Early Years New English School

NES places special attention to this age group of two to seven years old. We are entrusted with their eager minds and energetic bodies and challenged to create an attractive learning environment that will answer for their academic, social and physical development.
In FS1 and FS2, we have adopted the English National Curriculum but incorporated the framework of the Cambridge Curriculum, which we follow in Years 1 and 2 with English being the language of instruction. This broad and balanced programme ensures that students study the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Arabic, Science, Music, Drama, Art, Religion, ICT, and Physical Education. We endeavour to teach our children how to communicate confidently and effectively to enable them to develop the critical skills needed in their future schooling. Our classrooms are safe, comfortable and conducive to an enjoyable and happy learning environment. They are also equipped with cameras to allow parents to monitor their children during school hours. Starting this year 2019, the Finnish approach to education has been introduced and endorsed into the Early Years programme. This globally successful system will give more space – indoors and outdoors – for children to move, play and learn as they are enjoying their time.

The Early Years: Curriculum and Approach

Introduction:

The Early Years department comprises the following:
 

• Nursery
• Foundation Stages: FS1 and FS2
• Key Stage 1: Year 1 and Year 2

EY constitutes the most fundamental stage in the educational journey. Focusing on reading, writing and arithmetic is basic to our programme; building character, polishing attitudes and developing a love for learning are very much in the balance. These qualities are honed through study and play and through teamwork and individualized attention. The parents have an equally important role in developing these social skills.

Childhood Education

The first five years of a child’s life provide the most crucial stage of learning in terms of their physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. This is the time when the child’s brain acts like a sponge absorbing all that is around. As such, children need to be exposed to new learning experiences daily.
The teaching of basic skills is taken very seriously. Time and effort are spent to ensure that all students receive encouragement to do their best.
Children are able to learn better when they feel safe and are comfortable. Our priority remains to provide such an environment.

The Curriculum

The EY curriculum aims at creating a caring, happy and stimulating atmosphere that helps nurture in each child a feeling of well-being and enthusiasm for learning. Accordingly, our main goal is to promote a positive attitude towards school life and learning which are the foundation of future studies.
At EY, we follow a bilingual programme in accordance with the Cambridge Curriculum. The main language of instruction is English; however, students take Arabic classes as mastering languages play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children.
Although English is the medium language of teaching and instruction along with being the shared language on campus, NES ensures that Arabic lessons are being embedded as it is essential to provide students with a broad, balanced and relevant coursework.
Through its curriculum, EY fosters a culture of excellence and team spirit where children are being taught how to communicate confidently and effectively, are being encouraged to develop essential skills and are being motivated to respond to a wide range of information and situations.
Self-discipline is of paramount importance. At such a young age, a child can be taught good manners, civil behaviour, selflessness and respect to others. These are best demonstrated in teamwork and in the teacher’s role-modelling.

Facilities

EY prides itself in the enjoyable atmosphere it has created around the learning process. With ample space for children to move around, colour and furniture that please the eye and relax the mind, EY classrooms have become a fun adventure. Our resources include educational toys and games, technology and gadgetry, and a library of supporting books to satisfy our kids' various tastes and quench their evergrowing curiosity.
The outdoors form an integral part of the education process. Here children are given the opportunity to explore and discover, to make connections with nature, and to relate the lesson to real life. This leads our students towards self-discovery through interactive learning as they incorporate physical activity with mental stimulation.
The Finnish Education System
FES is being introduced into the EY programme. This is not a replacement to the British Curriculum but rather complementary to it. The framework of the Finnish curriculum for the Early Years consists of four broad thrusts:
 

• Teaching skills to children on how to obtain knowledge rather than teaching them content.
• Emphasising on developing skills that cross over multiple subjects – mathematics, art, ICT, languages, nature, etc.
• Utilizing assessments  to pinpoint areas where children lack understanding, not to differentiate performance between them.
• Offering an individualized feedback to students to close gaps in understanding.
• Striving to build a cooperative – rather than competitive - learning environment among children.

NES Values

The mission of NES is to promote excellence, team spirit and a culture of lifelong learning. We strive to have each student reach his/her full potential. We do this by encouragement and support, by offering a solid educational programme, and above all, as teachers and leaders, by being inspirational.
This philosophy is embedded in the Early Years.