Early Childhood

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.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is child-centered and designed to be inquiry-based, ensuring a strong academic foundation and a lifelong love for learning. The educational experience is structured around four Core Subjects—Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies—where learning is driven by sensory exploration and play.

In Literacy, students develop phonological and print awareness through rhymes, stories, and finger plays, while in Mathematics children discover foundational number sense, geometric sorting, and algebraic patterns. As students progress, Physical Education is introduced in Kinder 4 to promote healthy development, coordination, and teamwork, ensuring a well-rounded start to their academic journey.

Within this supportive environment, students engage with Science and Social Studies by observing the world around them, from weather phenomena and life cycles to the roles of community helpers and the importance of citizenship. Our program emphasizes self-discovery and social-emotional growth, teaching children to express emotions, make independent choices, and understand their place within a family and classroom. By blending academic rigor with dramatic play and hands-on experimentation, we foster the critical thinking skills and global mindset necessary for a seamless transition into the Elementary section.

Team

The Early Childhood Team, composed of dedicated educators, provides a warm, multicultural environment where they foster both foundational academic skills and the initial traits of global citizenship. By staying current with best practices, they ensure a personalized approach that meets the unique developmental needs and learning styles of every student from Kinder 2 to Kinder 5.

Core subjects are led by English-speaking teachers who utilize a total immersion model to ensure our youngest learners develop natural fluency and academic confidence from the very start. Associate teachers provide essential support both inside and outside the classroom; they work closely with lead teachers to guide children through developmental milestones, offering the one-on-one guidance and extra attention needed for a child’s first steps in education. Through this collaborative approach, our staff works as a cohesive unit to ensure a nurturing experience and a seamless transition into the Elementary section.

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.

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. 

Key elements of our engaging environment are the colourful and cheery front garden as well as the large, well-equipped back garden. These spaces allow 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. 

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.