Welcome to the Early Years (Kindergarten) of the Primary Years Programme (PYP).
In the Early Years of the PYP, our approach to learning is centred around the power of play for children aged 3-5. Play is essential for young children’s physical, social, and emotional development. It helps them explore their environment, build social skills, and spark curiosity and imagination.
Through play, children become flexible and responsive learners. They develop sensitivity to others and are encouraged to take risks in their learning. At ISD, our Early Years learning environments are spacious and invigorating, offering children the freedom and choice they need for play to unfold naturally, allowing them to reach their full potential.
In Reception and Prep, children learn through play both indoors and in our vast an vibrant outdoor spaces. Our gardens are thriving ecosystems where children can grow and harvest their own produce, create treats in the mud kitchen, or explore plants and animals around the freshwater pond.
AT ISD, WE BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN LEARN BEST IN THE EARLY YEARS WHEN:
- Adults provide a safe place for them to wonder.
- Adults provide indoor and outdoor learning environments and experiences.
- Adults and children reach important decisions together.
- Children own, choose and are delighting in their learning.
- Children can engage in all types of play-based experiences.
- Children are inspired and supported by adults who are passionate about learning.
- Parents work in partnership with ISD to actively support their children's learning.
While English is the language of instruction, there's no need to worry if your child has not yet been introduced to it. Our experienced teachers provide personalised support, and with a diverse, international community, children quickly build their English skills in a warm and inclusive environment.
RECEPTION
(3 & 4 YEAR OLDS)
In reception, children learn the most important things not by being told what to do, but by constructing knowledge for themselves through interaction with the physical world and with other children.
They learn best by combining their ideas, impressions and intuitions with experiences and opinions. We place great emphasis on giving our children opportunities to create ideas about their world and to share them with one another.
This kind of self-directed learning also leads to feelings of competence and success, and it allows children to develop and build self-confidence.
| Read More |
|---|
|
Learning in Reception is explorative and experiential; mathematical, scientific, and language-based concepts are introduced in an integrated way, as children enthusiastically discover the world around them. Children find tremendous joy in being creative, learning to build friendships, and participating in the lively atmosphere of our school. Whether we are building, painting, cooking, or singing, we always have lots of fun in Reception at ISD! |
PREP
(5 YEAR OLDS)
The Prep year is a time of exciting change as children transition from pre-school to primary school. Through a range of diverse learning experiences, Prep students develop a sense of personal responsibility and autonomy, laying a solid foundation for their future education. Most importantly, they are given plenty of opportunities to grow into passionate learners.
We use play to spark children's natural curiosity. A simple observation like “look at this!” quickly leads to big questions such as:
- What is it?
- Why is it here?
- Where does it come from?
- How does it work?
In Prep at ISD, children explore a world of minibeasts, create wood crafts (once they’ve earned their all-important hammer licence), discover shapes and patterns, and build lasting friendships. This is also the first year that German language lessons are introduced, further enriching their learning journey.
THE IB EARLY YEARS PHILOSOPHY
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme adheres to the following philosophy when it comes to learning in the early years:
VERY YOUNG LEARNERS ARE CAPABLE AND HAVE AGENCY.
The concept of play is fundamental to learning at this stage. In play, children construct knowledge by combining their ideas, impressions and intuitions with experiences and opinions. They create theories about their worlds and share them with one another. They establish a culture and a social world with their peers.
In play, children make sense - and sometimes nonsense - of their experience. They discover the intimacy and joy of friendship as they explore their own emerging identity. When play is self-directed, it leads to feelings of competence and self-confidence.
