Upper Pre-School 3 - 5 years

In Upper Pre-School we create learning experiences which inspire students to actively apply their knowledge, understanding and skills in their daily play. This is through Units of Inquiry.
Children continue to develop independence and are encouraged to manage their own clothes, food and play. During our daily learning experiences there is also a focus on early Literacy and Mathematics through the introduction and exploration of numbers and sounds.


Phonics

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Early Writing

Creative

Early Reading

Physical Development

Early Maths

Personal, Social and Emotional

The children in the Upper Pre-School (Pre-School 4 and 5) follow a programme combining the learning as described in the IB Primary Years Program (PYP) together with the Norwegian Framework plan (Rammeplan) and Learning Goals from The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum.

In the Upper Pre-school children are encouraged to develop their phonic knowledge through our Letter and Sounds curriculum. This encourages children to develop their phonic knowledge through listening, understanding and play based activities to lay the foundations for reading and writing. Mathematics is also a key part of our program allowing the children to develop and explore numbers, shape, space and measure within their learning activities.

At a Glance:
  • Curriculum - IB Primary Years Programme (PYP); Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Norwegian Framework Plan (Rammeplan)
  • Early Phonics with Letters and Sounds
  • Early Reading and Writing


Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

The EYFS framework specifies 17 Early Learning Goals which each child will aim to meet by the completion of the foundation stage (Pre-school 5). These goals are structured along 7 areas of learning and development:

  • Personal, social and emotional development: Making Relationships, self-confidence and self-awareness, managing feelings and behaviour.
  • Communication and language: Listening and attention, understanding and speaking.
  • Physical development: Moving and Handling, health and self-care.
  • Literacy: Reading and writing.
  • Mathematical development: Number. Shape, space and measure.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the world: People and communities, the world, technology.
  • Creative development: Exploring and using media and materials, being imaginative.
IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

The PYP programme is designed to enable teachers to guide children through the five essential elements of learning;

  • Understanding of concepts
  • The acquisition of knowledge
  • The mastering of skills
  • The development of attitudes
  • The decision to take responsible action

The PYP is a guided approach to teaching and learning from 3 years to 12 years of age. Inquiry-based units of study, known as Units of Inquiry, are the focus for learning in each class. This inquiry child led program enables children to become active, caring, lifelong learners through play based activites.

The children through Units of Inquiry, explore learning experiences which inspire the students to actively apply their knowledge, understanding and skills in their daily play. During our daily learning experiences there is also a focus on early Literacy and Mathematics as the PYP is a transdisciplinary framework.

In the inquiry-based classroom the emphasis is on real life situations, decision making, problem solving and action. This approach makes learning fun and relevant. Students are given active opportunities to explore, question, experiment, seek information, consolidate existing ideas and reflect. Children are encouraged and given opportunities to share learning with other students and parents.

For more details about the Primary Years Programme (PYP) please click this link to visit the IB website.