Early Years, (Ages 3-5)
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 years 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 Programme (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.
Curiosity & Creativity
Wellbeing & Confidence
Play-Based Learning
Primary Years Programme (PYP) Ready
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 children 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.
- Cognitive, Social & Emotional Development
- Problem-Solving & Creativity
- Communication & Teamwork
- Fine & Gross Motor Skills
Meaningful Relationships
Learning Through Play
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.
Skills in Action
- 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 Programme (PYP) curriculum, supporting a confident and natural transition into primary school learning.
A Seamless Learning Continuum
Our Early Years Program is the first step in a carefully planned learning continuum that leads directly into the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Children benefit from consistent approaches, shared language, and aligned values throughout their learning journey.
Supporting Every Transition
- 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.
Reggio-Inspired Education
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.
Learning in Practice
- 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.
Forest Learning
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.
Learning in Nature
- 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.
An Environment as the Third Teacher
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.
Purposefully Designed Learning Spaces
- 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.
Play-Based Learning in Action
A Balanced Approach to Play
As a school committed to play-based learning, IICS blends free play, guided play, and 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.
Skills Developed Through Play
- 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.
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.
Skills in Action
- 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 Programme (PYP) curriculum, supporting a confident and natural transition into primary school learning.
Our Early Years Program is the first step in a carefully planned learning continuum that leads directly into the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Children benefit from consistent approaches, shared language, and aligned values throughout their learning journey.
Supporting Every Transition
- 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.
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.
Learning in Practice
- 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.
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.
Learning in Nature
- 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.
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.
Purposefully Designed Learning Spaces
- 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.
A Balanced Approach to Play
As a school committed to play-based learning, IICS blends free play, guided play, and 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.
Skills Developed Through Play
- 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.
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
Every child deserves to learn in an environment where they feel safe, valued, and confident to explore.
Marmara Campus
Hisar Campus
What Families Say
Hear from parents about their experiences with our Early Years Program and the supportive community at IICS.
Iryna Egorov
Sukran Gazioglu
Gaia Ferretti
International Standards & Educational Framework
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.