Nursery and Reception Years at LIST

Children are accepted into the Nursery programme at LIST from the age of three (sometimes younger by arrangement with the school - potty trained is essential!), normally progressing into Reception class the August following their fourth birthday.

Throughout the two years of Nursery and then Reception classes we aim to provide a safe, caring and stimulating environment, with small class sizes, which caters to children's individual needs and abilities, while also developing confidence and self-esteem. The school environment encourages children to become independent and make their own choices and decisions.

Students are given the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities. These include play indoors and outdoors, imaginative role-play, sand/water play, art and craft activities, music, drama, physical education and science.

In both Nursery and Reception classes the emphasis for language and mathematics is activity-based learning. Thai language learning is also part of the curriculum.

Classes are organised so that a qualified assistant teacher helps the teacher. This enables us to provide as much individual attention to the children as possible. Students receive 4 report cards a year. Reports include rubrics and checklists highlighting learning objectives. Parent –Teacher interviews are held three times a year. Parents are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their children's teachers to discuss their children's progress at any time.

The curriculum for the Nursery and Reception classes at Lanna underpins all future learning by supporting, fostering, promoting and developing children’s:

Personal, Social and Emotional Well-Being: in particular by supporting the transition to and between settings, promoting an inclusive ethos and providing opportunities for each child to become a valued member of that group and community so that a strong self-image and self-esteem are promoted.

Positive Attitudes and Dispositions Towards their Learning: in particular an enthusiasm for knowledge and learning and a confidence in their ability to be successful learners.

Social Skills: in particular by providing opportunities that enable them to learn how to cooperate and work harmoniously alongside and with each other and to listen to each other.

Attention Skills and Persistence: in particular the capacity to concentrate on their own play or on group tasks.

Language and Communication: with opportunities for all children to talk and communicate in a widening range of situations, to respond to adults and to each other, to practice and extend the range of vocabulary and communication skills they use and to listen carefully.

Reading and Writing: with opportunities for all children to explore, enjoy, learn about and use words and text in a broad range of contexts and to experience a rich variety of books.

Specific Aims of the Nursery and Reception classes

Mathematical Development: with opportunities for all children to develop their understanding of number, measurement, pattern, shape and space by providing a broad range of contexts in which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practice and talk about them.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World: with opportunities for all children to solve problems, make decisions, experiment, predict, plan and question in a variety of contexts, and to explore and find out about their environment and people and places that have significance in their lives.

Physical Development: with opportunities for all children to develop and practice their fine and gross motor skills and to increase their understanding of how their bodies work and what they need to do to be healthy and safe.

Creative Development: with opportunities for all children to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of art, design and technology, music, movement, dance and imaginative and role play activities.