Early Years (Ages 2 – 6)
Nurturing the Foundation of Lifelong Learning
Imagine a school where your child’s early years are filled with joy, exploration, and the nurturing of their unique potential. A place where young learners are empowered to grow and thrive in a caring, supportive environment.
The Early Years stage at the International School of Zanzibar (ISZ) is designed for children aged 2 to 5 years, covering the crucial years from Playgroup, Nursery to the end of the Reception Class. Our Early Years department are building our students up for secondary with an introduction of the International Primary curriculum, in Years 1 & 2 (ages 5 to 7).
Early Years Philosophy and Curriculum
At ISZ, our Early Years programme provides a strong foundation for lifelong learning. As a play-based learning centre, we believe that children learn best when they are engaged, curious, and supported to explore the world around them. Following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, we focus on fostering independence, creativity, and a love for learning through play. Our approach encourages children to develop key skills such as communication, social interaction, and problem-solving, while also reaching their developmental milestones across areas like literacy, numeracy, and physical development. This holistic framework ensures that children are prepared to transition smoothly into the structured learning environment of Year 1.
Our well-trained, caring Early Years team ensures that children are happy, successful, and thriving. We work together to achieve the best for each child, providing a safe and nurturing environment.
Our spacious, well-equipped classrooms and play areas, including a large playground with a covered sandpit, swing, slide, and climbing frame, encourage the development of gross motor skills. Dedicated areas in and around the classroom focus on different learning and developmental areas.
Students in Early Years are introduced to specialist teachers, taking swimming classes, Swahili and Physical Education.
Our Curriculum is organised according to four themes and principles:
- Every child is unique, who is constantly learning and able of being resilient, capable, confident and self-assured;
- Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships;
- Children develop well in enabling environments where their experiences meet their individual needs, supported by strong partnerships between practitioners and parents/guardians.
- Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.
Characteristics of Effective Learning
- Playing and Exploring engagement
- Being willing to “have a go”
- Finding out and exploring
- Playing with what they know
- Active Learning – Motivation
- Being involved and concentrating
- Keep trying
- Enjoying what they set out to do
- Creating and Thinking critically – thinking
- Having their own ideas
- Making links
- Choosing ways to do things
Curriculum Areas of Learning and Development
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities.
Communication and Language Development;
Involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
Physical Development
Involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop coordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.
Literacy developments
Involve encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children are given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems and other written materials) to ignite their interests.
Mathematics
Involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces and measures.
Understanding the world
Involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
Expressive Arts and Design
Involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play and design and technology
Building Connections Through the IPC and Cambridge Curriculum
As children move into Year 1 and 2, the foundations laid in Early Years are seamlessly integrated into the Cambridge English and Maths curricula, where core skills are strengthened and expanded. Thematic learning, guided by the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), helps students explore topics in a cross-curricular way, encouraging them to connect ideas and deepen their understanding of the world. Through engaging and age-appropriate themes, students develop their critical thinking, creativity, and cultural awareness, which are vital for their future academic success. This integrated approach ensures that the transition from play-based learning in Early Years to more formalised learning in Key Stage 1 is both natural and inspiring for every child.
Students in Year 1 & 2 are introduced to specialist teachers, taking swimming classes, Swahili, Physical Education and Library time. Learn more about the primary program at ISZ.
Join us and watch as your child blossoms into a confident, capable, and curious learner.
Apply now or get in touch with us to learn more about how we can support your child’s early development. We look forward to welcoming you to the ISZ family.
