A family-oriented school to help your children get off to a great start in life!
Through our sensory and playful approach, we guide children to:
Montessori l’Etincelle is a member school of the Swiss Montessori Association and authorized by the Cantonal Day Care Service for Children ( SCAJE : ages 0–4) and the General Directorate of Compulsory Education ( DGEO : ages 4–6).
1 adult for every 10 children
The same dates as the school holidays in Vaud.
All year round. Open to the general public
| Program | Hours | Trim 1 | Trim 2 | Trim 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8.00 am to 3.00 pm, including lunch Wed: 8.00 am to 12.00 pm, excluding meal |
CHF 6’230 | CHF 6’230 | CHF 6’230 |
| Half-time | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 8.00 am to 12.00 pm, no meals provided | CHF 4’087 | CHF 4’087 | CHF 4’087 |
| 1 day | 8.00 am to 3.00 pm, including meal | CHF 130.- | ||
| 1 morning | 8.00 am to 12.00 pm, no meal | CHF 70.- | ||
| After-school Activities | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm Wednesday: 12.00 pm to 6.00 pm, including meal |
CHF 11 to CHF 15 per hour: depending on the number of hours per week | ||
Morning drop-off.
Kiss & Fly point, car park and bicycle shelter available.
Close to trains and buses
Montessori activities in the classroom
‘Fourchette Verte’ meals; special dietary requirements on request from our caterer
Quiet time, nap (+ an extra nap during the day if requested)
Time outdoors, in the garden
Montessori activities in the classroom or in the garden
After-school programme (from 12 noon on Wednesdays).
Open to day pupils, subject to availability
Please contact us for further information or to request a bespoke simulation:
We follow the programme recognised by the Montessori Switzerland and International:
As a private school recognised by the Canton of Vaud, we follow the Plan d’Etudes Romand curriculum for Years 1P–2P.
From the garden to the plate: our programme invites children to discover the cycles of nature by gardening, growing fruit and vegetables, and then cooking and enjoying what they have grown with their own hands in our garden.
Environmental awareness: games and activities centred on waste sorting, recycling, looking after plants, clean-up walks along the shores of Lake Geneva, etc.
Our after-school team welcomes your children every day until 6.00 pm, in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. The children spend a lot of time outdoors, in our garden or on walks by the lake or in Coppet. Every day, they are offered a range of activities (sport, exploring nature, cooking, etc.) and they have access to free play, as well as various craft activities.
Founder, Director & French-speaking Montessori teacher for 3–6-year-olds
As a holder of Master’s degrees in Social Sciences (MAs SHS) and a Montessori teacher for 3–6-year-olds, I have always been passionate about the field of education. The Montessori method has provided me with the tools I need to guide children towards realising their full potential, so that they can flourish and play a full part participate in tomorrow’s society. Montessori l’Etincelle is a stimulating and harmonious environment for children’s development, where families and the teaching team can work together in complete trust. Enthusiastic and positive, I devote my full attention to supporting families so that every child gets a good start in life !
French-speaking Montessori teacher for children aged 3–6
Having completed a Bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology, I very quickly felt the need to extend my training towards a more practical approach, focused on teaching and knowledge transfer. It was only natural that I turned to the Montessori method, the principles of which resonated deeply with my beliefs and my studies, particularly regarding the crucial importance of the early years of life (from 0 to 6 years) in a person’s overall development. What drives me every day is seeing children grow at their own pace, supporting them as they discover themselves, their potential and their knowledge, whilst respecting their interests and natural inclinations. Being a caring guide, rather than a teacher, on this journey is, for me, an approach that is both appropriate and inspiring. I regard the Montessori approach as a genuine aid to life: a respectful and stimulating environment that enables every child to fully develop their confidence, independence and identity, whilst experiencing the joy of learning and respect for themselves and others.
English-speaking Montessori teacher for 3–6-year-olds
I have been teaching as a Montessori teacher since 2010. I am originally from the UK and teach in English, my mother tongue. I am a firm believer in and an active supporter of the Montessori method, and I sit on the committee of the Swiss Montessori Association. I fully embrace this educational approach, which enables us to follow each child’s journey and development and to respond precisely to their needs. I particularly enjoy working with children aged 3 to 6, as these are formative and crucial years for them. Every day is a fun learning experience and an adventure in our charming school community!
French-speaking Educator, After-school Care
Having qualified as a primary school teacher, I went on to take several specialist courses in early childhood education. I am positive and enthusiastic, and I know how to give my very best to support children in their development. Maria Montessori said that a child is both a source of hope and a promise for humanity……and I am convinced of this.
English-speaking Montessori Assistant for 3–6-year-olds, After-school care
As a qualified Montessori assistant for children aged 3 to 6, I am passionate about supporting children’s natural development in a respectful and stimulating environment. I love the Montessori approach because it encourages independence, curiosity and self-confidence. What inspires me most is seeing each child grow at their own pace and discover the joy of learning every day.
We are very happy with the school; our son is delighted and we are convinced of the benefits of the Montessori method.
We were delighted with our experience at L’Étincelle – a wonderful step forward for our daughter. We’re looking forward to her little sister joining you as soon as she turns 3 to enjoy the same experience as her sister.
We would like to thank the whole team for the excellent care provided at L’Etincelle: our daughter felt right at home there, and the environment really helped her to flourish, particularly in her interactions with others. She is now very proud to go to school, where she has been reunited with her classmates.
Our son has just completed two and a half years at the Montessori School L’Etincelle (he attended from the age of 3½ to 6). He loved his time there: he really flourished in the Montessori environment, which allowed him to develop his interests (reading, maths, geography, animals, arts and crafts, amongst others). He is a native French speaker, but as we are a trilingual family, we asked for him to be taught to read in English, and by the time he left the school, he was speaking it fluently. The teachers are wonderful and we were very grateful for the flexibility regarding holidays and other special events. The school also organised music, yoga and gymnastics classes, amongst other things. We also loved the after-school club, where the children did different activities every day.
The school has a lovely, well-equipped classroom with a view of the lake, as well as a garden where the children play. There is a car park for dropping off and picking up children, which makes life easier.
Thank you to the whole team for making our son so happy over the past few years!
We thank you for your excellent care and support with our daughter.
We are delighted that our daughter is having such a good time at your school, which will give her a solid foundation for the rest of her schooling.
Our daughter is doing really well and loves state school! Probably largely thanks to you and the time she spent at L’Etincelle.
Our daughter is doing very well, and she’s settling in nicely at school: she was so well prepared at Montessori l’Etincelle!
Our son has been attending the L’Etincelle Montessori School in Coppet (VD) for two years.
We are extremely satisfied and can recommend this school without hesitation. The teachers are wonderful, competent, patient, maintain excellent communication with parents, organise regular meetings to discuss our child’s progress, and manage to fully meet my child’s specific needs.
He has grown a great deal thanks to them, has become more self-confident, has made excellent progress in maths and geography, his French has improved considerably and he is now ready to embark on a new chapter in his life.
We also really appreciated the after-school activities, as well as the music and PE lessons. Everything is well organised.
A big thank you to the headteacher, Corine Devanthéry, and to all the teachers for the two wonderful years spent with us and our son!
We really loved your school and the care and attention given to each child whilst our son was attending your school.
We would like to thank you for your warm welcome and for listening to us, at a time when we were going through a difficult period. Your advice, as an education expert, has helped us to better understand certain matters, and we feel that your school provides an ideal environment for young children.
We have been very pleased with the progress our son has made at your school, and with your team, so we are a little sad to have to leave.
We are very happy with L’Etincelle for our daughter, and we would like to thank you for her time with you.
Our son has had a wonderful time at L’Etincelle, where he feels completely at home!
Our son’s experience at L’Etincelle has been very enriching. You have a wonderful teaching staff, and it is by far the best Montessori school we’ve ever attended. So, a big thank you!
We would like to express our gratitude for this very enriching experience at L'Étincelle. Our daughter has learnt a great deal and she also thoroughly enjoyed her time with you. We will cherish very fond memories of this period.
Yes, your child can start L’Etincelle from their third birthday, even if it’s during the school year.
The Montessori programme designed for the 3–6 age group provides a coherent framework for learning to write, read and do maths, as well as for developing individual and social skills. It enables children to build a solid foundation for the rest of their lives.
No. They develop independence within a structured environment, with rules. Once they have learnt these rules, they become free to choose and carry out their activities, according to their interests. But this ‘freedom’ is something that is learnt; it is rarely innate in children.
Physical activity is scientifically recognised as an essential component of health and is highly beneficial for the development of children aged 3 to 6. In our classes, children can move about as they please, unlike in traditional classes where they have to remain seated in the same place for long periods.
We have received positive feedback about children who have moved on to other schools. Any change of school or class requires a period of adjustment. However, children coming from L’Etincelle often enjoy going to school, which makes it easier for them to settle in.
Yes. We follow the Plan d’Etudes Romand (PER) curriculum, which is the same as that used in Vaud’s state schools. The Montessori programme goes a little further than the PER, so children at L’Etincelle have a solid foundation in reading, writing, maths and general knowledge to enable them to join a 3P class.
Our team is used to welcoming children who do not speak either French or English; this is not a problem. At this age, children benefit from their ‘absorbent mind’ which enables them to learn a foreign language with ease, and they will be supported by our team in this regard.
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