At Children First in Seefeld and Oerlikon, your child is at the center – supported by a dedicated, experienced, and bilingual team. Our teachers and caregivers are highly qualified and create a safe, play-based environment where children can grow emotionally, socially, and linguistically.
Head of School Monica Shah founded Children First in 2006 and has shaped daily life ever since with high educational standards and heartfelt commitment. She is supported by a team of specialists including Adri Kollmeyer (English Kindergarten & Primary), Julia König (German as a Second Language, Swiss Kindergarten), Rebekka O’Brien (Early Years Foundation Stage), and Balbir Bhangal (Forest School & Bilingual Education).
Through bilingual teaching, Montessori-inspired methods, and a relationship-focused approach, our team ensures that children from 0–8 years in Zürich grow up curious, confident, and capable.
At Children First, we believe that a truly exceptional early learning experience begins with exceptional people. From Seefeld to Oerlikon, our dedicated educators combine deep expertise, passion, and heart — creating a bilingual, play-based space where children thrive emotionally, socially, and linguistically.
Monica Shah (Founder & Principal) Monica is the visionary behind Children First. A British-Swiss educator with roots in child and family services, she established this bilingual centre in Zürich in 2006. She maintains high standards in pedagogy and practice while remaining hands-on — you’ll often find her on the classroom floor, supporting staff and students alike.
Children First invests deeply in its people. Our team includes seasoned educators and specialists — not interns or temp workers — who share a commitment to relational learning, emotional care, and respectful engagement. Research supports that the quality of staff plays a crucial role in early childhood development, and we hold this as foundational to our community.
Here are a few of the outstanding team members shaping the daily life at Children First:
Adri Kollmeyer With teaching experience across South Africa, South Korea, and Switzerland, Adri brings a global perspective. She teaches English in Kindergarten and Primary and is passionate about lifelong learning, cultural exploration, and connecting with children through curiosity and care.
Julia König A specialist in Swiss Kindergarten education and German as a Second Language, Julia has over 15 years of experience. Formerly a head of school, she is deeply invested in integrating new families and supporting children’s linguistic development in Zürich.
Rebekka O’Brien From Southeast England to Zürich, Rebekka has been educating children since 2008 under the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Her love for travel, music, and family enriches her approach to learning and community.
Balbir Bhangal A longtime educator in bilingual settings, Balbir has taught for over 30 years—both in London and Zürich. She leads forest-school programmes and designs child-centered routines and activities that build social, emotional, and cognitive foundations.
Highly Qualified & Experienced — Each educator is carefully selected for their expertise, maturity, and values-alignment with the Children First mission.
Relationship-Focused — We prioritize emotional safety and positive bonds as the soil where learning grows.
Bilingual & Immersive — Our native-English and native-German speaking teachers ensure natural language development in both languages.
Collaborative & Supportive Culture — We believe in shared values, constant growth, and reinforcing what children experience at home and school.
