Little Ducks
2025-26
WELCOME TO LITTLE DUCKS
Dear Parents,
My name is Lindsay LaMantia, and I am the Year Group Leader for Little Ducks at BISP, working alongside a team of dedicated and professional Early Years teachers and assistants.
In Little Ducks, we support children aged 2-3 years old. Our play-based curriculum puts play and activity at the centre of children's learning. Our staff’s priority is to establish strong relationships with children and their families, cultivating enriching learning spaces and activities that foster children's curiosity and extend their learning in alignment with their individual interests and developmental stages.
During a typical day in Little Ducks, the children will have opportunities to:
● Learn new ways to communicate and express their feelings and emotions
● Play outside exploring and investigating the natural world
● Explore a range of new sensory experiences, while building new language to describe these experiences
● Work on self-care skills (such as independently washing hands, dressing, and using the toilet)
● Play physically, learning to move their bodies with strength and confidence in a variety of different ways
● Share stories with adults and participate in group games
At BISP, we prioritise fostering strong and supportive relationships, recognizing that clear and regular communication between home and school is crucial for your child's success. Within this booklet you will find important information about preparing for the start of our new school year. If you have any questions or feel there is anything else we need to know about your child in advance, please let me know.
I am very much looking forward to meeting you and your child in person as we embark on a year filled with adventure, fun, and learning.
Best regards,
The Little Ducks Team.
MEET
LITTLE DUCKS TEAM
Lindsay LaMantia Year Leader llamantia@bisphuket.ac.th
AlexisAmbos Little Ducks Teacher aambos@bisphuket.ac.th
Miss Sa TeachingAssistant
Miss Nina TeachingAssistant
Miss Kor TeachingAssistant
Miss Pin TeachingAssistant
Miss Muay TeachingAssistant
Miss Chon TeachingAssistant
Miss Zaa TeachingAssistant
THE SCHOOL DAY
Little Ducks is an open learning environment where all the adults support the play and learning of all the children. Initially, your children will not be placed in a specific class, but be greeted by the Little Ducks Team. Once we get to know your children’s preferences and personalities, we will inform you of their class placement. This way we can ensure we will be able to create balanced and happy classes.
Little Ducks doors will open at 7.50am and registration will be completed by 8.30am, at which time the doors will be locked. We run a soft start between 7.55am - 8.30am where the children settle into their day and explore the exciting activities that are taking place.
If you arrive after 8.30am you will need to register your child in the primary office. Please then proceed to your child’s classroom where a member of staff will let you in. For safety reasons all doors will be locked throughout the morning.
Morning session 7:50 - 12:00
Full day
7:50 - 14:00 - sleep option only
Upon arrival in the morning please encourage your child to place their belongings in their locker. Please say goodbye quickly and avoid spending too much time in the classroom. It is important to establish a routine as early as possible so your child knows what to expect when coming to school.
At home time please try to be at school ready for when the doors open. Children can get upset if their parents are not there for them at home time. You may wait in the waiting area.
● 7:50 - 8:30: Soft start activities in all 3 classrooms and outdoor area
● 8:45 - 9:30: Rolling snack served
● 8:30 - 11:10: Activities in shared learning spaces and outdoor area
● 11:15 - 11:45: Lunch served in your child’s classroom
● 11:45 - 12:00: Pack up. Story and prepare for home time (if leaving)
● 12:00 - 13:45: Children sleep
● 13:45 - 14:00: Snack time. Prepare for home time. Children to be collected from Geckos Room.
When entering or leaving the classroom please ensure that the door is closed behind you. Please make sure the door is closed behind you.
SETTLING YOUR CHILD
For some children starting or changing a class can be challenging. Some children may not have left their parents or relatives before, so saying goodbye will be a big step for them. Every child will react differently to being brought to school and therefore we will respond to children’s needs individually.
Your child’s teacher may ask you to stay with your child for a period of time to help them settle. You may be asked to play with your child, or just stay in the area. The teacher may then ask you to wait in the waiting area or go further to the coffee shop.
Saying ‘Goodbye’ and telling your child that you will return is important so that children do not feel abandoned.
Please do not simply sneak out when your child is not looking! It is important to establish a routine. Once you say, ‘Goodbye’, you should leave, even if he or she becomes upset. If you keep returning every few minutes your child learns that every time they cry, their parents will return. For those children who are very upset, we may ask you to return at an earlier time, making the day shorter for your child until they are more settled and then we will gradually increase the time they stay.
Please note: only one adult should stay in class with a child to support them, not a whole family.
DAILY REQUIREMENTS
In Little Ducks, the children are not expected to wear a school uniform, however the school shop sells a Little Ducks T-shirt suitable for both boys and girls. Buying this shirt is not mandatory. Children should wear clothes that are comfortable and suitable for outdoor play. We do not recommend sending your child in wearing their special clothes to school, as clothes will get wet and dirty. You should choose shoes that are comfortable and which children can manage themselves (no laces).
Spare clothes and underwear/diapers should be brought to school each day in a school bag, with a plastic bag for the return of wet clothing.
As we have water machines both inside and outside, It is not necessary for your child to bring a water bottle to school. If however, your child is used to drinking from a bottle and is able to clearly identify their own bottle, you can send one in, but it must be clearly labelled with your child’s name.
We also ask that parents apply sunscreen to their children before coming to school.
NB: We ask that children do not bring toys to school unless they are needed as a comforter to help them settle. Bringing toys can cause difficulties as they may get lost or broken and we cannot take responsibility if this happens. Books are welcomed, we love to read favourite stories to children.
All items must be clearly labelled with your child’s name.
COMMUNICATION
It is very important that parents and teachers communicate regularly about each child’s learning and development. Teachers will meet with you during scheduled parent teacher conferences throughout the year. If you would like to speak to the teacher in addition to these parent teacher conferences please arrange a meeting with the teacher. If there are any changes in your child’s behaviour, health or general routines, please let your child’s teacher know. Often, simple changes to a child’s routine e.g. a family member visiting, can have an impact on their behaviour in school. It is good for the teacher to know any information so that they can understand each child better.
In Early Years, we use an application called ‘Toddle’ as a learning platform to document and connect families with their child’s learning and development. Teachers use photos and videos to record and track each child’s individual learning and progress. Teachers will give new parents a link to join and you will be able to access your child’s journal. It is important that parents check Toddle regularly so that they don’t miss any photos or important announcements. Please note that teachers may not be able to check Toddle during the day so if you have an urgent message please contact the Primary Office.
Alongside the Toddle communication, parents will also receive regular information emails from the Primary Principal and the Head of School. Each term, teachers will invite parents to individual Parent Consultations to discuss the play and learning of their child. Over the year, Teachers will arrange learning workshops for parents and play sessions so that parents can explore the environment with their child.
PLAY BASED LEARNING
Throughout the Early Years, children are actively encouraged to learn through play. Through play, children can discover their own interests, abilities and limitations; they imagine, investigate and explore. They develop memory skills, build vocabulary, learn new skills and knowledge and learn how to get on with adults and other children.
CURRICULUM
The Early Years learning experience here at BISP is based on the EYFS 2021 framework and is supported by the non-statutory guidance of ‘Birth to 5 Matters’. It includes:
● The seven areas of learning and development (see next page)
● Assessment through high-quality, age-appropriate observations and discussions with the children
● A strong focus on English language development through quality interactions in a language-rich environment
● A strong focus on self-regulation and executive function to build strong foundations for learning and development
SNACK and LUNCH
We give support to children as they eat, at the same time actively encouraging children to become independent eaters with a fork and spoon. Children are given a healthy snack (which always includes fruit) during the morning and one before home time. They are encouraged to drink water regularly. Lunches will be served in their classrooms. Children are encouraged to try a variety of different foods. Each day they will have: soup, vegetables, meat or fish (vegetarian option is also available) rice or pasta. Please let your teacher know if your child has any food allergies.
It is important to note that we have a strict ‘no nuts’ policy at our school.
TOILETING
We are happy to change nappies in school. If your child has a routine where they usually go to the toilet at a specific time please let your teacher know. We believe that we need to work as a home/school partnership in toilet training your child. Many parents are unsure about starting but it can be quite a simple process. Regular trips to the toilets, lots of praise and, most importantly, consistency will help. School and parents will work together to provide this consistent approach. Please ask for advice from your child’s teacher regarding toilet training.
SLEEP
Little Ducks children are welcome to sleep in school. We supply a mattress and sheet and ask that parents please provide a blanket and pillow. These can remain in school all week and should be taken home on Fridays to wash. Please speak directly with your classroom teacher for more information about how your child’s sleeping needs can be accommodated.
BIRTHDAYS
We love to celebrate birthdays in Little Ducks. Please give the class teacher at least a few days’ notice and ask for a suitable time slot to bring in a treat for the children. Please ensure all food is nut free. If you are bringing cake, please provide plates, forks/spoons, a cutting knife and candles. For ease, we recommend cupcakes or doughnuts. Please, no individual gift bags.
TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
Teachers will regularly take photographs of children taking part in activities in school to go into their learning records. During enrolment you were asked to indicate your willingness for the school to use these photos of your child. Photography is an important part of our record keeping and communication. Please let us know if there is any reason why your child’s image cannot be recorded.
Please do not take photographs of other children without their parents’ permission. This is a child safety issue and we ask that you respect this and do not take photographs either with a camera or a phone of any children except your own, and that you don’t use images with other children in them on social media platforms.
PARENT HELPERS
We love having parents help and so do the children! A child can spend the whole week feeling proud knowing that their mum or dad is coming in to help for 5 minutes. So if you are keen to read a story, sing a song, cook, make models, show the children photographs or talk about your job please let your child’s teacher know.
SICKNESS
We have a well-trained nursing team at school 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Should your child be injured we will take them to visit the nurse. If necessary you will be notified by the nurse.
If your child is sick, please keep them at home until they are well again. If they have had diarrhea or fever they should be free from this for at least 24 hours before attending school again. Sickness can spread very easily to other children and our teachers can also be infected. If we believe that your child is sick after being brought to school, we will take them to see the nurse and will ask you to come to school to collect them.
If your child is well enough to attend school but requires any form of medication, please take the medication to the school nurse (located at the entrance to Primary). Please do not put any medication into your child’s bag. The medicine should be clearly labeled with your child’s name and doctor’s instructions for giving the medicine.
Please note: Teachers or assistants will not give any medicine to children. This can only be done by the qualified school nurses.
NB: Please notify the school and class teacher if you have a change of telephone number and please try to keep your phone switched on while your child is in school.
DRESS UP DAYS
Through the school year we have days where the children dress-up. In November, we celebrate Loy Krathong where the children wear traditional Thai dress. We also have International Day where children can wear traditional dress from their home country, World Book Day where children are invited to dress as their favourite storybook character and Chinese New Year where children can wear something red or Chinese clothing. All of these events are well publicised before the event to ensure you have time to get a costume.
CHANGING DAYS OF ATTENDANCE
Should you wish to alter the days that your child attends, please speak to their teacher in the first instance. We closely monitor staff/child ratios and therefore advanced notice is needed to ensure class sizes are not exceeded. Unfortunately we are unable to make up sick days. If there are concerns or long term changes, please contact David Hyde (Deputy Principal) via e-mail at dhyde@bisphuket.ac.th
Please note: If your child has been absent or will be absent, the school cannot refund the fees.
ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL
Parents are asked to email primary@bisphuket.ac.th before 7:30am if your child will be absent. All absences will be listed as unauthorised until notification is received.
SPECIALIST LESSONS
In Little Ducks, our weekly timetable includes visits from our Primary Librarian, Physical Education staff, Music teacher and school dance teacher. During these sessions, the children will have the opportunity to sing songs, learn about musical instruments, explore movement to music, and become physically active—all within the safety and comfort of their familiar learning environment.
TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
Teachers will regularly take photographs of children taking part in activities in school and add them to children’s Toddle journal. During enrolment you were asked to indicate your willingness for the school to use these photos of your child. Photography is an important part of our record keeping and communication. Please let us know if there is any reason why your child’s image cannot be recorded. When taking photos of your own child there are often other children in the photo. It is essential you respect their privacy by not using images with other children in them on social media platforms without their parent's knowledge or permission. This is a child safety issue and we ask that you respect this.
I.T. SUPPORT and COUNSELLOR
These services are available for your use. You will find the IT Department and Counsellor Office on the ground floor of the Main Teaching Building (MTB).
For further curriculum information, please contact your child’s teacher or visit the Early Years section of the school website: https://www.bisphuket.ac.th/inspire-learning/early-years/
CALENDAR
KEY TERM DATES
● Term 1: 18th August - 12th December 2025
● Mid Term Break: 14th - 18th October 2025
● INSET Day (School Closed) 20th October 2025
● Term 2: 5th January - 4th April 2026
● Mid Term Break: 16th - 20th February 2026
● INSET Day (School Closed) 23rd February 2026
● Term 3: 20th April - 19th June 2026
USEFUL LINKS
Parent Handbook Linked HERE
This handbook contains all the information you need about your child’s school experience.
Early Years Curriculum Booklet Linked
HERE
The Curriculum Booklet for Early Years contains the learning objectives for the Nursery and Reception children.
Code of Conduct for Parents Linked
HERE
We ask all community members to behave with Respect, Compassion and Integrity. Full details can be found in this code of conduct.
Parent Portal Login Page
Linked HERE
The parent portal can be accessed through the school website. It contains information only available to parents. You will need your account and password details to login.
Schools Buddy
Linked HERE
SchoolsBuddy is where you need to book your child’s after school activities each term. You will need to use your child’s account to select activities. User account and passwords are required.
