Nursery & Reception (Preschool & JK)

Boy with Painted Hand

Students in Nursery and Reception classes, known as the Foundation Stage (ages 3 to 5), follow the Foundation Curriculum which is tailored to the developing needs of young students and is based on the UK government's Early Learning Goals. Play is an integral part of our Foundation curriculum. We recognize through supported play that students can explore, develop and use their curiosity and imagination to help them make sense of the world in a secure environment.

The Foundation Stage covers seven distinct areas of learning:

Personal and Social Development
Communication, Language and Literacy
Mathematical Development
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Physical Development
Creative Development
Modern Foreign Languages

Topic Based Learning

A topic, cross-curricular based approach to learning underpins all the foundation stage learning at the British School of Chicago. Topic based learning is taught through the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). The IPC is a challenging and fun curriculum focused explicitly on developing children’s learning based around related themes of real interest to children so they are engaged and enthusiastic. Its structure is based on subject, personal and internationally-minded learning goals.These unique units of work help children acquire knowledge, skills and understanding in active, exciting and motivating classroom environments.

Our topic based learning has a high focus on play, which is the basis of development and learning for young children, and your child will continue to take part in many indoor and outdoor play experiences helping them to learn and have fun. At the very heart of the IPC is also an international approach to learning, which is reflected in all the topics, and helps the children develop as global citizens.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Successful personal, social and emotional development is critical for your child in all aspects of life and gives him/her the best opportunity for success in all other areas of learning. At our school your child will be provided with experiences and support that will enable them to develop a positive sense of himself/herself. It is also about developing respect for others and a positive disposition to learn. This will be accomplished by our staff by:

establishing a constructive relationship that will take into account the different needs and expectations your child will bring to our school;
finding opportunities to give your child positive encouragement;
planning opportunities for your child to work alone and in different sized groups;
ensuring there is time and space for your child to focus on activities that will develop his/her interests;
planning activities that will promote your child’s emotional, spiritual, moral and social development;
providing experiences that will assist your child to develop autonomy and the disposition to learn.

Communication, Language and Literacy

The development and use of communication and language is at the heart of your child’s learning. Learning to listen and speak emerge out of nonverbal communication, which includes body language such as facial expressions, eye contact, hand gestures and taking turns. These skills develop as your child expresses their needs and feelings, interacts with others and establishes his/her own identity and personality. The ability to communicate gives your child the capacity to participate more fully in society. To give your child the best opportunities for effective development our staff will:

provide opportunities for your child to communicate thoughts, ideas and feelings with adults and peers with particular awareness of, and sensitivity to, the needs of children for whom English is an additional language;
give your child opportunities to share and enjoy a wide range of rhymes, songs, poetry, stories and non-fiction books;
engage your child to link language with physical movement in action songs and rhymes, role play and practical experiences such as cookery and gardening;
provide opportunities for your child to experiment with writing through making marks, personal writing symbols and conventional script;
plan opportunities for your child to become aware of languages and writing systems other than English;
incorporate literacy development with the use of early phonetic exposure.

Mathematical Development

Your child’s mathematical development depends on his/her becoming confident and competent in learning and using key skills such as; counting, sorting, matching, seeking patterns, making connections, recognizing relationships and working with numbers, shapes, space and measures. Your child’s mathematical understanding will be developed through stories, songs, games, and imaginative play, so that he/she will enjoy using and experimenting with numbers. To give your child the best opportunities for effective mathematical development, our teaching staff gives particular attention to:

different activities, some of which will focus on mathematical development and some of which will focus on observing patterns in the environment and daily routine;
activities that are imaginative and enjoyable;
practical activities underpinned by your child’s developing communication skills;
organizing opportunities to observe, assess and plan the next stage in your child’s learning.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

In this area of learning your child will find out more and more about the world we live in and the people he/she may encounter. This forms the foundation for later work in science, history, geography and technology. Your child will acquire a range of skills, knowledge and attitudes related to understanding the world. To effectively develop his/her knowledge, our staff will give particular attention to:

activities based on first-hand experiences that encourage exploration, observation, problem solving, prediction, critical thinking, decision making and discussion;
an environment with a wide range of indoor or outdoor activities that stimulate your child’s interests and curiosity;
opportunities that will help your child to become aware of, explore and question issues of differences in gender, ethnicity, language and culture;
adult support in helping your child communicate and record orally and in other ways.

Physical Development

Physical development at the British School is about improving your child’s skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement. Physical development will help your child gain confidence in what they can do and will enable him/her to feel the positive benefit of being healthy and active. Effective physical development will help your child develop a positive sense of well-being, and our teaching staff gives particular attention to:

planning activities for your child that offer appropriate physical challenges;
providing sufficient space, indoors and outdoors, to set up relevant activities;
giving sufficient time for your child to use a range of equipment;
providing resources that can be used in a variety of ways or to support specific skills;
introducing the language of movement to your child, alongside their actions.

Creative Development

Creativity is fundamental to your child’s successful learning. Being creative will enable your child to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extend their understanding. This area of learning includes art, music, dance, role play and imaginative play. To give your child the best opportunity for developing their creativity, our teaching staff will:

plan a wide range of activities that your child can respond to by using many senses;
give your child sufficient time to explore and develop their ideas;
present resources from a variety of cultures to your child in order to stimulate different ways of thinking;
organize opportunities for your child to work alongside artists and other creative adults;
present a stimulating environment in which creativity, originality and expressiveness are valued.

Modern Foreign Languages

At the Foundation level your child will experience the language of French, when they enter Year 2 he/she will learn French and Spanish and continue with both languages through the primary school. Learning another language raises awareness of the multi-lingual and multi-cultural world and introduces an international dimension to learning, giving your child an insight into his/her own culture and those of others. A foreign language provides your child with a medium for cross curricular links and the reinforcement of knowledge and skills in other subjects. All foreign language lessons are taught by specialists.