Early Childhood
Fundamental skills and whole child development.
At YCIS, our early childhood programme is all about immersing our students in a supporting, bilingual learning environment where our teachers work together with parents to develop confident, caring and curious young learners. The focus in these early years is on whole-child development, building the character foundations, personal and social values that will support students for life.
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) programme at Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS Shanghai) provides a nurturing environment for children aged two to five.
Our international curriculum allows children to discover the joy of learning through a balance of play and structured activities. This nurtures each child's growth and fosters their social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and creative development.
Children are at the heart of the ECE programme, and it is the needs of the children that determine the learning, and their interests that steer the learning experiences we offer.
For us, it is most important that children see themselves as competent learners and know they are valued and understood.
Bilingual Learning Environment
The unique Co-Teaching model at YCIS Shanghai effectively facilitates our bilingual learning environment in which both Chinese and English languages are equally valued. Each class has an experienced, qualified Early Years team, comprising one native English-speaking and one native Chinese-speaking teacher who provide the children with an immersive, bilingual experience.
Additional Benefits of Our Co-Teaching Model
The Co-Teachers in our ECE programme provide the children with an enabling environment where they are able to:
- Interact naturally with their teachers and classmates
- Feel comfortable about their own identity, language, and culture
- Begin to move easily between cultures
Such an experience contributes positively toward a child's future ability in school, and later, toward their success in an increasingly globalised world.
A Valued Partnership
At YCIS Shanghai, we appreciate the great responsibility we have for our children and families. We value the strong partnership with our parents and encourage their involvement in their child's learning journey.
The Kindergarten Two's (K2) programme at YCIS Shanghai provides a nurturing environment for children aged two to three. Our families have the option of either a half day or whole day learning programme, five days a week.
Co-Teachers and Small Class Sizes
The young children in our K2 classes experience the joy of learning with the support of two experienced and qualified Early Years Co-Teachers and one full-time classroom assistant. The Co-Teachers, one International and one Chinese, plan together for the learning needs of each individual child.
With a maximum teacher-to-student ratio of 1:8, each student in K2 receives individualised care and attention. This helps every child develop to their full potential.
The Co-Teachers share roles and responsibilities in terms of resource preparation and planning, and working with all of the children in the class. It is important to us to always listen to each child's voice and meet their needs and interests in a cohesive and purposeful way.
Learning through Play
In K2, we utilise the "Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage" curriculum framework from the United Kingdom to guide our planning and practise and to consistently reflect on the achievements and goals for the children in our classes. Learning through play is a key part of this experience. Exploring, active engagement, and creating are of high importance in our play-based curriculum. The children's development is visible through their Learning Portfolios and our class blogs.
We provide open-ended resources and materials to engage children in a wide variety of activities and play experiences. These experiences contribute to their skills and knowledge across all developmental areas and provide a solid foundation for their future learning as they move up to our K3 programme.
A Truly Bilingual Experience
Children in our K2 programme are completely immersed in a fully bilingual learning environment, where their English and Chinese language skills are developed equally.
Our Co-Teaching model brings together Eastern and Western cultures in a very practical and engaging way in all day-to-day activities. The use and understanding of both languages is equally respected and evolves in each learning situation through play, routines, group learning, and conversation. Sometimes the children will be engaged in English, sometimes Chinese, and other times in both!
In this setting, the children develop confidence in their verbal skills and become comfortable moving between cultures.
Developing Other Essential Skills
Our Co-Teachers encourage the children's healthy social skills development by focusing on key interactions, such as waiting, taking turns, and sharing. They talk with the children about these topics and model these skills for the children through their own interactions.
Children feel competent when they have had opportunities to practise new skills through meaningful activities. They are offered appropriate choices throughout the day, which encourages their decision-making skills as they explore freely.
A Warm Environment
Our K2 classrooms are filled with fun and are always buzzing with activity. The teachers read frequently to children individually and in small groups, and incorporate dynamic movement, dance, and music into lessons. Whether they are outside playing in the sandbox or they are inside working together on a project, our youngest learners gain a solid foundation for their schooling ahead. For more information about the K2 Programme, please contact our Admissions team here.
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The Kindergarten Two's (K2) programme at YCIS Shanghai provides a nurturing environment for children aged two to three. Our families have the option of either a half day or whole day learning programme, five days a week.
Co-Teachers and Small Class Sizes
The young children in our K2 classes experience the joy of learning with the support of two experienced and qualified Early Years Co-Teachers and one full-time classroom assistant. The Co-Teachers, one International and one Chinese, plan together for the learning needs of each individual child.
With a maximum teacher-to-student ratio of 1:8, each student in K2 receives individualised care and attention. This helps every child develop to their full potential.
The Co-Teachers share roles and responsibilities in terms of resource preparation and planning, and working with all of the children in the class. It is important to us to always listen to each child's voice and meet their needs and interests in a cohesive and purposeful way.
Learning through Play
In K2, we utilise the "Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage" curriculum framework from the United Kingdom to guide our planning and practise and to consistently reflect on the achievements and goals for the children in our classes. Learning through play is a key part of this experience. Exploring, active engagement, and creating are of high importance in our play-based curriculum. The children's development is visible through their Learning Portfolios and our class blogs.
We provide open-ended resources and materials to engage children in a wide variety of activities and play experiences. These experiences contribute to their skills and knowledge across all developmental areas and provide a solid foundation for their future learning as they move up to our K3 programme.
A Truly Bilingual Experience
Children in our K2 programme are completely immersed in a fully bilingual learning environment, where their English and Chinese language skills are developed equally.
Our Co-Teaching model brings together Eastern and Western cultures in a very practical and engaging way in all day-to-day activities. The use and understanding of both languages is equally respected and evolves in each learning situation through play, routines, group learning, and conversation. Sometimes the children will be engaged in English, sometimes Chinese, and other times in both!
In this setting, the children develop confidence in their verbal skills and become comfortable moving between cultures.
Developing Other Essential Skills
Our Co-Teachers encourage the children's healthy social skills development by focusing on key interactions, such as waiting, taking turns, and sharing. They talk with the children about these topics and model these skills for the children through their own interactions.
Children feel competent when they have had opportunities to practise new skills through meaningful activities. They are offered appropriate choices throughout the day, which encourages their decision-making skills as they explore freely.
A Warm Environment
Our K2 classrooms are filled with fun and are always buzzing with activity. The teachers read frequently to children individually and in small groups, and incorporate dynamic movement, dance, and music into lessons. Whether they are outside playing in the sandbox or they are inside working together on a project, our youngest learners gain a solid foundation for their schooling ahead. For more information about the K2 Programme, please contact our Admissions team here.
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The YCIS Shanghai Kindergarten Three's and Four's (K3 & K4) is our whole day programme, offered five days a week for preschool children aged three to five.
Our Unique Co-Teaching Model
The children in our K3 and K4 classes benefit from an optimal bilingual learning environment through the support of two experienced Early Years Co-Teachers and one full-time classroom assistant. The Co-Teachers, one International and one Chinese, work as a team as they focus on the learning needs of each individual child.
With a maximum teacher-to-student ratio of 1:11 in K3 and 1:12 in K4, each student receives personalised care and attention. As a result, each child has the support they need to develop to their full potential.
The Co-Teachers share responsibilities in terms of resource preparation and planning, and working with all of the children in the class. With this high level of care, every child's voice is heard, and the teachers are able to meet their needs and interests in a collaborative and meaningful way.
Learning through Play
In K3 and K4, the "Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage" curriculum framework from the United Kingdom guides our planning and practise and allows the teachers to consistently reflect on the achievements and goals for the children in their classes. Learning through play is an essential part of this experience. Exploring, active engagement, and creating are of high importance in our play-based curriculum. The children's development is visible through their Learning Portfolios and our class blogs.
The Co-Teachers provide open-ended resources and materials to engage the children in a wide variety of activities and play experiences. These experiences contribute to their skills and knowledge across all developmental areas and provide a solid foundation for their future learning as they move to our Primary programme.
A Truly Bilingual Experience
Children in our K3 and K4 programme are completely immersed in a fully bilingual learning environment, where their English and Chinese language skills are developed equally.
Both Co-Teachers use their respective native language, English or Chinese, to engage with the children during their play, helping them develop a solid foundation in both languages. This also brings Eastern and Western cultures together in a very practical and meaningful way in day-to-day classroom activities. The use and understanding of both languages is equally respected and evolves in each learning situation through play, routines, group learning, and conversation. Sometimes the children will speak in English, sometimes Chinese, and other times in both!
This benefits the children developmentally as it facilitates their independence and self-discovery, develops their confidence in their verbal skills, and helps them become comfortable in moving between cultures.
Developing Essential Social Skills
The most important learning that occurs in our preschool years (K3 and K4) programme is facilitating children's social and emotional development. The ability to understand and control one's own emotions, to develop meaningful relationships, to persist in the face of challenges, and to comprehend social expectations are all supported by our sensitive and skilled Early Years Co-Teachers.
Physical, Creative, and Musical Exploration
Our Co-Teachers and their classrooms allow for an abundance of opportunities daily for children to grow and explore. Children are provided with extended periods of play in order to follow their own interests and curiosities in a safe school setting. The learning environments that our classrooms provide are intentionally prepared to develop knowledge and respond to children's own interests as they enquire about the world in which they live. Children in the Kindergarten programme at YCIS participate in the creative process of art, music, and dance, and build their own constructions, designs, and movements expressing their individual, creative, and intellectual thoughts.
A Caring Environment
Our K3 and K4 classrooms are filled with fun and are always alive with activity. Whether the children are listening to one of their Co-Teachers read a story or they are playing with their friends, each child feels safe, respected, and valued.
We offer routines that are purposefully consistent and reassuring. This sense of familiarity, belonging, and safety within our learning space offers important connections for children as they engage with their teachers and classmates and enjoy the learning experiences in their meaningful play.
Snapshot of a School Day in Three’s & Four’s
8am
Arrive at school and self-management routine. Children arrive and are greeted by their VP’s and Co-Teachers. Then go through our nurse health check and temperature check and accompany by their Co-Teachers, they gain independence and responsibility as they store their belongings and put on their in-class shoes.
8.15am
Exploratory Time with Emergent Learning of Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Art, Music, Construction activity and more…
10am
Children enjoy their morning snack provided by the school
Self-management Routine (Tidy up, transition to next activity etc.)
Children continue with the range of exploration activities and can visit the outdoor play area.
Library Visit Once Per Week: choose and borrow books
Outdoor Physical Activities
Children develop teamwork skills as well as language skills in both English and Chinese as they work with their Co-Teachers.11.30am
Children have a healthy lunch in the classroom.
12.30pm
Children have a rest or quiet play time.
Building a Bright Future for Humanity
Yew Chung International School of Shanghai
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