Early years: IEYC

In our Early Years Stage, we provide a welcoming and stimulating environment where learning is both enjoyable and engaging. Through play-based activities, we foster children's natural curiosity and help them explore the world around them, building their confidence, self-esteem and independence. We recognise each child as a unique individual, meeting their needs in a setting that embraces diversity and inclusion. Our programme nurtures social and emotional development while supporting cognitive and physical growth.

The International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) is a research-based program that covers all subject areas, supporting key areas of learning through a holistic, inquiry-led and play-based approach. It emphasises a learning process that harnesses children’s natural curiosity, balancing child-initiated exploration with teacher-guided activities in a nurturing environment. The IEYC is specifically tailored to give Early Years students essential foundations, preparing them for a smooth transition to the International Primary Curriculum (IPC).

At ISTCI, our Early Years curriculum is designed around diverse, exciting themes that ignite children's imagination and interest, all guided by the 8 core principles of the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC).

• The earliest years of life are important in their own right.
• Children should be supported to learn and develop at their own unique pace.
• Play is an essential aspect of all children’s learning and development.
• Learning happens when developmentally appropriate teacher scaffolded and child-initiated experiences harness children’s natural curiosity in an enabling environment.
• Independent and interdependent learning experiences create a context for personal development and are the foundation of international mindedness.
• Knowledge and skills development lead to an increasing sense of understanding when children are provided with opportunities to explore and express their ideas in multiple ways.
• Ongoing assessment, in the form of evaluation and reflection, is effective when it involves a learning-link with the home.
• Learning should be motivating, engaging and fun, opening up a world of wonder for children where personal interests can flourish.

IEYC Learning Outcomes

The Learning Outcomes within the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) encompass Academic and International Dimensions, identifying the Knowledge, Skills and growing Understanding that children progress towards. The IEYC acknowledges the fluid and dynamic nature of young children’s learning, recognising that they reach developmental milestones at different times and express various aspects of learning in diverse contexts. The Learning Outcomes within each strand help teachers monitor individual child development as they advance through the IEYC Units.

IEYC process to facilitate learning

• The Inner Cog: places the learner at the centre of their educational journey. Capturing Curiosity emphasizes collaboration, engaging students, teachers, and families in the learning process. Enable the Environment ensures children’s needs are met, while Learning-Link connects home and school to foster meaningful learning experiences.
• Ready, Steady Stage: This stage introduces the thematic unit with exciting activities (Entry Point) that engage both children and families, preparing them for IEYC Learning Experiences.
• Prepare, Engage, and Entry Point Stage: This stage introduces stakeholders to the unit’s learning opportunities, including key resources and concepts. It allows children to experiment and become familiar with the thematic learning environment.
• Journey through the Theme Stage: At this stage, children begin making connections between previous and new knowledge, supporting associative learning and providing opportunities to review and reflect.
• Playful Learning Experiences Stage: Consisting of Learning Blocks centred around a core focus, this stage encourages constructive and iterative learning. Children engage in contextualized activities that promote exploration, expression and the extension of their learning and development.
• Explore, Express, and Extend Mini-Cycle: This phase offers IEYC learning activities at a developmental level, aligning with the Dimensions of Learning and Development. It allows for progressive learning, where children can consolidate knowledge and develop essential skills at their own pace.
• Exit Stretch Stage: Serving multiple purposes, this stage encourages reflection on Personal, International, and Academic Learning Experiences. It’s also a time for sharing with peers and teachers and celebrating the learning journey within the unit.
• Reflect Aspect of the Exit Stretch Stage: This reflective component helps children make connections, deepen their understanding, and develop metacognitive skills.
• Outer Circles: Through Reflective Practices, we identify each child’s curiosities, capabilities, and preferred learning contexts. The IEYC framework recognizes children as active agents in their learning and development, adapting to their growing knowledge and understanding.

IEYC process to facilitate learning

The IEYC offers a comprehensive approach, which includes:

• The IEYC process of learning, including its underpinning philosophy and pedagogy.
• Three dimensions of Learning and Development: Academic, International and Personal.
• Learning Strands within each dimension, outlining the experiences students will engage in.
• Learning Outcomes, which describe the knowledge, skills and understanding children develop as they progress.
• Themed Units of Learning that assist teachers in planning and offer structured lesson ideas.
• An online Curriculum Portal that supports planning, sharing, webinars and resources.
• A Self-Review process that guides the effective implementation of IEYC.
• An optional Accreditation Process to validate the use of the IEYC.
• A full professional learning programme for educators, available in face-to-face, online, and blended formats.

What We Offer

At ISTCI, the IEYC is designed to enhance learning by providing teachers and leaders with internationally researched, contemporary curriculum materials, along with developmentally appropriate and engaging learning units. The IEYC emphasises the holistic development of each child through joyful, personal, international, and academic experiences, preparing them for future challenges and opportunities.

Through the international curriculum, students are encouraged to become informed, globally competent, socially conscious, and motivated to make a positive impact in both local and global contexts.