Early Years

The earliest years of life are important in their own right.Children should be supported to learn and develop at their own unique pace.

IEYC - International Early Years Curriculum

At JFK Play School our activities are planned around the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) which has been specially designed to meet the developmental needs of children. It supports key areas of learning through age-appropriate, play-based activities. The IEYC believes that: “learning happens when teacher-scaffolded and child initiated experiences are harnessed by children’s natural curiosity”.

Learning Principles

The IEYC is designed around eight learning principles, that we consider essential to children’s learning and development.

The earliest years of life are important in their own right.Children should be supported to learn and develop at their own unique pace.Play is an essential aspect of all children’s learning and development.Learning happens when developmentally-appropriate, teacher-scaffolded and child initiated experiences harness children’s natural curiosity in an enabling environment.Independent and interdependent learning experiences create a context for personal development and are the foundation of international mindedness.Knowledge and skills development lead to an increasing sense of understanding when children are provided with opportunities to explore and express their ideas in multiple ways.Ongoing assessment, in the form of evaluation and reflection, is effective when it involves a learning-link with the home.Learning should be motivating, engaging and fun, opening up a world of wonder for children where personal interests can flourish.

Once children move into the Reception class, the main purpose is to provide children with an opportunity to learn and practice essential social, emotional, problem solving and study skills that they will use throughout their schooling.
The development of self-esteem is one of the important goals of the Reception class. This is the process of helping children feel good about who they are and confident in their ability to tackle the challenges of learning.

Reception class teaches cooperation: the ability to work, learn and get along with others. A year in Reception provides  children with the opportunity to learn patience as well as the ability to take turns, share and listen to others- all social and emotional learning skills that they will use throughout their school years and beyond.

Most children are naturally curious. The Enrichment Program which includes ‘ Forest School’ and ‘Outdoor Learning’ is a platform for sparking and directing children curiosity and natural love of learning.

Here at JFK, we look forward to welcoming your child to the Reception Class!

Learning Strands

The IEYC is built around four Learning Strands that underpin all learning and development:

  1. Independence and interdependence
  2. Communicating
  3. Enquiring
  4. Healthy living and physical wellbeing

Each unit of learning links all four of these Learning Strands to relevant and engaging activities that can be adapted and extended to meet individual needs.

IEYC pictogram