Early Years | Greengates School

OUR EARLY YEARS CURRICULUM

At our Early Years international school (nursery school, reception, and Year 1), we teach the highly regarded International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC). The first accredited IEYC school in Mexico, our innovative programme immerses our young learners in the English language and provides a strong academic foundation, delivering playful, thematic activities that encourage curiosity and discovery.

AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR INTERNATIONAL EARLY YEARS CURRICULUM (IEYC)

Greengates reception and nursery school is fully accredited to deliver the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC).

The IEYC was launched in 2016, as a precursor to the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), which our students follow in Primary School. Offering a truly global Early Years education, the IEYC is designed to nurture the holistic growth of children between the ages of three and five.

Greengates was the first Primary and Early Years school in Mexico – and Latin America – to achieve both IEYC and IPC accreditation. The IEYC and IPC are part of the International Curriculum Association (ICA), which has been helping schools to enrich children’s learning since 1984.

THE IEYC’S APPROACH TO LEARNING

Through the IEYC, our Early Years international school children enjoy exciting, engaging, and challenging play-based activities that nurture academic, personal, and social growth. Our curriculum sparks our students’ passions and ignites their curiosity, encouraging them to become active participants in their learning journey.

Learning takes place through a series of thematic units, which are taught across different subjects. Each unit begins with an interesting hook or entry point that engages our children, motivates them to find out more, and develops their knowledge, skills, and understanding.

Our young students work towards personal goals that inspire them. They also gain a sense of identity, while simultaneously developing a profound respect for the nationalities and cultures of others.

EMBRACING LANGUAGE AND CULTURE FROM AN EARLY AGE

Our approach to learning at Greengates Early Years international school in Mexico is inspired by our host country. The education we provide is also informed by the Government’s Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP). At Greengates, Mexican nationals and native Spanish speakers work towards targets set by the SEP through Spanish language and IPC Social Studies lessons.

We expect our young international students to achieve literacy in Spanish by the end of Primary School, with their linguistic journey beginning in the Early Years. By the end of Primary, we also want them to have an in-depth knowledge of Mexican history and geography, and a sincere appreciation for our country’s rich culture and traditions.

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A TYPICAL DAY AT GREENGATES SCHOOL

Our littlest learners’ days are packed with exciting activities that build confidence, pique curiosity, and encourage exploration.

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MORNING GREETINGS

Our teachers greet us at the main gate, before we all gather in the classroom next to the entrance and begin a hands-on morning activity. We greet our peers as they join us and get ready for a day of learning activities ahead.

GETTING READY

STORYTELLING

We love to express ourselves! Through Jolly Phonic activities, we begin to practice our skills that will lead us to read and write stories, following the IEYC – and we practice our English following the English National Curriculum, too.

READING AND WRITING

LUNCHTIME NIBBLES AND PLAY

We eat our packed lunches in our classroom before going out to play with our friends. We can build our motor skills by running, riding tricycles, digging in the sand box together, or playing hide and seek with our teacher and peers.

PLAYING WITH OTHERS

LEARNING TOGETHER

We love creating stars as part of the IEYC unit, Blast Off! Whilst our teacher leads us through some activities in small groups, in others, we get to choose what we want to work on from our unit learning goals and take the lead.

CREATING AND CONNECTING

ARTS AND CRAFTS

We become more independent and confident through arts and crafts that show us what we can do on our own, like putting together small gadgets or practicing our handwriting. These also help us develop our fine motor skills.

DOING IT YOURSELF

GET ACTIVE!

We enjoy physical education activities twice each week, and this includes swimming together in the pool. We feel empowered as we discover how to use our strokes, support our bodies, and keep an active lifestyle.

FLOATING AND SPLASHING

AWARDS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EXCELLENCE

Our combined IEYC and IPC programme has been celebrated for its excellent approach, receiving 51 mastering awards across 58 individual categories.

Greengates has been recognised for:

Having a clear focus on improved learning.
Implementing a shared vision for how we stimulate children’s growth.
International mindedness and global awareness.
The development of knowledge, skills, and understanding.
Engaging students in outstanding experiences that support learning and extend development.
Successful teaching of the IEYC’s learning process.
Successful teaching of the IEYC’s themes through holistic learning experiences.

AN INDIVIDUALISED APPROACH TO LEARNING

Our highly qualified, energetic, and experienced international Early Years teaching team inspire our students to become confident, lifelong learners. They’ll nurture your child’s strengths and interests, provide the right support, and challenge them to be their best, ensuring they fulfil their unique potential.

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