Early Years Centre (EYC) – Preschool
A warm welcome to our Early Years Centre.
At EYC preschool, we believe in providing a happy, secure and enriched learning environment for children aged 3-5 (Nursery & Reception). We believe that by ensuring our children feel valued and safe, and by offering an array of opportunities to build their self confidence and develop key learners skills, we can pave the way for them to flourish throughout both our Primary and Secondary schools.
About EYC
Our learning environments, both inside and outside of our preschool, are well-resourced and offer a wide range of multi-sensory learning opportunities that are linked to the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum. Our team of dedicated, highly-qualified and experienced staff actively promote positive relationships and support children in developing effective communication skills. We balance play-based learning with the teaching of fundamental literacy and numeracy skills, Mandarin learning, PE and music lessons and social and emotional skill development.
Something special we offer at EYC is our Jungle School programme. Unique to Malaysia, this is a hands-on programme based on the ‘Forest School’ approach in Europe. At Jungle School, our EYC children are able to learn, explore and grow safely, in our beautiful natural environment. You can learn more about our EYC Jungle School Programme.
Throughout their time at EYC, our young learners have opportunities to follow their interests and take ownership over their learning. This is encouraged through first-hand experiences that create a sense of awe and wonder for children, inspiring them to learn more about the world around them.
See for yourself: take a virtual tour of our purpose-built Early Years Centre (EYC) here.
Key Staff
Our key members of our EYC team look forward to welcome you and your family:
Nicola Nelson
Head of Primary and EYC
BA (Hons), PGCE, NPQH (UK)
Early Years Leader
BA (Hons), QTS (UK)
Assistant Head of Primary, Early Years
BEd (Hons), (South Africa)
Deputy Head of Primary, Early Years and Key Stage 1
BSc (Hons), PGCE (UK)
GIS Playgroups
The GIS Playgroups are informal sessions where caregivers and their children can meet in a relaxed and friendly environment that allows adults to interact, while they play with and support their children. This gives children an opportunity to have fun, make new friends and develop new skills through informal play.
Building Community
Creating an environment for families with young infants to socialise and make new friends in a safe and nurturing environment, and extending those friendships into the wide community
Learning Through Play
Using fun, age-appropriate content involving singing, movement, and arts & crafts to develop children’s physical, socio-emotional, and communication skills.
Making Connections
Helping parents and care-givers to make the connections between home and school from an early age by giving them the opportunity to learn ways they can support and nurture their child’s development together.
Transitioning To GIS
Creating a positive link and a natural stepping stone for families to transition into Garden EYC nursery school.
Upcoming sessions
| Date | Session I | Session II | Topic |
| Saturday, 24th April | 8:45 – 9:45
Baby Dragons (15 slots) 3 – 18 months |
10:15 – 11:15
Athena Owlets (15 slots) 18 months -3 years old |
Each sessions is planned around a theme and consists of the following elements*:
|
| Saturday, 8th May | |||
| Saturday, 22nd May | |||
| Saturday, 29th May | |||
| Saturday, 12th June
|
Scroll left right to view the table
*The focus is on guiding caregivers on how they can support their child’s development through structured play.
EYC will support a smooth transition into Pre-Nursery for Athena owlets in the term they turn 3 years old.
THE FOUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Our curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) from the UK, which is built on four guiding principles.
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A Unique Child
The recognition that every child is unique; who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self assured.
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Positive Relationships
Values the importance of children being able to build positive relationships in order to learn to be strong and independent.
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Enabling Environments
The environment is pivotal in supporting and extending each child’s learning experience.
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Learning and Development
Children learn and develop in different ways.
THE LEARNING AREAS
The EYFS guidance fosters the principle that the ways in which our children respond to their environment and the adults around them are developed through these characteristics of effective learning:
- Playing and exploring
- Active learning
- Creating and thinking critically
These characteristics of effective learning are interconnected with the Prime and Specific Areas of Learning and Development. The Prime Areas are the foundation and support learning in other areas:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
The Specific Areas grow out from the Prime Areas and include essential skills and knowledge:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive Arts and Design
MAKING LEARNING FUN
Throughout their time at EYC, our young learners have opportunities to develop the characteristics of effective learning through play. Careful planning encourages our learners to take risks, explore and imagine in order to deepen their understanding and to make links in their learning.
Our team of dedicated staff actively promote positive relationships and support children in developing effective communication skills. They learn alongside your child, using EYFS Development Matters as a tool to extend and drive each child’s learning and development. Each class at EYC has a maximum of 20 children and these classes are supported by a class teacher and either one or two assistant teachers, depending on the age of the children. Mandarin is also actively encouraged by our specialist teachers who work across all classes.
We recognise the importance of developing strong partnerships with parents to support the learning in school. The GIS’ Mother
Toddler Playgroup links EYC with our local community. This group enables parents and carers to come together both at EYC and in the wider community to support very young children beginning to form positive relationships, as well as give families an opportunity to make links and share common experiences.
Dedicated building for Early Years
Our purpose-built Early Years Centre (EYC) is located a 5-minute drive away from the main school campus. It is a small school in its own right; providing a happy, secure, enriched environment in which children feel valued and have the confidence to become lifelong learners. Our learning environments both inside and out are well-resourced, offering a range of multi-sensory learning opportunities. Facilities include a multipurpose hall, music room, library, soft play room, indoor and outdoor playgrounds and a multipurpose room. If you can’t visit us just yet, check out our virtual tour here.
Next Steps
At GIS, we bring out the best in everyone, both inside and outside of the classroom through our unique learning culture where we pursue our passions and strive for excellence; all in the spirit of respect, integrity and well being. Speak with us today to start your learning journey with GIS.
Tel:+603 6209 6888
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