In August 2022, Footprints began the transition to the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for our Early Childhood programme, comprising Nursery, PreK1, PreK2 and Kindergarten. The Kindergarten level serves as a transition stage from the IEYC to the Cambridge Assessment International Examination (CAIE) curriculum framework, with Kindergarten corresponding to stage one of the CAIE curriculum.

What is the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC)?

Developed by Fieldwork Education, the IEYC is a current, evidence-based curriculum that takes into account the developmental requirements of children as well as global best practices in early childhood education. Through comprehensive inquiry and play-based approaches that address all subject areas of the curriculum including personal, social, and emotional development, the IEYC supports key learning areas.

What are the Guiding principles of this curriculum? 

• Children should be encouraged to grow and learn at their own unique pace.
• International mindedness is built on independent and interdependent learning experiences, which provide a context for personal development.
• Knowledge and skills development lead to an increasing sense of understanding when children are provided with opportunities to explore and express their ideas in various ways.
• Learning occurs when children’s innate curiosity is tapped into through developmentally appropriate, teacher-scaffolded, and child-initiated experiences in a supportive setting.
• Learning should be motivating, engaging and fun, opening up a world of wonder for children where personal interests can flourish.
• Continuous evaluation and reflection that incorporate a learning connection to the home are excellent forms of ongoing assessment.
• Play is an essential aspect of all children’s learning and development.
• The earliest years of life are valuable in their own right.

(adapted from: https://americas.britishcouncil.org)

Why has Footprints chosen to integrate this curriculum? 

The IEYC offers the very best of contemporary education to our young learners, emphasising holistic, child-centred and playful approaches to learning and development. The IEYC integrates perfectly with both national and international curriculums, and works well for the transition phase between early years and primary education. Providing 24+ learning units which are rich in content and based around exciting themes that capture children’s curiosity, the IEYC integrates creativity, art, environment and play-based learning into all units.