Early Learning | Swiss International Scientific School Dubai

EARLY YEARS CURRICULUM

Our play-based Early Years education, led by IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) specialists, nurtures curiosity and creativity while inspiring exploration and discovery. At our kindergarten school, we prioritise happiness and wellbeing, while developing our learners' formative social, thinking, communication, inquiry, and collaborative skills.

Our Pre-KG School in Dubai

At our international kindergarten, our youngest learners follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework. In a caring early learning environment where wellbeing comes first, our children enjoy a breadth of purposeful learning experiences that nurture their academic, cultural, social, emotional, and physical development.

The PYP’s inquiry-based approach engages our students in meaningful, play-based experiences that span the specialist subjects. Designed and continuously honed by our expert PYP Early Years educators, our holistic kindergarten curriculum develops a wide range of skills, knowledge, and understanding. We encourage our children to apply learning through meaningful contexts and real-world experiences, too. This creates an exciting and immersive educational experience that instils a lifetime love of discovery and exploration.

OUR LEARNING STREAMS

At Swiss International School Dubai, we offer three distinct early learning streams.

On our two bilingual streams, our Early Years students learn in either English and French or English and German. Each pathway emphasises the importance of learning through language rather than learning about a language. However, we know that immersive language instruction helps our children to develop the correct grammatical forms.

We also offer an IB STEAM stream. In this pathway, students learn in English, while also developing French and/or German as an additional language. This pathway places an increased emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths (STEAM), which are explored through the PYP’s thematic units of inquiry.

Our PYP Early Learning Subjects

In our kindergarten school, students develop their subject knowledge through transdisciplinary, play-based learning. Through play, our learners inquire, explore, and discover, both in and outside the classroom. In a typical week, our children engage in practical, purposeful activities that span the following subjects:

Language arts.
Maths.
Science.
Social studies.
Personal social education.
Physical education.
Creative arts.
Arabic.

AN INNOVATIVE co-teaching approach

Our two bilingual streams feature a pioneering co-teaching model. From KG1 onwards, our IB PYP Early Years children learn from two teachers, one who speaks in English and the other who speaks in either French or German (depending on the stream).

Both teachers share responsibility for pastoral care and the development of academic content. They also make sure that what’s being taught in one language complements the other. Our innovative approach ensures our students enjoy a balanced bilingual education, where both languages are prioritised.

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Early years

A TYPICAL DAY AT SISD

An SISD early learning education is truly holistic, carefully balancing academic excellence with exceptional opportunities for personal growth, wellbeing, and fun. Here, every student’s day is packed with innovative learning experiences, both in and beyond the classroom.

A love of language

From a young age, our children develop their communication and phonics skills in more than one language. Specialist lessons nurture formative French, German, and English abilities, as well as fostering curiosity and cultural awareness.

A LOVE OF LANGUAGE

Outdoor adventures

Our children run, jump, and climb in our colourful playgrounds, as they develop their balance, coordination, and gross motor skills. Our messy mud kitchen is also a big hit, giving our curious learners the chance to get hands-on.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Lunch with friends

Whether it’s a healthy packed lunch from home or a well-balanced three-course school meal, lunch is a time to come together with friends. After resting and refuelling, our students have fun in one of our three play areas.

LUNCH WITH FRIENDS

Taking a dip

A short walk down ‘STEAM alley’ leads our students to a dedicated Early Years swimming pool. Under the watchful eye of professional instructors, our children learn to swim and develop their confidence in the water.

TAKING A DIP

Music, rhyme, and story time

Inspired by our specialist music teachers, children play instruments and connect with rhythm and song. Our multilingual library offers a quiet retreat to enjoy a story before returning to class with a new book.

MUSIC, RHYME, AND STORY TIME

Discovering passions

It’s never too early to discover your passion! More than 70 after-school activities – from ballet and roller-skating to martial arts – introduce our children to new and exciting experiences.

DISCOVERING PASSIONS