Early Years Program At DESK the IB Inquiry Based curriculum begins in the Early Years. The Early Years is the foundation of the Primary Years Programme (PYP). At DESK, the Early Years / Kindergarten staff provide the children with a play/discovery based learning environment. Students have the opportunity to experiment and explore about themselves and the world around them through Units of Inquiry (UOI) which are continuously revisited as they progress through the Primary Years Programme.
Play-based Learning The majority of the learning that occurs at DESK in Early Years, Pre-Kindergarten and Playgroup is play-based.
Play, and play-based learning are not the same. Both are fun, but play-based learning is purposefully designed to help students discover new skills and build understandings of the world around them. That's what we do here! To make a play-based lesson great, teachers provide open-ended opportunities for the students to investigate, ask questions, and find answers.
Early Years Whole Day Schedule 8:30
Arrival Time
9:00
Morning Greetings - Dance and Song
9:10
Circle Time
9:30
Learning Centres/ GFL / Park / ICT
10:15
Snack Time
10:45
Quiet Book / Puzzle Time
11:00
Unit of Inquiry / Open Kindergarten / Library
11:45
Outside Play / Physical Education
12:30
Show and Tell and Story Time
13:00
Lunch / Bus Time (End of Morning Programme)
13:40
Quiet / Nap Time
14:20
Afternoon Lesson 1- Science / Discovery / Art
15:05
Afternoon Lesson 2 - EAL / Outside Play / Discovery
16:00
Dismissal
Throughout the day and the week, the Early Years students are provided with a variety of age appropriate activities that focus not only on helping them learn about the world around them but also on developing socially, emotionally and physically.
Options for Younger Children: Pre Kindergarten & Playgroup In addition to our Early Years Programme at DESK, we also provide learning opportunities for even younger children. We offer a Playgroup once a week divided into two sessions for 1 to 3 year olds to join together with a parent. As well as Pre-Kindergarten for 2 to 3 year olds. Lessons are offered in English, but support can be given in Japanese, French and German. Using many songs, picture books and stories, as well as puppets, props, games, role plays and other fun and stimulating activities, children will learn such target language as greetings, colors, shapes, numbers, action verbs and short sentences.
Pre Kindergarten Pre-Kindergarten is for children from 2 to 3 years old, and prepares them for entering the Early Years / Kindergarten Programme. The Pre-Kindergarten school year is divided into three trimesters: 1) Colors and Shapes 2) Animals and Food 3) Body and Family Children can attend class, which is conducted in English, 3, 4, or 5 days a week (parents choose days) until 1pm and enrollment is possible any time of the year.
Playgroup
Playgroup is offered on Thursdays in two sessions: 10:00 - 11:00 Session 1 (1 - 2 Year Olds) 11:00 - 12:00 Session 2 (2 - 3 Year Olds) Great opportunity to learn English, make exciting discoveries and meet new friends. Come and join us!