At the International School of Béarn our pre-school curriculum is based on the English Early Years foundation Stage curriculum (EYFS).
We firmly believe all children deserve the care and support they need to have the best start in life. Children learn and develop at a faster rate from birth to five years old than at any other time in their lives, so their experiences in early years have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe, and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high-quality early learning provide the foundation children need to fulfil their potential. The EYFS is about what children learn, as well as how they learn and includes a mix of different approaches. At our school, children learn through play, by observing each other and through adult modelling.
As set out in the EYFS framework, four guiding principles shape our practise in the Early Years and Reception settings. These are:
- Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident, and self-assured.
- Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
- Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.
- Importance of learning and development. We understand and respect that children develop and learn at different rates and we strive to support and extend our pupils learning as necessary.