Garden International School Early Years Centre

Nursery & Reception – Ages 3–5

GIS follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) while adapting the learning experience to its international-school environment.

The curriculum balances:

• Play-based learning
• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Physical development
• Music
• Social and emotional development
• Communication and language
• Creative development
• Understanding the world

Children are encouraged to follow their own interests while teachers use these interests to create meaningful learning opportunities.

Prime Areas

The curriculum focuses on:

• Personal, Social & Emotional Development
• Communication & Language
• Physical Development

Specific Areas

Children also develop skills in:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts & Design

The school also focuses on three characteristics of effective learning:

• Playing and exploring
• Active learning
• Creating and thinking critically

Play is central to the GIS Early Years approach.

The school believes play-based learning helps children develop:

• Cognitive skills
• Emotional intelligence
• Creativity
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Curiosity
• Independence

Rather than relying exclusively on teacher-directed instruction, children are given opportunities to explore their interests and learn through hands-on experiences.

One of the distinctive features of GIS Early Years is its Mandarin programme .

Mandarin is taught through:

• Music
• Storytelling
• Art
• Interactive dialogue
• Teacher-led sessions
• Continuous classroom provision

The school's approach is designed to make Mandarin learning natural and engaging, allowing young children to develop vocabulary and language skills through everyday experiences.

Jungle School is one of the most distinctive features of the GIS Early Years experience.

The programme takes children outside the traditional classroom and into a natural environment, drawing inspiration from the Forest School approach used in Europe .

Children are encouraged to:

• Explore nature
• Take controlled risks
• Develop independence
• Build resilience
• Observe the natural world
• Develop concentration
• Work collaboratively
• Become more environmentally responsible

GIS describes Jungle School as a hands-on outdoor learning programme available from Nursery through Year 2 .

The EYC is a purpose-built Early Years campus rather than simply a dedicated section within the main GIS campus.

The recently reimagined EYC includes spaces designed around:

• Indoor exploration
• Outdoor learning
• Sensory play
• Movement
• Reading
• Imaginative play
• Nature-based activities
• Creative learning

The school describes the environment as secure, green and spacious, with facilities specifically designed to support children's social, emotional, physical and cognitive development .

GIS has a wider-school Learning Support team , with learning specialists working alongside teachers to support students who require additional assistance.

The school describes its approach as inclusive and provides individualised support where appropriate.

For the Early Years specifically, the school emphasises understanding each child's developmental needs and creating appropriate support around the individual child.

SEN Support: Available through the school's wider Learning Support provision, subject to assessment and the school's ability to meet individual needs.

The GIS Early Years philosophy is built around the belief that young children learn best when they are actively involved in their own learning.

The school focuses on four key ideas:

1. Every Child Is Unique

Teachers take time to understand individual children's interests, development and learning needs.

2. Learning Through Play

Play is used as a central mechanism for developing cognitive, emotional, creative and communication skills.

3. Learning Beyond the Classroom

Jungle School, gardening, cooking, swimming and other experiences allow children to learn through real-world experiences rather than only through classroom activities.

4. Building Lifelong Learners

GIS aims to develop curiosity, confidence and independence from the earliest stage of education, creating a foundation for children to progress through the wider GIS learning journey.