Early Years Program
Nursery to Junior Kindergarten
Learning through play in a caring, enriching environment
Early childhood education goes well beyond the ABCs. The Early Years Program at CIS empowers children to explore, experiment and construct their own knowledge and understanding of the world around them. We know that young children learn differently than older children and adults. CIS teachers are committed to developmentally appropriate teaching practice, delivered in an inspiring, caring environment.
At CIS, we follow the early learning and care framework provided by the Ministry of Education of the province of Alberta, Canada. This is different from a traditional curriculum. Our curriculum framework focuses on broad holistic goals rather than specific outcomes for subject areas. Our teachers use the goals in the curriculum framework to describe and interpret children’s everyday experiences.
The curriculum framework at CIS is further inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. Both the curriculum framework and the Reggio Emilia Approach purport that curriculum content emerges from children’s fascination with the world. Teachers observe students’ interest in exploring nature, people, places, and objects as well as print, stories, numbers, shapes, and patterns. Teachers begin naming the connections between these experiences, the holistic goals in the curriculum framework and students' dispositions to learn. In doing so, teachers co-construct the curriculum with their students and make the curriculum visible to others. The co-constructed curriculum reflects students’ daily experiences with their families and in their local Phnom Penh community.
CIS has two campuses dedicated to students in our Early Years Program: Bassac Garden Campus and Olympia City Campus. Our purpose-built facilities were designed to maximize natural light and flexibility. Natural materials and custom-built furniture makes for comfortable, creative, child-sized spaces.
The new Donna Trafford Atelier at Bassac Garden Campus is a space where young children can work on projects, investigate and be creative with the support of teachers. Completed in 2024, the atelier (studio or ស្ទូឌីយោ) includes 13 unique learning spaces, gymnasium and outdoor eating space. The atelier expanded the footprint of Bassac Garden Campus, which already included multiple learning spaces, outdoor playground and shallow swimming pool.
When you visit us, you will always see students at play. Their play is purposeful, joyful and supported by teachers. At CIS, we know that play is essential for young children. When children are comfortable and having fun, they learn intensely and without hesitation. Our teachers facilitate play and provide sensory-rich environments to further advance the children’s thinking and learning. They introduce new vocabulary and concepts across multiple domains, from science to literacy to mathematics. Students have plenty of resources to work with. Teachers make sure to plan a variety of activities that all students can join. [substantive examples of what children learn from play–this section should be the most substantive… even better to link to blog posts on plants, city planning, birds
As children explore their learning spaces freely, they collaborate and communicate with their peers. Our teachers are always very happy to see this happening! Learning how to play with others and building friendships are very important aspects of the Early Years experience. Teachers explain behavioural expectations at school and support students in navigating rules and social norms that may be new to them.
All Early Years students at CIS settle into school life gradually. Students are able to see their parents interact with their child’s teacher and parents are able to ask questions. This provides a trust-based transition so that children and parents are not overwhelmed by the change.
Early Years teachers at CIS strive to build trusting relationships with families. We greatly respect parents and caregivers as their children’s first teachers. Teachers listen to families’ goals and concerns for their children. They are respectful of each family’s language and culture, and work with our full-time interpreters to communicate in Khmer and Mandarin as needed.
Teachers document each student’s progress with photographs, written notes and samples of their creations. Each child’s progress toward their learning goals is carefully tracked throughout the school year. All families receive regular updates regarding their child’s progress via Seesaw, an online platform used to document learning, and through regular, in-person parent-teacher meetings.
CIS provides a variety of specialist services, including speech language therapy and social-emotional counselling, for students who require them. We have health services staff on campus, as well as 24-hour security at all entrances. > maybe for page on health and safety
MESSAGE FROM THE SENIOR DIRECTOR, EARLY YEARS PROGRAM
I am excited to share with you the innovative play-based program we have implemented at CIS, inspired by the renowned Reggio Emilia approach. This educational philosophy emphasizes the importance of children as active participants in their own learning, fostering creativity, which requires a higher level of thinking than simply remembering information and facts.
In our program, we create an environment that sparks imagination and fosters creativity. Through hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and open-ended materials, we encourage our children to express their thoughts, ideas, and emotions. Our dedicated educators are here to guide and support each child's unique journey, helping them to make meaningful connections with the world around them.
We believe that investigative play is a vital part of learning. It nurtures problem-solving skills, social interactions, and emotional resilience. By allowing children to explore their interests and ask questions, we empower them to become active participants in their own education.
I invite you to visit our beautiful campuses and welcome you to join our Early Years Program and together we can foster a love of learning that will last a lifetime!
-Karen Holmes, Senior Director, Early Years Program