Welcome
Welcome to our Primary Years Programme (PYP) Early Childhood (EC) program, designed for children aged 3 to 6 years old, seamlessly integrated within our primary school framework. This pivotal stage includes Early Childhood (ages 3-5) and Reception (age 6), where we celebrate the unique potential and creativity of each child. We are dedicated to recognizing and nurturing their individual learning abilities and strengths.
Our approach is grounded in the belief that children are natural inquirers and critical thinkers, capable of problem solving and decision making from an early age. We provide a safe and secure environment where children can explore, create, and learn through their own curiosity and interests.
We value and respect each child, providing opportunities for choice and agency in their learning. We encourage creativity and exploration through hands-on experiences and inquiry-based learning. Our curriculum is designed to challenge children to become their best selves in all areas of physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
In our educational approach, we firmly believe that learning is a collaborative and interactive process, fostered by the involvement of families and by establishing connections with our local and global communities.
As an authorised PYP (Primary Years Programme) school, we recognize three features that make an effective early years education: relationships, learning spaces and play. We consider these particular features to design powerful learning experiences for our youngest students.
Relationships
Navigate. Nurture. Aspire.
At ISS we believe in the importance of encouraging and nurturing positive relationships between home, family and school. Building strong relationships helps children learn important skills like trust, independence, and a sense of belonging. In Early Childhood, relationships are a fundamental part of establishing important skills as well as being a foundation for learning, behaviour, health and well-being. Teachers at ISS emphasise the importance of building relationships by creating supportive and effective learning communities for our children.
Learning Spaces
Safe, Exciting, and Inviting Spaces
In Early Childhood education, we create safe, exciting, and inviting spaces for children to learn. These spaces encourage exploration, wonder, creativity, and taking risks through play. We believe that children learn best when they have authentic experiences in a supportive environment. We value each child for their unique knowledge, strengths, and abilities, both as individuals and as part of a larger group. When children feel emotionally connected to their learning, they are more engaged and motivated to learn. We carefully design and plan these learning spaces to support play-based learning, collaboration, and the development of knowledge, understanding, and skills. Our goal is to provide opportunities for children to take action and make a difference in their world.
Play
Hands on inquiry learning
At ISS we believe that children in Early Childhood education benefit from a combination of hands-on learning and self-initiated-play. Both types of experiences are important for their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Play allows children to explore and develop important skills in an authentic way that involves choice, promotes agency and provides rigorous opportunities to inquire into important concepts and personal interests. We believe that through play, children learn from their interactions with the world around them, constantly adapting and refining their understanding.
Learning Community
At ISS, we strongly believe that every member of our learning community has the ability to influence and shape our collective strength and success. We encourage active participation and engagement, fostering a sense of agency among all individuals. This learning community extends not only to our immediate school environment but also to the broader IB community, recognizing the world as a vast and diverse context for learning. We are committed to inclusivity, ensuring that students, their families, school staff, and other important figures in the students’ lives are all valued participants in this journey.
We recognize the paramount importance of health and wellbeing in fostering quality relationships and effective interactions among all community members. At ISS, we are dedicated to nurturing physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. We create safe and healthy environments that empower our learners to be resilient and optimistic.