Moving as a family of five brings many changes.
This morning we met the head of the new School / Kindergarten in Ticino. Our eldest is starting the second year of Kindergarten in September. There are many differences in the way the run pre-school education in Thurgau and the way it is set up in Ticino (junior school in the UK).
Differences
One of the biggest difference is the number of hours kids spend in kindergarten. While in Thurgau they attend sessions in the morning and a couple of afternoons a week, in Ticino they are in kindergarten from the morning until tea time.
I found it interesting that the school breaks / holidays are different from canton to canton.
Kids eat on site in Ticino, while they are sent home for lunch in Thurgau. Parents need to prepare a snack box for znüni (snack time around 9-10 am) in the German part. But all meals are offered by the school system in the Italian part.
In the German part kids are encouraged to make their way to kindergarten or at least to the school bus. While in the Italian part parents / caretakers must accompany kids to the school bus and / or to the facility.
In the German part kids had to take indoor shoes, gym bag, waterproofs, and an apron. While in the Italian part the list is much longer. In addition, to the previously mentioned, the following items need to be provided at the beginning of the year: a towel, 3 toothbrushes, a toothpaste, a big pack of tissues, and a set of change of clothes.
Compulsory education starts at the age of 4 in both cantons. However, in Ticino (at least in our case), children can start to attend 4 morning sessions at the age of 3 with the expectation of increasing to full time attendance by the end of the scholastic year.
Similarities
Prior to the start of the school year, in both places the kids receive a personalised letter in the post from their teacher with some greetings and well wishes for the year ahead. I personally find that this is a great touch to channel the kids mind for the upcoming year ahead.
Bus takes the kids in both cantons back and forth. While in the German part the bus is organised by the school, in the Italian counter part this is being taken care of the local council.
Spending time outdoors is a priority in the whole of Switzerland. I read a few posts in various expat Facebook groups, where moms were concerned. They mainly complained about their kids spending ‘znüni’ time in open air no-matter the weather.
In summary
In the German part of Switzerland, the school system is governed by the vision of family unity. Therefore, kids should dine with their parents at lunch time, then return to kindergarten / school in the afternoon. While in the Italian counterpart, kids are gradually introduced to the school system. Where they are looked after all day.