Introduction
The Early Childhood section at IST serves students from Kinder 2 through Kinder 5, providing a vibrant and engaging start to their academic journey. Our program is committed to nurturing the whole child—fostering curiosity, social-emotional development, and foundational academic skills in a supportive, internationally-minded environment.
Consistent with the school’s philosophy, English language acquisition and learning are conducted using a total immersion model throughout IST. Hence, all subject areas are exclusively instructed in English.
Early Childhood Curriculum
Our curriculum is child-centered and designed to be inquiry-based, ensuring a strong academic foundation and a love for learning. The educational experience for all students is structured around four Core Subjects: Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. As students progress through Early Childhood, Physical Education is introduced in Kinder 4 and Kinder 5, promoting healthy development, coordination, and teamwork.
Early Childhood Team
Our dedicated Early Childhood Team consists of highly qualified and passionate educators who are committed to providing a warm, caring, and stimulating environment. Through continuous professional development, our teachers stay current with best practices in early childhood education, ensuring a personalized approach that meets the unique developmental needs and learning styles of every student from Kinder 2 to Kinder 5. They work collaboratively to guide children through their developmental milestones and ensure a seamless transition into the Elementary section.
Early Childhood Values
At IST, our values are at the heart of everything we do, beginning with our youngest learners in Early Childhood and continuing throughout the entire school. We foster a learning environment where every child is encouraged to be “A Caring Student” by developing essential character traits. Our curriculum and daily interactions promote and celebrate:
- Cooperative behaviors, where students learn to “share and take turns.”
- Independent thinking and action, encapsulated by the phrase “I can do it myself.”
- Reflective practice, as students are taught to think about “what I do.”
- Grateful attitudes, helping students feel “happy when I’m kind.”
- Courageous spirits, empowering them with the mindset “I am going to try. I can do it.”
- Respectful conduct toward others and the environment: “I respect people and places.”
These core values shape positive behaviors, build strong social and emotional skills, and lay the foundation for a lifetime of successful learning and Global Citizenship.
Early Childhood Facilities
The Early Childhood Facilities are purpose-built to inspire young learners. Our bright, inviting classrooms are equipped with engaging, cutting-edge resources designed to facilitate hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Students benefit from exclusive access to dedicated learning spaces, stimulating indoor and outdoor play areas, and a safe, nurturing environment that promotes exploration and social interaction.
A key element of our engaging environment is the cheery and well-equipped back garden. This space allows children to enjoy supervised outdoor play, where they can develop gross motor skills and socialize while using facilities like tricycles, swings, a slide, and more.
Early Childhood Supervision
To support our busy families, we offer comprehensive, safe supervision for Early Childhood students before and after school. This ensures a seamless and nurturing experience for your child while providing parents with essential scheduling flexibility.
Early Childhood After-school Activities
Our Early Childhood After-school Activities program is designed to complement the core curriculum, allowing students to explore new interests, develop talents, and engage in social play beyond the regular school day. The current activities on offer include:
| Activity
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Details
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| MINIBASKET 🏀 | Lessons are organised in collaboration with Azzurra Team Trieste. This activity is aimed at Kinder 5 students.
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| MUSIC 🎶 | Lessons are organized in collaboration with OperUS. Activities include “First Steps in Music”, Piano, Violin, Singing, Guitar & Ukulele starting from Kinder 2.
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| SKI ⛷️ | Lessons are organized by the Association Sci CAI XXX OTTOBRE. Activities include the “First Snow 2026” and “Advanced Snow 2026” for students starting from Kinder 2 and the pre-competitive “Superbaby” course for Kinder 5 students.
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