Early Years

Your child’s first experience at school is crucial to how they will approach learning for the rest of their life, and at Tenby Schools Setia Eco Gardens our aim is to provide an Early Years education that incites a natural curiosity in students aged 3 to 5, inspiring excitement and motivation towards learning both inside and outside the classroom.

To achieve this, the Early Years programme adopts a play-based approach, as we believe that it is through playing that children are most engaged to learn, while also giving them the opportunity to build vital social and interpersonal skills from a young age.

The programme forms an ideal basis for your child’s entry into either the International (Tenby International School) or Malaysian National (Sekolah Sri Tenby) schools after completion.

Curriculum

Curriculum

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS), which is the national Early Years curriculum of the United Kingdom.

The EYFS places emphasis on holistic enquiry and play-based approaches that cover all curriculum areas including personal, social and emotional development. It believes that rigorous assessments are of secondary importance to developing a well-rounded, inquisitive learner at this early stage, and evaluates student progress based on classroom observation which is benchmarked on early learning goals, meaning your child will not sit for formal exams.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE EYFS

Areas of Development

All children are entitled to the best possible start in their school life, both intellectually and emotionally. In the Early Years programme, we place focus on three key areas of development:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Developing a positive sense of themselves and others
Forming positive relationships and developing respect for others
Developing social skills and learning how to manage their feelings
Understanding appropriate behaviour in groups
Developing confidence in their own abilities.

Physical Development

Developing coordination, control, and movement
Understanding the importance of physical activity
Making healthy choices in relation to food

Communication and Language

Developing confidence and skills in expressing themselves
Learning to speak and listen in a range of situations

Our caring and dedicated teachers, who are all fully trained to deliver the EYFS curriculum, go beyond the syllabus to support each child's welfare, learning and development needs by providing a safe, secure and caring environment, while fostering and nurturing self-confidence and self-esteem. Two adults are present in all classes, meaning teachers can also give children all the personal attention they need at this crucial stage. Teachers also integrate the Amazing Learning philosophy in Early Years education by placing children in situations where perseverance at a given task is required for breakthrough learning. While we are always sensitive to each student’s needs, we firmly believe that good struggle during the Early Years helps to forge individuals with a resilient attitude in learning and life.

Areas of Learning

Aside from personal, social and emotional development, the Early Years programme has clearly defined learning areas and objectives. The four specific areas are:

English

to begin to link letters and sounds, explore texts and poetry, and begin their reading, writing and literacy journey.

Understanding the World

to make sense of the physical world and their community.

Mathematics

to develop skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems, and describing shapes, spaces and measures.

Expressive Arts and Design

to express and explore a wide range of media and materials. To share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, movement, dance and more.

We go further than the prescribed curriculum by offering additional elements to learning such as extra Maths lessons, separate PE and swimming slots to maximise opportunity for physical development, and a daily phonics lessons to encourage independent reading and writing. Mandarin and Bahasa Melayu lessons are also offered in the Early Years.

We know reading about our school isn't the same as experiencing it firsthand. That's why we invite you to book a school tour of our campus in Johor Bahru and discover our community and learning spaces that will help your child thrive.

Please complete the form below and we will be in touch to book your tour and look forward to seeing you on campus soon!