EARLY YEARS (Ages 3 – 5)

EARLY YEARS PROGRAM AT IICS

At IICS, our Early Years Program offers a warm, joyful, and engaging beginning to every child’s learning journey. Rooted in high-quality early years education, the program emphasizes inquiry, creativity, wellbeing, and global-mindedness as essential foundations for lifelong learning.

Designed for children aged 3–6, our early years education program provides a balanced and developmentally appropriate approach that supports a smooth transition into primary school. Children feel confident, capable, and excited to learn from the very start of their educational experience.

Families searching for early learning programs for 3-year-olds, a nurturing early year learning program, or a future-ready pathway into primary school will find an inclusive and supportive environment at IICS. Our early years program intentionally prepares children for success in the Primary Years Program (PYP) by building strong social, emotional, and academic foundations.

Families interested in joining our Early Years program can begin the process through the online application.

HOLISTIC & PERSONALIZED LEARNING

We believe in learning through play because it fosters cognitive, social, and emotional development in children. Through play, children explore their environment, develop problem-solving skills, and enhance their creativity and imagination. It also encourages social interaction, helping them build communication skills and understand teamwork. Additionally, play-based learning supports physical development by improving fine and gross motor skills, making it a holistic approach to early childhood education.

Learning through play is at the heart of our early years program and is recognized as a powerful driver of meaningful learning. Through purposeful, play-based experiences, children actively explore ideas, develop skills, and make sense of the world around them.
Children develop key skills through activities such as:
• Early numeracy through block construction and pattern building
• Early literacy through storytelling corners and role-play
• Problem-solving through collaborative games and inquiry challenges
• Social skills through shared imaginative play
Teachers carefully design hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and connect learning to real-world contexts. These play-based experiences align with the Primary Years Program curriculum, supporting a confident and natural transition into primary school learning.

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

Inspired by Reggio Emilia principles, our learning spaces are intentionally designed to act as the “third teacher.” The physical environment plays a vital role in our early years education program, encouraging exploration, independence, and creativity.
Key features of our learning environments include:
• Natural and open-ended materials
• Flexible classroom layouts
• Art studios and inquiry stations
• Loose parts that encourage experimentation and design
These thoughtfully designed spaces promote agency, collaboration, and deep engagement, while also reflecting the learning environments children will later experience in primary school.

AN ENVIRONMENT AS THE THIRD TEACHER

Our early years program is the first step in a carefully planned learning continuum that leads directly into the Primary Years Program (PYP). Children benefit from consistent approaches, shared language, and aligned values throughout their learning journey.
This learning continuum supports:
• Smooth academic transitions
• Emotional and social readiness
• Personalized learning through observation and documentation
• Strong relationships between students and teachers
Families value knowing that their child’s early years education is part of a long-term, coherent learning pathway.

A SEAMLESS LEARNING CONTINUUM

As a school committed to play-based learning, IICS blends:
• Free play
• Guided play
• Inquiry-based learning experiences
This balanced approach supports wellbeing while fostering deep cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Guided play may include teacher-led science explorations, while free play allows children to apply new skills independently.
Through play-based learning, children develop:
• Communication and language skills
• Self-regulation and independence
• Confidence and a strong sense of belonging
These competencies form a solid foundation for success in both primary school and beyond.

PLAY BASED LEARNING IN ACTION

Our Reggio-inspired approach places children’s ideas, interests, and questions at the center of learning. Teachers act as co-learners, guiding investigations and supporting long-term projects within our early years learning program.
Examples of Reggio-inspired learning include:
• Light and shadow explorations
• Nature-inspired art projects
• Collaborative storytelling and design
• Inquiry projects driven by student curiosity
This approach strengthens critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and reflection, supporting children throughout their primary school years.

REGGIO-INSPIRED EDUCATION

Forest learning is an essential part of our early years program, allowing children to regularly engage with nature in meaningful ways. Outdoor experiences encourage exploration, resilience, and appropriate risk-taking.
Through forest learning, children:
• Build shelters and structures
• Observe insects and plant life
• Solve problems collaboratively outdoors
• Develop physical coordination and teamwork
These experiences enrich our early years education and complement classroom learning while fostering environmental awareness.

FOREST LEARNING

A SAFE & NURTURING ENVIRONMENT

Safety and wellbeing are at the core of our early years education program. Our secure and caring environment supports each child’s physical, emotional, and social development.

We prioritize:

Clear routines and consistent expectations
Trusted relationships with teachers
Emotional wellbeing alongside academic readiness
Inclusive and developmentally appropriate practices

By nurturing the whole child, we ensure they are emotionally prepared for the transition into primary school and beyond.

Parents can also explore our wider school life through:

The smaller Hisar Campus (Early Years – Grade 3) is part of the school’s original grounds from its inception in 1911.

HISAR CAMPUS

The main, purpose-built Marmara campus (Early Years-Grade 12) is 25 miles west of the city center amid rolling hills, overlooking a large lake.

MARMARA CAMPUS

TESTIMONIALS

IICS is a blessing for my children!

Iryna EgorovEarly Years Parent

We love the school, so much nature around us!

Sukran GaziogluEarly Years Parent

She is super excited to come to school everyday because they learn different things!

Gaia FerrettiEarly Years Parent

We are accredited by NEASC & CIS and follow their rigorous standards to ensure educational excellence, maintain high-quality programs, and promote continuous improvement. This commitment provides assurance to families that our school meets high quality benchmarks, fostering a superior learning environment for our students.

We use the PYP (Primary Years Program) framework because it promotes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and a global perspective. It aligns with our commitment to educational excellence and helps create a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

Admissions

Moving to a new school and a new country is a major change. Our Director of Admissions at Istanbul International Community School, Zeliha Öztürk, is happy to answer your questions about IICS, about living in Istanbul, relocation, or any of your schooling concerns. Email: admissions@iics.k12.tr

APPLY HERE