St Andrews Sukhumvit 107 Early Years Curriculum Guide

CURRICULUM GUIDE

Early Years 2023/24

AS S107 LEARNERS WE DEMONSTRATE...

I actively listen to others I proactively support our community I respect our environment

I am the best I can be I work hard and never give up I celebrate success

I am reflective in my learning I am critical in my thinking I show courage by exploring new ideas

I embrace diversity I respect individuality I value all members of our community

HEADOFSCHOOLMESSAGE

AstheHeadofSchoolatStAndrewsSukhumvit107, itiswithpleasurethatIpresenttoyouourEarly Yearscurriculumbookletfortheacademicyear 2023/24 Itakegreatprideinofferinga comprehensiveBritishinternationaleducation journeyfromNurserytoReception.

Thisbookletispartofaseriesthatconcisely summarisesourcurriculumacrossEarlyYearsand throughtoYear13 Thissummaryplaysapivotal roleinprovidingparents,staff,andstudentswitha holisticunderstandingofoureducationalofferings throughoutthevariousphasesofschooling.Asour studentsprogress,theseinsightsbecomeeven moresignificant,especiallywhentheymake crucialdecisionsregardingtheiracademicpaths, including(I)GCSEandtheInternational Baccalaureate(IB).

Pleasereadthisbooklet,inconjunctionwithour website:www.standrewssukhumvit.com.Doingso willgiveyouadeeperappreciationfortheunique aspectsthatmakeStAndrewsSukhumvit107a remarkableinternationalschool

Ourstudentsareexcellingacademicallyandthrivingthroughourextensivearrayoflearning experiences,bothwithinthecurriculumandthroughourvibrantextra-curricularprogramme

Asourstudentsjourneythroughourschool,weprovideopportunitiesforthemtocultivate independence,motivation,andathirstforknowledge.Weencouragethemtoembrace challenges,learnfromsetbacks,andthinkcritically.Theseskillsarethecornerstoneoftheir readinessforfurthereducationandeventualsuccessinourrapidlyevolvingworld

Ourcommitmenttoexceptionalteachingandlearningisasourceofimmenseprideforus,and wehopethatthisbooklet,alongwithourotherpublications,offersyoudeeperinsightsintoour educationalphilosophyandobjectives.Shouldyourequirefurtherassistanceorinformation, pleasedonothesitatetocontactusthroughtheAdmissionsOfficeorourPrimaryandSecondary Schooloffices.

ThankyouforbeinganintegralpartoftheStAndrewsSukhumvit107community.Together,we shallcontinuetonurtureandempowerthebrightmindsoftomorrow

CarolineRatcliffe HeadofSchool

"Highqualityearlychildhoodeducationandcaregiveschildren thebeststartinlife.Itprovidesimportantopportunitiestolearn anddevelop.Earlychildhoodeducationandcarecanhelp yourchildmakefriends,developindependenceandlearnnew routines.ItalsosupportstheirtransitionintoPrimaryschool."

KateShaffer,HeadofEarlyYearsand Primary

HEADOFEARLYYEARS&PRIMARYMESSAGE

AstheHeadofPrimary&EarlyYears, Iam pleasedtointroduceyoutotheEarlyYears programmeatStAndrew'sSukhumvit107 InternationalSchool S107isanexceptional learningenvironmentwhereyourchild's educationaljourneyisnurturedwithcare, dedication,andacommitmenttoexcellence.

StAndrewsSukhumvit107proudlyfollowstheUK EarlyYearsFoundationStage(EYFS)curriculum,a comprehensiveframeworkthatsetsthe foundationforholisticandchild-centered education TheEYFScurriculumpromotesthe developmentofcriticalskills,knowledge,and understandingacrossallareasoflearning, ensuringthateverychildthrivesinanatmosphere ofexplorationanddiscovery.

Ourskillededucatorsembraceaplay-based approach,fosteringcuriosityandcreativitywhile tailoringactivitiestosuitindividuallearningstyles.

Whattrulysetsusapartisourunwaveringdedicationtofosteringacaringcommunity.Ourschool isaplacewhereeverychildisvalued,respected,andcelebratedfortheiruniquequalities.We understandthateachstudent'sgrowthextendsbeyondacademics,andwetakepridein nurturingtheirsocial,emotional,andpersonaldevelopment Ourcommunityofpassionate educators,supportivestaff,andengagedparentsworkcollaborativelytocreateanurturing environmentthatpromotesconfidence,empathy,andlifelonglearning.

Asweembarkonthisexcitingjourneytogether,Iencourageyoutoexploreourschool'senriching programs,state-of-the-artfacilities,andtheplethoraofopportunitiesforstudentstoflourish. Whetherit'sthroughdynamicclassroomexperiencesorenrichmentandextra-curricular activities,wearecommittedtoinspiringyoungmindstobecomeglobalcitizenswhocontribute positivelytotheworldaroundthem

Ilookforwardtogettingtoknoweachofyouandwitnessingyourchildren'sincrediblegrowthand achievements.IfyouhaveanyquestionsorwouldliketolearnmoreaboutourEarlyYearsand Primaryprogram,pleasedon'thesitatetoreachouttous.Let'sworkhandinhandtocreatean exceptionaleducationaljourneyfilledwithjoy,exploration,andlastingmemories

KateShaffer HeadofEarlyYearsandPrimary

WELCOMETOEARLYYEARSATS107

AgeRange:2-5years

YearGroups:Nursery,Kindergarten,Reception

S107’sEarlyYearsCentrefocusesondevelopingthewholechild.Attheheartofourbeliefsisan understandingandrespectforyoungchildrenasunique,capable,andcuriouslearners.Using theBritishEarlyYearsFoundationStagecurriculumasourstartingpoint,studentsandteachers cometogethereachdaytoinvestigate,play,buildrelationships,andcreatesharedmeaning abouttheworldaroundthem.Ourdedicatedcentreprovidesindoorandoutdoorlearning spaceswhereyourchildwillfindahomeawayfromhomewithplentyofroomtogrow.

– Margaret Meade

“Weareprivilegedtohaveasuperb,welltrainedteamofEarlyYearsspecialists,withawide varietyofinternationalteachingexperiences,workingwithouryoungestlearners. Thisisvitalfor thechildrentofeelsafe,happyandconfident,aswellasmaketheterrificprogressweknowour learnersarecapableof OurEarlyYearsCentreiswideenoughtoexploreandyetsmallenough tocare. CareisattheveryheartofallwedohereatS107andeachchildjoinsafamilyof learners. Thestaffworktirelesslyonadailybasistomakesureeverychildfeelsspecial,we communicateeffectivelywitheachfamilyandmakesureeveryoneismadetofeelwelcome.”

OurEarlyYearsCentrehasapondwhereour classesspenddedicatedtimeeveryweek. This isahighlightofeverychild’stimeatS107!Itisan opportunityforfun,playbasedexploration, wherethechildrencanbuildtheirwater confidence,engagein‘LoosePartsPlay’,startto askandanswerscientificquestionsand experiencemathematicalconceptssuchas capacity. Thelearningopportunitiesareendless andourteachingstaffarealwayslookingfor waystofurtherenhancetheexperience This canbesomethingsimplelikeaddingbubblesto thewaterortomorecomplexenhancements suchaspipesandtubingtodirectmovingwater andexperience‘causeandeffect’

Children must be taught how to think, not what to think

ElliotSilvester, EarlyYearsCoordinator.

TheveryethosofStAndrewsS107InternationalSchool,encompassesandcelebrates diversityintheclassroom.Byallowingchildrentocelebratediversity,they’llhavea betterunderstandingofothers.Notonlycanitallowchildrentounderstandequality forall(meaningequalopportunities),butalsoequity(meaningtoprovidethetoolsfor peopletosucceed,whencomingfromdifferentplacesinlife)

ThisethosfitsveryneatlyintoourEarlyYearscurriculum,wherewestrivetogive childrenknowledgeanddevelopunderstandingoftheworldaroundthem. Byfirst focusingoneventsthatareimportanttoourchildren’sliveswecanthenbeginto broadenthechildren’shorizon'stoencompasscelebrationsthatareimportantto others.

WecelebrateahostofdifferentculturesthroughwholeschooleventssuchasLunar NewYear,LoyKrathong,Christmas,SongkranandInternationalday,celebratingthe wealthofnationalitieswehaveatS107

THEUKEARLYYEARSFOUNDATIONSTAGE(EYFS)

TheEarlyYearsFoundationStage(EYFS)setsthestandardsforthelearning, developmentandcareofyourchildfrombirthto5yearsold TheEYFSsetsout7areas oflearninganddevelopmentwhichareintertwinedandchildrenmove

Theareasoflearningaredividedinto3primeareas,whichunderpinandprovidethe foundationforthefurther4specificareasasfollows:

PrimeAreas:

communicationandlanguage

physicaldevelopment

personal,socialandemotionaldevelopment

SpecificAreas:

literacy

mathematics

understandingtheworld

expressiveartsanddesign

Wefurtherenhanceourcurriculumoffering,bynotonlylookingatwhatwewantour childrentolearn,buthowwewantourchildrenatS107todevelopasleaners. Wedothis byfocusingontheCharacteristicsofEffectiveLearning.

Playingandexploring–childreninvestigateand experiencethings,and‘haveago’

Activelearning–childrenconcentrateandkeepon tryingiftheyencounterdifficulties,andenjoy achievements

Creatingandthinkingcritically–childrenhaveand developtheirownideas,makelinksbetweenideas, anddevelopstrategiesfordoingthings

STANDREWSEARLYYEARSCURRICULUM

StAndrewsS107'scurriculumisbasedontheUK NationalCurriculumEarlyYearsFoundationStage (EYFS),butweadaptthistomeetourinternational learners

LearningThroughPlay: Interwoventhroughour curriculum,weseektodevelopthechildren’screativity, communication,andenquiryapproachtolearning.This iswhyweareadvocatesofthismethodasplayisan importantpartofachild’searlydevelopment.Playing helpsyoungchildren’sbrainstodevelopandfortheir languageandcommunicationskillstomature

AUniqueChild:Everychildisacompetentlearnerfrom birthandcanberesilient,capable,confident,andselfassured

PositiveRelationships:Childrenlearntobestrongand independentfromabaseoflovingandsecure relationshipswithparentsandcarers.

EnablingEnvironments:Theenvironmentsupportsand extendsachild’sdevelopmentandlearning

LearningandDeveloping:Childrendevelopandlearn indifferentwaysandatdifferentrates Allareasoftheir learninganddevelopmentareequallyimportant

PRIMEAREAS:Communication&Language

Thedevelopmentofchildren’sspoken languageunderpinsallsevenareasof learninganddevelopment.Children’s back-and-forthinteractionsfroman earlyageformthefoundationsfor languageandcognitivedevelopment. Communicatingandconversingwith bothadultsandpeersthroughouttheday inalanguage-richenvironmentisso important.Bycommentingonwhat childrenareinterestedinordoing,and echoingbackwhattheysaywithnew vocabularyadded,ourteachersareable tosupportchildren’slanguageeffectively

Readingfrequentlytochildren,andengagingthemactivelyinstories,non-fiction, rhymesandpoems,andthenprovidingthemwithextensiveopportunitiestouse andembednewwordsinarangeofcontexts,givesouryoungestchildrenthe opportunitytothrive

Throughconversation,storytellingandroleplay,wherechildrensharetheirideas withsupportandmodellingfromtheirteacher,andsensitivequestioningthat invitesthemtoelaborate,childrenbecomecomfortableusingarichrangeof vocabularyandlanguage

HomeLanguage

Weunderstand thatmanyofourchildrenjoin usspeakinghomelanguagesotherthan English,andwerecognisetheimportanceof homelanguage.ChildrenwilllearnEnglish moreeasilywithastrongfoundationintheir homelanguage.Thereisawealthofcurrent researchtoshowhowimportantitisforour familiestocontinuetousetheirhome languageforlinguisticaswellascultural reasons HereatS107wecelebrate multilingualism!

PRIMEAREAS:Personal,Socialand

EmotionalDevelopment(PSED)

Children'spersonal,socialandemotionaldevelopment(PSED)iscrucialinhelpingto leadhappyandhealthylives,anditagainunderpinsallareasoflearningand development.Strong,warmandsupportiverelationshipswithadultsatS107enable childrentolearnhowtounderstandtheirownfeelingsandthoseofothers Throughan enablingenvironmentandpositiverelationships,childrenaresupportedtomanage theiremotions,developapositivesenseofself,setthemselvessimplegoals,have confidenceintheirownabilities,topersistandwaitforwhattheywantanddirect attentionasnecessary.

Throughadultmodellingandguidance,theywilllearnhowtolookaftertheirbodies, includinghealthyeating,andmanagetheirpersonalneedsindependently Through supportedinteractionandplaywithotherchildren,theylearnhowtomakegood friendships,co-operateandresolveconflictspeacefully Theseskillswillprovideaour youngestS107learnerswiththeconfidenceandindependenceneededtosucceedlater inlife.

PRIMEAREAS:PhysicalDevelopment

Physicaldevelopmentisvitalforchildren’sallrounddevelopment. Movementis fundamentaltochildren’scognitivefunctioningandtheirformingofemotional connections Grossandfinemotorskillsaredevelopedincrementallythroughoutearly childhood,startingwithsensoryexplorationsandthedevelopmentofcorestrengthand co-ordination

AtS107weareproudofourfantasticEarlyYearsgarden,theperfectoutdoorenvironment tosupportthedevelopmentofchildren’sgrossmotorskills. OurEarlyYearsstaffalsoplan highqualityplayactivitiesonadailybasistodevelopchildren’sfinemotorskills,asthese arethefoundationsoffuturesuccessinskillssuchaswriting

SPECIFICAREAS

Literacyisattheheartofallgreatcurriculums!HereatS107thestaffworkhardto fosteratrueloveofbooksandstorywiththechildren.Highqualitybooksandstories arethestartingpointformuchofourlearningandinourEarlyYearsCentreweare abletoimmersethechildreninaliteracyrichenvironment. Asthechildrendevelop weintroducethemtoadailysyntheticphonicsprogramme,whichallowsthechildren tousetheirnewknowledgetodecodetext(reading)andencode(writing). OurEarly Yearsstaffareluckyenoughtosharethosewonderfulmomentswiththechildrenof S107,astheystarttobelieveinthemselvesasreadersandwriters

Mathematics.TheEarlyYearsFoundationStagestatesthatyoungchildrenneedto developa‘stronggroundinginnumber’inordertodevelopthebuildingblockstoexcel atmathematics. Teachersuseavarietyofdifferentmethodstointroduceandexplore mathematicalconceptswithouryoungestlearnersatS107,includingteacherled learning,childledinvestigationandplaybasedexploration. TeachersatS107ensure theysupportourlearnerstodevelopapositiveattitudeandmodeltochildrenhowto lookforpatternsandmakeconnections Itisessentialthatchildrenaretaughtto ‘haveago’,talktoadultsandtheirpeersaboutthethingstheynoticeandarenot concernedaboutmakingmistakes

UnderstandingtheWorldinvolvesguidingstudentstomakesenseoftheir physicalworldandtheircommunitythroughopportunitiestoexplore,observe andfindoutaboutpeople,places,technologyandtheenvironment.

ExpressiveArtandDesigninvolvesenablinglearnerstoexploreandplaywith widerangeofmediaandmaterials,aswellasprovidingopportunitiesand encouragementforsharingtheirthoughts,ideasandfeelingsthroughavariety ofactivitiesinart,music,movement,dance,role-play,anddesignand technology.

InEarlyYearsatS107,weprideourselvesonthenurturingandsupportiveenvironment wehaveforourchildren,bothinsideandoutsideoftheclassroom.Inadditiontothe timespentintheirclassroomwiththeirclassteacher,wearefortunatetobeableto providesomespecialistlessonsledbyspecialistteachersfromNurseryonwards,in ordertoprovidethemwithawellroundedandholisticeducation. InEarlyYears,the specialistlessonsare:

Music

PE Swimming

Thai(Receptionclassonly)

Music

MusicisanintegralpartoftheS107EYFS curriculum,asmusic,movementand singingnotonlyigniteemotional,creative andexpressivelearninginchildren,but alsobenefitchildren’sspeech,language andunderstanding.

“Ifchildrenareexposedtodifferentgenres ofmusic,differentbeats,temposand volumes,theywillbegintodifferentiate, discussandunderstandmusicaswellas begintoexplore,tapoutanddiscusstheir ownbeats,patternsandrhythms,which igniteadeepercriticalthinkingwhen exploringandexperiencingsoundand musicinanopen-endedandnaturalway”

-MsMagda,EarlyYears&PrimaryMusic Teacher

PhysicalEducation(PE)

PhysicalEducationisintegraltotheEarly YearsFoundationStage(EYFS)curriculumat S107becauseitpromotesholistic development Itenhancesphysicalfitness, fineandgrossmotorskills,andcoordination. Additionally,itinstillshealthyhabits, teamwork,andsocialinteraction, contributingtowell-roundedgrowthand overallacademicsuccessforouryoung learners.OurEarlyYearsstudentsattendPE twiceperweekfromNurseryonwards, helpingthemtohavefun,burnenergy,and continuetodeveloptheconfidence, coordinationandskillsneededtosupport themwithinotherareasoflearningaswell.In PElessons,ourEarlyYearsstudentslearnskills suchasbalancing,coordination,ballskills, throwing,catching,teamgames,teamwork andfun

Swimming

SwimmingholdsapivotalroleintheEarlyYearsFoundationStage(EYFS)curriculumfor severalreasons.Firstly,itpromotesphysicaldevelopment,enhancingstrength, coordination,andcardiovascularhealth Additionally,water-basedactivitiesfoster essentiallifeskills,includingwatersafetyandconfidenceinaquaticenvironments. Moreover,swimmingencouragessocialinteraction,teamwork,andcommunication amongchildren.Italsostimulatessensoryexperiences,contributingtoholistic development Overall,incorporatingswimmingintotheEYFScurriculumensuresawellroundededucationalexperiencethatnurturesphysical,social,andemotionalgrowth.At S107,wehavetwoEarlyYearsspecialistswimmingteacherswhohelpourstudentsontheir journeyoflearningtoswim.AllourEarlyyearsyeargroupsattendSwimminglessonstwice perweekinordertobuildtheirconfidenceinthewater

ThaiLanguage

FromReceptiononwards,ourstudents attendThailessonstwiceperweek Thai issplitintotwostreams,oneforThai firstlanguagespeakers,andonefor studentswhosefirstlanguageisnot Thai.Learninganotherlanguageis beneficialtoallourstudentsasit developsagreaterunderstandingand appreciationofotherpeopleand customsthataredifferenttotheirown. Italsosupportsbettermemoryskills, improvedabilitytofocus,increased vocabulary,andmore

SCHOOLDAYEXAMPLE

TIMETABLEEXAMPLE

ADDITIONALEARLYYEARSINFORMATION

SoftStart

AcrossallEarlyYearsyeargroups,themorningfollowsa‘softstart’approach Thismeanswhen childrenfirstarrivetoschool,theywillcometotheEarlyYearsplaygroundandhavesometime torelaxandplayandsettleintotheday.Oncetheygointotheirclassrooms,theywillhave sometimetoplayandexploreintheclassroombeforecomingtothecarpetforregistration andcircletime.This‘softstart’approachallowsourchildrentofeelmorecomfortableand settled,andallowsourstaffthetimetosupportchildrenwhomaybeexperiencingseparation anxietywhensayinggoodbyetotheirparentsorcarers AtS107webelievethefoundationfor learningisinensuringourchildrenfeelsafeandfeelasenseofbelonging.Weworkwithboth childrenandfamiliestoensurethebestpossiblestartforallourchildren.

ParentsasPartners

AtS107wetrulybelieveintheimportanceofbuildingstrongrelationshipsbetweenhomeand school Ourparentsandfamiliesprovideaninvaluableinsightandsupportforourchildren,and ensuringthatthelinesofcommunicationbetweenhomeandschoolareopenisparamount. Teacherscommunicatewithparentsdaily,bothviaourSeesawapp(onlinelearningjournal), andalsobygreetingandtalkingtoparentsatthebeginningandendofeachday.

Seesaw

HereatS107weutiliseawonderful applicationcalledSeesaw.Thisprovides parentswiththeirownprivatewindowinto theclassroom.Thisiswherepicturesofthe children’slearningareshared,focusbooks andsongsaswellasanopportunitytosee yourchildrentakepartinthevarious specialistlessonsthattakeplaceatS107.Itis alsooneofthekeywayswecan communicatewithparentsandaneasyway foryoutochattoyourclassteacher Early Yearseducationworksatitsbestwhenthe linkbetweenhomeandschoolareattheir strongest.

CounselingServices

Wearefortunatetohaveawholeschoolcounsellorsanddedicatedwellbeing teamatS107.TheyworkthroughoutthewholeschoolfromNurserytoYear13. Thecounsellorisavailabletooffersupportandguidancetostudentsandtheir parents.Thiswillbewhenachildisexperiencingdifficultiesofanemotional, personalorsocialnature.Forouryoungeststudents,iftheyrequirecounselling support,thisisofferedthroughaplaytherapyapproach

AssessmentandObservationinEarlyYears

OurEarlyYearsstaffareconstantlyobservingthechildrenintheircare.By watchingthechildrencarefullyweareabletoclearlyseetheirnextstepsin learning.Timelyinteractions,usingguidedquestioning,whilstchildrenare immersedintheirplaycanhelpsupportchildrenmakenewconnections,new learninganddeepenanddevelopunderstanding Staffmeetregularlyto discusstheirobservationsofchildrenandtheirnextstepsinlearning,which theninformstheplanningoflearningforthefollowingweeks.EarlyYears specialistsareadeptatassessingonthego!HereatS107theyaregiventhe agencyandfreedomtorespondtochildreninthemoment,providingwhatthe childrenneedtomovetheirlearningon.

ReportingSchedule

Inadditiontotheongoingassessmentofchildrenthroughouttheschoolday usingobservations,wewealsohaveamoreformalisedreportingschedule throughouttheyearasfollows:

Term1.1 (October)-Parentteachermeeting

EndofTerm1(December):Writtenreport

EndofTerm2(March):Parentteachermeeting

EndofTerm3(June):Writtenreport