At Bromsgrove International School Cambodia (BISC), we provide a nurturing and secure environment for our Early Years learners, recognising that the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is pivotal in laying the groundwork for a child’s educational journey. In alignment with the EYFS framework, we meticulously design our curriculum to be engaging, comprehensive, and rigorous, ensuring that each child achieves the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) across the seven areas of learning and development.

Pre-Nursery Class – aged 2 – 3 (maximum class size of 10)
Nursery Class – aged 3 – 4 (maximum class size of 14)
Reception Class – aged 4 – 5 (maximum class size of 18)
Year 1 – aged 5-6 (maximum class size 20)

Incorporating Montessori Principles in Pre-Nursery and Nursery

In our Pre-Nursery and Nursery classes, we integrate key aspects of the Montessori approach, particularly focusing on Practical Life and Sensorial activities. Practical Life exercises involve real-life tasks that develop fine motor skills, coordination, and independence. Activities such as pouring, spooning, and dressing frames enable children to care for themselves and their environment, fostering a sense of responsibility and self-reliance.

Sensorial activities are designed to refine the five senses, enhancing children’s perceptual abilities and cognitive development. Materials like the Pink Tower, Brown Stairs, and Colour Tablets help children learn to differentiate dimensions, shapes, and colours, laying a solid foundation for mathematical and language concepts.

By incorporating these Montessori principles, we prime our young learners to become independent, confident, and inquisitive, effectively preparing them for the transition to Reception classes and beyond.

Creating a Welcoming and Safe Environment

We understand the importance of a stimulating and secure setting where children feel valued and confident to explore. Our classrooms are thoughtfully arranged to promote both child-initiated and adult-led activities, fostering independence and collaborative learning. Safety is paramount; therefore, we adhere strictly to welfare requirements, conducting regular risk assessments and maintaining high standards of health and safety to ensure a conducive learning environment.

Engaging and Comprehensive Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to captivate young minds, incorporating play-based learning that encourages curiosity and discovery. We integrate the three prime areas—Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social, and Emotional Development—with the four specific areas—Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design—to provide a holistic educational experience. This approach ensures that children develop a broad range of skills and knowledge, preparing them for the next stage of their education.

To further support early reading development, we have embedded a Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) programme into our curriculum. This structured approach teaches children the relationships between letters and sounds, enabling them to decode words effectively and become confident readers. By introducing SSP early on, we lay a solid foundation for literacy, ensuring our pupils are well-prepared for the challenges of reading and writing.

Rigorous Outcomes and Assessment

We are dedicated to achieving high-quality educational outcomes by setting clear, attainable objectives aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Early Learning Goals. Our teachers conduct ongoing observational assessments to monitor each child’s progress, enabling personalised learning experiences tailored to individual needs and promoting continuous development. We provide regular feedback to parents and carers, fostering a collaborative approach to each child’s learning journey.

To support this process, we also utilise an “EYFS Characteristics of Effective Learning Termly Tracking Sheet”, a document used in early years settings to record and monitor a child’s progress across the three key characteristics of effective learning within the EYFS:

• Playing and Exploring: Children investigate and experience things and ‘have a go’.
• Active Learning: Children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy achievements.
• Creating and Thinking Critically: Children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.

This tracking sheet is typically updated each term to assess development over time and inform future learning plans. By systematically observing and recording these characteristics, we ensure that each child’s unique learning style is recognised and supported, facilitating effective teaching strategies that cater to their individual growth and development.

Professional Development and Best Practices

Our educators are highly qualified and engage in continuous professional development to stay abreast of the latest research and best practices in Early Years education. We are committed to reflective practice, regularly evaluating and enhancing our teaching strategies to ensure they meet the diverse needs of our learners. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we strive to provide an exceptional Early Years experience that sets the foundation for lifelong learning.

We recognise the critical importance of the Early Years in shaping a child’s future educational success. By creating a welcoming and safe environment, offering an engaging and comprehensive curriculum, ensuring rigorous outcomes through effective assessment, and committing to professional excellence, we aim to provide the highest standards of Early Years education in Cambodia.

Year 1 – Children Aged 5 – 6 (Maximum Class Size: 20)

After the Early Years programme, children transition into Lower Primary between the ages of 5 and 6 years old (see our age entry chart for detailed guidance) and embark on their educational journey following the New English National Curriculum.

This stage introduces a carefully crafted thematic approach to learning, which integrates subjects through engaging and meaningful themes. By weaving different disciplines into a central theme, this method captivates children’s interest, fostering curiosity and excitement while enabling the development of essential skills in real-world, practical contexts.

At this stage, children also begin their journey toward becoming trilingual, with focused instruction in English, Khmer language, and Chinese. This approach fosters not only linguistic fluency but also cultural understanding and adaptability, preparing children to thrive in a globalised world.

The Year 1 curriculum includes a comprehensive range of subjects, ensuring a well-rounded education:

• English: Building strong literacy skills through the development of phonics, reading, comprehension, writing, speaking, and active listening.
• Mathematics: Building strong numeracy skills through exploration, reasoning, and problem-solving.
• Science: Encouraging curiosity about the natural world through hands-on experiments and inquiry-based learning.
• Computing/ICT: Introducing essential digital literacy skills, including the use of basic software applications and an introduction to programming concepts.
• Art and Design Technology: Inspiring creativity and nurturing innovative thinking through hands-on projects, exploration of various artistic techniques, and the use of diverse materials. Children are encouraged to express themselves while developing skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, and design, fostering confidence and originality.
• Music: Inspiring creativity and self-expression through singing, rhythm, and instrumental exploration.
• Social Studies
  • Humanities: Exploring history and geography to cultivate a deeper understanding of the world, its cultures, environments, and historical events. Through storytelling, research, and map skills, children develop critical thinking and a sense of connection to global and local communities.
  • PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education): Focusing on personal well-being, social development, health education, and economic understanding to nurture emotional intelligence, social skills, and responsible citizenship.
• Sport and Physical Education: Our programme integrates practical physical activities with theoretical lessons to promote physical health, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for active, healthy lifestyles. This holistic approach aligns with the National Curriculum in England and Bromsgrove objectives, which aim to ensure that all pupils “lead healthy, active lives.”
• Additional Languages: Introducing communication skills in Chinese Language Arts, focusing on speaking, listening, and cultural awareness.
• Local Language and Cultural Studies: Fostering an appreciation of Khmer language, Cambodian culture, and traditions, helping pupils connect with their host country through language development, history, and cultural exploration.

At our school, we take pride in being a centre of excellence in Early Years and Primary Education, firmly rooted in our community. With a dedicated team of educators and a hands-on, child-centred approach, we ensure that every child develops the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to thrive both academically and personally. Our small class sizes and innovative teaching strategies empower children to reach their full potential, laying a strong foundation for learning that lasts a lifetime.