DON’T MISS
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Education
Swiss news & articles
First-ever kindergarten in a zoo opens in Switzerland
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

First-ever kindergarten in a zoo opens in Switzerland

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

13 best things to do with kids in Switzerland13 best things to do with kids in Switzerland
14 top things to do in Zurich14 top things to do in Zurich
11 great day trips from Zurich11 great day trips from Zurich
What to do in Zurich on a SundayWhat to do in Zurich on a Sunday
8 great first date ideas for Zurich8 great first date ideas for Zurich
10 most popular spring destinations to visit in Switzerland10 most popular spring destinations to visit in Switzerland
14 free or cheap things to do in Zurich14 free or cheap things to do in Zurich
6 great places to visit in Canton Zurich with your free ZVV ticket6 great places to visit in Canton Zurich with your free ZVV ticket
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Sep 15, 2023
Jan de Boer

Editor at IamExpat Media

Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016. While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more

For most children, a trip to the zoo is one of life’s rare and great treats. However, for a few young kids in Canton Schwyz, the wildlife of the world is now a constant companion, with the Goldau Nature and Animal Park recently opening their own “zoo kindergarten.”

First kindergarten in a zoo opened in Schwyz

Speaking to 20 Minuten, the park’s owners said that their new “zoo kindergarten” is a “groundbreaking learning project.” Since the end of the school holidays, 11 children have had the opportunity to go to a preschool within the zoo itself called "Tierpark Kindergarten".

Goldau Zoo said that it is the “first public kindergarten in a zoological facility” and is designed to teach kids by “learning and experiencing nature”, with four of every five school days being spent outside. The idea takes heavy influence from the “forest kindergarten” concept - where children aged three to six years old are encouraged to explore and learn about forests under adult supervision.

Children thrive when learning in nature, say organisers

“In nature, children gain experiences that support their physical, emotional, cognitive and social development…Learning outdoors takes particular account of children’s natural urge to play and move and promotes their development holistically”, the zoo wrote. 

Fabienne Baumann, the kindergarten teacher, told 20 Minuten that they plan to take the kids out into nature in all weather, although they can retreat to an indoor classroom to avoid the wet and cold. “We want to use learning materials from nature, observe animals, explore the park and have experiences close to nature”, she noted, arguing that the kids develop research, technical and environmental skills by continually going outside.

Tierpark Kindergarten to be trialled for two years

The kindergarten itself is a pilot project set to last two years, created with the agreement and help of local schools, the local institute of higher education and authorities in the canton. For more information about the Tierpark Kindergarten, check out the official website.

By Jan de Boer