A Joyful Start to Lifelong Learning
At the International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands (ISTCI), our Early Years programme provides a warm and engaging environment where young children grow with confidence. We celebrate every child as unique, encouraging self-expression, independence, and meaningful connections with others. Teachers create supportive classrooms that nurture curiosity, build social and emotional growth, and inspire a love for learning from the very beginning.
What Is the IEYC?
The International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) is a research-based framework that supports holistic child development. It combines child-led exploration with teacher-guided activities across all subject areas in an integrated way. The IEYC promotes personal, social, physical, and cognitive growth while preparing children for future learning, including a smooth transition to the International Primary Curriculum (IPC).
The Eight Core Principles
Our Early Years programme is guided by the IEYC’s eight core principles:
The earliest years of life are important in their own right.
Children should be supported to learn and develop at their own pace.
Play is essential for learning and development.
Play is essential for learning and development.
The IEYC Learning Process
The International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) places the learner at the centre of education. It combines collaboration, reflection, and child-led exploration, guiding progress through a series of well-defined stages:
The Inner Cog
Keeps the child at the heart of learning. Capturing Curiosity engages teachers, families, and students. Enable the Environment ensures children’s needs are met, while Learning Link connects school and home.
Ready, Steady Stage
Introduces each unit with engaging entry activities that involve both children and families.
Prepare, Engage, and Entry Point Stage
Provides opportunities to explore new themes, resources, and concepts while sparking curiosity.
Journey through the Theme Stage
Helps children build connections between prior knowledge and new discoveries, with opportunities to reflect.
Playful Learning Experiences Stage
Focused learning blocks encourage exploration, self-expression, and deeper understanding through play.
Explore, Express, and Extend Mini-Cycle
Aligns with developmental needs, allowing children to consolidate knowledge and skills at their own pace.
Exit Stretch Stage
Encourages reflection across personal, academic, and international contexts, while celebrating achievements with peers and teachers.
Reflect Aspect of the Exit Stretch
Strengthens understanding and metacognitive skills by helping children connect ideas.
Outer Circles
Through reflective practice, teachers identify children’s interests, strengths, and learning preferences, recognising them as active participants in their own development.
IEYC Learning Outcomes
The International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) defines progress through three key dimensions of development:
- Academic: Building strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, science, and other subjects
- International: Developing awareness and appreciation of global perspectives
- Personal: Strengthening social skills, emotional wellbeing, independence, and communication
Within these dimensions, children gain knowledge, build practical skills, and learn to apply their understanding in meaningful ways. The IEYC recognises that each child progresses at their own pace, and teachers adapt learning to meet individual needs.
Why Families
Choose the
IEYC at ISTCI
- A trusted, internationally recognised framework for early years education
- A balance of child-led exploration and teacher-supported learning
- Strong connections between home and school that support each child’s growth
- Themed units that spark curiosity and creativity
- Development across academic, personal, and international dimensions
- A smooth transition to the International Primary Curriculum (IPC)
- Ongoing professional learning for our dedicated early years educators
How We Deliver the IEYC
At ISTCI, our educators bring the International Early Years Curriculum to life with internationally researched materials and engaging learning units. Lessons are delivered with care and intention, ensuring they are joyful, developmentally appropriate, and tailored to each child.
Through this approach, children are supported by teachers who nurture individuality, build confidence, and foster global awareness. They leave our Early Years programme well-prepared to thrive in the next stage of their education.
Want to explore the IEYC in detail?
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