Are meals included?

Yes.

Is the kindergarten recognised?

Yes, the kindergarten is licensed and recognised as a Montessori institution (member of the Association Montessori Switzerland).

Getting here

Stelzenstrasse 57,
8706 Meilen

Train or bus

A 3-minute walk from Meilen station. S6, S7 and S20 – at most 15 minutes from Küsnacht, Erlenbach, Herrliberg, Uetikon am See, Männedorf, Stäfa or Zürich Stadelhofen.

Bike or car

Parking and drop-off spaces right next to the school.

Plan a route →

Come and meet us.

We are glad to tell you more and to answer your questions.

044 915 39 94
AddressStelzenstrasse 57
8706 Meilen ZH
Opening hoursMon, Tue, Thu 8.30 – 15.45
Wed 8.30 – 11.30
Tue, Thu until 17.00 (extra care)
Recognised setting

Registration

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