Early Childhood
Fundamental skills and whole-child development.
At YCIS, our early childhood programme engages our students in a supportive, bilingual learning environment where our teachers work closely with parents to develop confident, caring and curious young learners. The focus in these early years is on developing the whole child, building character, and instilling 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 social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and creative development.
Children are at the heart of the ECE programme: their needs determine the teaching content and their interests steer the learning experiences we offer.
For us, it is essential that children see themselves as competent learners and know that 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, to 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 can:
- Interact naturally with their teachers and classmates;
- Feel comfortable about their own identity, language, and culture;
- And begin to move quickly between cultures.
Such an experience contributes positively toward a child's future ability in school and later success in an increasingly globalised world.
A Valued Partnership
At YCIS Shanghai, we value our responsibility to 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 Western 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 his or her full potential.
The Co-Teachers share roles and responsibilities regarding resource preparation and planning, and working with all of the children in the class. Each child's voice must be heard and we strive to meet their needs and interests cohesively and purposefully.
Learning through Play
In K2, we utilise the "Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage" curriculum framework from the UK to guide our planning and practice and to consistently reflect on the achievements and goals of the children in our classes. Learning through play is a vital part of this experience. Exploring, actively engaging, and creating are highly important 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 various 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 equally developed.
Our Co-Teaching model combines Eastern and Western cultures in an efficient and engaging way in all day-to-day activities. The use and understanding of both languages are equally respected and evolve in each learning situation through play, routines, group learning, and conversation. In some instances, the children will be engaged in English, occasionally 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 personal, social and emotional development by focusing on fundamental interactions, such as waiting, taking turns, and sharing. They speak to the children on these topics and model these skills for them through their interactions.
Children feel competent when they have had opportunities to practise new skills through meaningful activities. They are offered appropriate choices throughout the day, honing 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, incorporating dynamic movement, dance, and music into lessons. Whether playing outside in the sandbox or working together on a project, our youngest learners gain a solid foundation for their schooling. 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 Western 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 his or her full potential.
The Co-Teachers share roles and responsibilities regarding resource preparation and planning, and working with all of the children in the class. Each child's voice must be heard and we strive to meet their needs and interests cohesively and purposefully.
Learning through Play
In K2, we utilise the "Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage" curriculum framework from the UK to guide our planning and practice and to consistently reflect on the achievements and goals of the children in our classes. Learning through play is a vital part of this experience. Exploring, actively engaging, and creating are highly important 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 various 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 equally developed.
Our Co-Teaching model combines Eastern and Western cultures in an efficient and engaging way in all day-to-day activities. The use and understanding of both languages are equally respected and evolve in each learning situation through play, routines, group learning, and conversation. In some instances, the children will be engaged in English, occasionally 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 personal, social and emotional development by focusing on fundamental interactions, such as waiting, taking turns, and sharing. They speak to the children on these topics and model these skills for them through their interactions.
Children feel competent when they have had opportunities to practise new skills through meaningful activities. They are offered appropriate choices throughout the day, honing 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, incorporating dynamic movement, dance, and music into lessons. Whether playing outside in the sandbox or working together on a project, our youngest learners gain a solid foundation for their schooling. For more information about the K2 Programme, please contact our Admissions team here.
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The YCIS Shanghai Kindergarten Threes and Fours (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 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 regarding resources preparation, planning and execution 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 can 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 UK guides our planning and practice and allows the teachers to consistently reflect on the achievements and goals of the children in their classes. Learning through play is an essential part of this experience. Exploring, actively engaging, and creating are highly important 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 various 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 languages, 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, practically and meaningfully, in day-to-day classroom activities. The use and understanding of both languages are equally respected and evolve in each learning situation through play, routines, group learning, and conversation. In some instances, the children will speak in English, occasionally in 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 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; develop meaningful relationships; persist in the face of challenges, and 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 many opportunities daily for children to grow and explore. Children are provided with extended independent play periods to follow their interests and curiosities in a safe school setting. Our classrooms' learning environments are intentionally prepared to stimulate learning and nurture children's interests as they explore 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 constructions, designs, and movements expressing their individual, creative, and intellectual thoughts.
A Caring Environment
Our K3 and K4 classrooms are fun and always alive with activity. Whether the children are listening to one of their Co-teachers read a story or 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 space allow children to establish meaningful connections with their teachers and classmates, and experience joy when learning and playing.
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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