PRIMARY EARLY YEARS

Early Years at The British School of Brussels: A parent’s guide How we support your child’s growth from ages 1 to 5

What to expect in Early Years at BSB Step into an Early Years classroom at The British School of Brussels and you’ll notice children actively exploring, asking questions, and taking part in hands-on activities. Our Early Years programme is for children aged 1 to 5 and is designed to help every child build confidence, independence, and a genuine enjoyment of learning from the very beginning.

Everyday learning: How children grow at BSB Each day offers new opportunities. A two-year-old might be learning through sensory play, while a fiveyear-old could be explaining a project they worked on in our outdoor learning area. Our classrooms and daily routines are set up to encourage curiosity and personal growth, following up-to-date research on how young children learn best.

We keep our class sizes small and ensure that every group has an experienced Early Years teacher and professional support staff. This allows us to focus on each child’s needs, making sure every child is noticed, supported, and encouraged to try new things.

Learning in Action: Our Approach At BSB, we provide a practical and engaging learning environment for our youngest students. Rather than relying on worksheets, children engage in meaningful activities that are relevant to their experiences.

Our curriculum is informed by the UK’s ‘Birth to 5 Matters’ guidance, while also considering the diverse international backgrounds of our student body. By incorporating recognised best practices from global educational models, such as Reggio Emilia from Italy and the Leuven Scales for engagement from Belgium, we have developed a curriculum designed to promote self-regulation, exploratory play, physical development, and overall wellbeing. Through this approach, children cultivate skills in: • Communication • Physical development • Social skills • Early reading and maths • Understanding the world • Creative expression.

We combine structured lessons with play, so children get a strong start and enjoy learning. Learning environments are organised so children can easily find what they need and explore their interests. For example, a tray of buttons may be used for counting, storytelling, or building something new. Teachers guide learning with clear goals, but children’s interests help shape each day.

A connected and enriched day Technology is not screen based, but might involve close looking through a microscope, or experimenting with shadow, light and sound, and interactive whiteboards are used for group activities. Much of our learning happens outside - children regularly explore nature, paint outdoors, and investigate how things work through activities that use all their senses. Outdoor learning is part of our daily routine, whatever the weather, making the most of our well-equipped campus.

From the start, children have lessons with specialists in music and PE and have exposure to French and Outdoor Learning experiences. This ensures that every child experiences a rich and varied day. Music, stories, and movement are part of daily activities, helping children express themselves and enjoy learning new skills.

Everyday essentials: making life easy for families A typical day at BSB balances structure with choice.

Children arrive ready to learn, have healthy snacks and hot lunches, and leave at the end of the day happily tired from active learning. On Wednesdays, school finishes at midday, giving families more time together and children a chance to rest, supporting both wellbeing and learning.

We take care of practical details for families. The school provides PE kits and book bags and ensures that children are prepared for outdoor play with waterproofs and wellington boots. Every part of the day is planned to make learning smooth, inclusive, and enjoyable for every child.

Bilingual learning and global skills

Experiences that inspire

From Reception (ages 4–5), many children can join our French–English bilingual programme. In this pathway, children learn through both languages, following the same curriculum. This helps them develop strong language skills, flexible thinking, and an understanding of different cultures.

Learning continues beyond the classroom with short, purposeful outings that connect with what children are learning in class—our “Units of Discovery.” For example, children may visit local wildlife parks, farms, or museums to explore questions like “What makes animals unique?” or “How do colours work?” These trips help children see how classroom ideas relate to the real world.

All children, even those not in the bilingual stream, start learning French early on. Dutch is added later in Primary. Our approach ensures that every child begins learning new languages in a natural and enjoyable way.

A foundation for the future

Early years at BSB is more than preparation for Primary School. It’s where children develop curiosity, confidence, and a positive attitude to learning. Our aim is for every child to progress from Early Years as a happy, enthusiastic learner, ready for the next step. Parents often notice how much their children look forward to coming to school and discovering new things every day, thanks to our supportive community and dedicated staff.

The British School of Brussels vzw

Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium

+32 (0)2 766 04 30

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www.britishschool.be Find us on:

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admissions@britishschool.be