Programmes

Fun & Creativity

International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC)

This curriculum uses international best practices, holistic enquiry and play-based approaches that cover all areas of the curriculum including personal, social and emotional development.

The IEYC units of learning have been developed to support the ways in which children learn best in Early Years through an integrated approach. The learning in each unit is planned to enable children to explore new experiences in exciting and memorable ways. They engage in activities that arouse their curiosity, with learning experiences personalised to them, allowing development at their own unique pace. The end of each unit provides opportunities for children to reflect, share and celebrate what they have learnt.

Assessment is based on observation of the children and is going throughout the year. Each child has their own online learning journal which us a record of what they have learned through the IEYC and their own initiated learning.

Literacy

The literacy programme is a play-based, multi-sensory approach to learning language and communication. In conjunction with the IEYC, language learning is supported by two very strong phonics programmes, Letters and Sounds in Play Group and Pre-Nursery and Jolly Phonics in Nursery and Kindergarten

The Letters and Sounds programme is for children to experience regular, planned opportunities to listen carefully and talk extensively about what they hear, see and do in order to help children gain phonological awareness and the skills of oral blending and segmenting.

Jolly Phonics is based on the proven, fun and multi-sensory synthetic phonics method that gets children reading and writing from an early age. Children are taught letter 42 sounds used to decode the English language. Children use these sounds and the skills of blending and segmenting to begin reading and writing fluently.

‘Jolly Phonics is a UK based, fun, multi-sensory way to learn reading and writing.’

Numeracy

The Numicon programme forms the foundation of Numeracy in Early Years @ Healthy Planet. A comprehensive, multi-sensory approach to mathematical learning created by Oxford University Press, UK, Numicon facilitates children's understanding and enjoyment of Mathematics by using structured imagery that plays to children's strong sense of pattern. Through active investigation with problem-solving at its heart and supported by structured apparatus, children reason and communicate mathematically with confidence.

Integrating Mathematics into physical play, dramatic play, messy play, sand play, circle time, transitions, art and music help children strengthen their understanding of numbers, shapes and quantities.

‘Numicon builds deep understanding and engagement in numeracy from an early age.’

Physical Development and Fitness

‘A healthy mind resides in a healthy body.’

Healthy Planet has a daily programme for physical development and fitness for children. Children enjoy running and jumping and playing to learn learn skills of motor coordination, balance, body control etc. They also need to learn eye-hand coordination and finger movements since these skills help in holding a pencil appropriately and improving writing.

Children also try various exercise forms such as basic pilates, yoga, simple breathing activities to ensure that they are receiving the requisite exercise needed for them

Play

‘Play is essential to development as it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children.’

Free Play and Structured/Guided Play are incorporated into the Healthy Planet curriculum and are integral to the children’s daily routine. Play encourages cognitive development and a child’s ability to solve problems and think critically, supports physical development, enhances language and understanding of cultures and helps build cooperative and collaborative skills.

Children therefore have access to several outdoor and indoor play areas, equipped differently to stimulate all aspects of learning and development.

International Mindedness

The foundations of International Mindedness begin in Early Years, where children begin to explore and understand the world around them, developing a curiosity and interest in it. They begin to understand multiple perspectives, including comparisons with other locations and engage with issues including health, wellbeing and the environment. This in turn supports the development of personal skills and responsibilities to become global citizens.

As the children engage with the theme-based learning units of the IEYC, they explore local settings and environments as well as exploring other countries and environments around the world.