At ISA, we are passionate about Early Years education. Our aim is to foster a love of learning that will stay with the children throughout their education. We create learning environments where children feel secure and happy to investigate, explore and wonder. We believe that children learn best when they can make their own connections, so we plan the curriculum around their interests and help them to connect their learning to the wider world.

The school day begins at 8:30am and it end at 17:00pm from Monday to Thursday, and 8:30am to 16:00pm on Fridays. The period between 11:30am-14:00pm is for children in the kindergarten to have lunch and a break. The long school hours and provide a wide variety of regular classes and co-curriculum activities for students. Two more hours at school, compared to other international schools,guarantees the learning of Chinese and mother tongue language.

Curriculum

In the Early Years Program, our emphasis is on the Personal, Social and Emotional Development of the children, their physical development and Communication and Language. 

Language Programme 

The ISA Early Years providestrong English and Mother Tongue programs, so that students can speak bilingually and fluently. English is the main teaching language of the ISA Early Years curriculum. Even though all lessons are taught in English (except Chinese and Mother Tongue language), the Associate Teacher sometimes uses Chinese for complex ideas and concepts. We offer children opportunities to experience a rich English language environment to developtheir confidence and skills in expressing themselves, and to speak and listenin a range of situations. Children will also link sounds and letters and will begin to read and write in English.

In the Early Years, except for 3-4 hours of Chinese lessons for all students (EY1-EY3:3 hours; EY4: 4 hours) per week, students with a different “Mother Tongue” also have 3-4 hours of language tuition. Mother Tongue languages offered include Arabic, French, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. Students with a Chinese heritage can choose to do an extra 3-4 hours of Chinese or English lessons. 

Physical Development 

Early Years PE is implemented by the use of a carousel method. The carousel method enables pupils to access a variety of activities enhancing their capabilities across a whole range of skills. Pupils are allowed to challenge themselves and explore their own capabilities by moving from one activity to another. The activities within the carousel will primarily be multi-skill activities. Multi-skills enable the teacher to provide a wide range of non-sport specific games and activities which allow the pupils to develop their skills and attributes, which can then be applied to a range of sports.  

Music Development 

Music education greatly enhances students’ understanding and achievement innon-musical subjects. It will give students a way to connect with other people. Children are naturally very social, and it’s important toencourage them to build relationships by providing them experiences to share with each other. We firmly believe that music gives students theopportunity to develop time management skills and discipline.

At ISA, musical education begins in Early Years and continues every year, allowing students to develop an appreciation and love for music whilst honing their musical skills. Students develop musical skills and literacy through singing, movement and instrumental playing. A Kodály and Orff-centered approach from kindergarten through primary and middle school engage children in active music making, with their voices and musical instruments.

Library

Library is very important resource at ISA. There are over 9000 books in the library.Whilst most are in English, others are in Chinese, Italian, French, Spanish, Korean and Arabic and Japanese. The number of books is scheduled to reach15000. There are also 2000 books distributed to the classrooms for different purposes. Each class has one library lesson per week and the library isavailable for the students during lunch breaks or other free time. Students areencouraged to borrow books on a daily basis. Noted authors visit ISA todirectly engage with students and also encourage a love for literature.

Faculty

In the Early Year classes, maximum number is 20 students for each class and each classconsists of an overseas IB teacher as its classroom teacher, and a bilingual associate teacher. The Early Years are led by a Head of Early Years and a PYP coordinator. EY1 (two year olds) to EY4 (five year olds) classes are staffed with child-care workers who look after the younger students. Overseas music and P.E. teachers will also teach each of these classes. The whole faculty workstogether to create a high-quality educational plan and a comfortable learning atmosphere for all students. Our teachers and curriculum design could help students to achieve all the above goals. 

For More Information:

ISA International School of Guangzhou blends the best of UK Curriculum, PYP and Chinese + Mother Tongue Language Programs, creating a model of high quality educational and cultural fusion in China. Visitors are alwayswelcome. 

Address: Block C2-2 Redtory, Siheng Road No.128, Yuan Village, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510655

E-mail: admission@isaschool.org

Phone number: 020-88900909