EARLY YEARS
Early Years
Children develop their love of learning, their curiosity and their confidence. This first school experience is the start of their life-long learning journey.
In our Early Years (Early Years 1, Early Years 2 & Early years 3) we provide a caring and welcoming environment where children feel safe, happy and challenged at their own level. Our qualified Early Years Teachers welcome children aged 2 ½ to 5 year olds into a child friendly setting which provides a quality indoor and outdoor learning environment. Our Early Years teaching team also includes Teaching Assistants, Physical Education (PE), Music, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and French Specialist Teachers.
Curriculum
The International Early Years Curriculum is an up to date research-based curriculum. The IEYC recognises international best practice and the developmental needs of 2-5 year olds. It is used by over 500 schools in more than 60 countries worldwide.
The IEYC is designed around seven foundations, each conveying a belief considered essential to children’s learning and development.
Foundation 1: Child-focused Personal, International and Academic Dimensions of Learning and Development.
Foundation 2: Progressive Pedagogy.
Foundation 3: A process to Facilitate Learning for All.
Foundation 4: Globally Competent Learners.
Foundation 5: Knowledge, Skills and Understanding are Taught, Learned and Assessed Differently.
Foundation 6: Connected Learning.
Foundation 7: Assessment for Improving Learning.
Underpinning all learning and development are the IEYC Learning Strands:
- Independence and interdependence
- Communicating
- Enquiring
- Healthy living and physical well-being
Units of learning have been carefully designed around an exciting central theme, holistically linking all four Learning Strands to relevant and engaging activities that meet individual needs.
More information
Learning in the Early Years
We are proud to be one of the first schools to adopt the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC). The IEYC uses international best practices, holistic enquiry and play-based approaches that cover all curriculum areas including personal, social and emotional development.
Play is a natural tool for learning and an essential aspect of a child’s development. In our Early Years children are engaged in play-based experiences that allow them to explore their curiosity, build confidence and nurture fundamental knowledge and skills.
To develop their reading pleasure, the Early Years children choose books from the Early Years Media Centre to take home and share with their parents.
The children are introduced to our Golden Rules which are embedded across the whole school.
Learning environment
Each child is unique. Providing an engaging, developmentally appropriate and safe learning environment which allows children to develop at their own pace is important to us.
At BEPS, the Early Years classes consist of mixed age groups, balanced between Early Years 1, 2 and 3 ages. In this setting, younger children can be inspired by watching older children and the latter will reinforce and master their previous learning by modelling it to the younger peers.
Children learn social behaviour by observing and imitating and older children develop a mentor role helping everyone practise pro-social behaviours such as sharing, helping and more.
After morning circle time with their class teacher, the children can “freely” access different teacher or child-led learning centres – both indoors and outdoors – to make connections and take part in activities that interest and challenge them.
Learning centres including Literacy, Numeracy, Creative, STEM, Role Play, Loose Parts, Construction, Fine and Gross Motor Skills.
Separate Numeracy, Phonics, Pre-Writing and ICT learning sessions are provided for our Early Years 3 children.
Engagement, support and flexibility are key features of BEPS’ Early Years.
Learning experiences
See what our community says
Thanks for an amazing experience Yesterday! Spurred on by our son, we found ourselves counting down to the opening of the Dinosaur museum, and the event certainly exceeded our expectations. Two things in particular truly touched us:
– the dignity and respect with which you treat our children, which clearly encourages their autonomy. The event felt centered on their empowerment and we thought that was great
– the “excellence” of the team work: you’ve put the bar very high, it was so well organized! You made it all seem very natural but we have no doubt about how much effort went into designing and preparing. For us it is a joy to see our son surrounded by people “who go the extra mile” with a smile.
Mum of a Early Years 2 student
February 2023
Our children loved this beautiful school located in the forest – the best environment to learn for a kid! BEPS’ international community was a very enriching experience that allowed us to develop many memorable friendships and organize so many playdates for our kids. We also had opportunities to speak to the teachers and follow up on our kids’ growth. We are all missing BEPS and will be thinking of you from here. BEPS was our first school. Our kids spent their first three years of school and were so happy all the time, becoming self-confident thanks to the dedicated attention they received from everyone in the school.
Natalia Federighi
Early Years & Lower Primary, Parent 2018-2021
The best part of our experience at BEPS was to know that the school offered more than just a curriculum and that our son was learning in a multicultural environment with values similar to ours. The emotional support during his adaptation to a new language was impressive, he evolved so fast, being able to express himself in English sooner than we could anticipate
Julio Cordeiro
Brazil, Lower Primary Parent 2019 - 2021
We have been so happy with BEPS and are sorry to leave. Unfortunately, we have to due to our work. My son keeps saying he wants to stay at school all the time – and he is upset when school is closed. And he is learning so so much! That is the best compliment for a school in my opinion. We are so impressed by how the teachers and team challenge, care for, comfort and support the kids – amazing!
Nanna Gelebo
Sweden, Early Years Parent 2020-2021
Explore Early Years
