OUR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

"Preschool education is now recognized as the most important in a student's life. It is during these years that we gain our first social and learning experiences. These early experiences are decisive and set the stage for our later student, personal and professional lives."

Early Years
Program

Native Speakers Teachers
6-8: 1 orrespondence of students to teacher
Child-centered education
"Nature classes" in the school yard

Kindergarten

8-10: 1 Correspondence of students to teacher
Interdisciplinary approach
Experiential "learning"
Curriculum as recommended by the Ministry of Education

Our school's Preschool and Kindergarten program is designed according to the most modern standards of preschool education.

The program is child-centered, learning is experiential and takes place through daily contact with nature.

Operation

Hours: 7: 45-16:00
Daily Schedule: 9: 00-14; 30 | Aftercare until 16:00.
School bus service

Overview of the Early Years and Kindergarten curriculum

At Fox in the Pine we offer bilingual education to students aged between 2.5 - 5.5 with the goal of educating both heart and mind. We accept children with all levels of English language ability.

We believe that young students learn most effectively through play, social interactions, real life experiences and a rich variety of inquiry experiences. We offer small groups where learning is hands-on, support is individual, and children and cultures from all over the world are celebrated.

Using the inquiry-based IB (PYP) our educators work with students to problem-solve, question, reflect, and take action. Building phonemic awareness and pre-literacy skills as well as foundational skills for mathematics and science is woven into each day.

Specialist teachers in the fields of art, music and physical education are an integral part of our program. Outdoor learning is also considered vital to our students’ development and children spend considerable time outside, each day under all weather conditions.

The six IB PYP transdisciplinary themes mark the starting point of student inquiries. Our Early Years and Kindergarten students complete four Units of Inquiry each year, two of which always fall under the “Who we are” and “How we Express ourselves” transdisciplinary theme. In our classes students use talk, play, shared experiences and collaborative exploration to make meaning and build an understanding of themselves, their wider community and the world.

School for the first time!

First time at school!

In preschool we meet many new friends and make our first friendships. With our friends, we see each other every day and play with colorful materials, with soil and water. Our teachers are there for us, they are there only for us, with all their attention and joy to show us the world and answer all the questions that arise...and in the most appropriate way.

We listen to music, we dance, we are read stories. We learn something new every day, how we love it when our curiosity is stimulated! Even the food is fun! We all sit together as friends, looking at each other's plate and the food gets tastier!

So we learn to hold a spoon by ourselves....but we also learn to tie our laces, put on our clothes and button up our jackets - we become independent! ...how many things can I do myself? It's so nice at school.....But why was I crying at first???

Probably because I didn't know the school...everything was foreign to me! Unfamiliar people, unfamiliar places, unfamiliar children! And at first I didn't know that you would come to pick me up again probably... Thank you for being patient, understanding my concern, responding to it. I also thank the teacher who kept saying how much you love me and how I will always go home to you and we used to call you when I wanted to hear you so much! And I felt safe ... and enjoyed my student life!

How quickly transition takes place depends on the temperament of each child individually, just as the way they express their anxiety about something new is also unique and completely acceptable. However, there are techniques that make this first transition into student life easier.

When the time comes for the child to go to school for the first time, it is good to have an image of it, how the children spend their time there, how their teachers, friends, and games are.

The first visit with your child to school is essential. This way they will be able to create a first image and will give you ground to discuss it with your child.

Your participation in the school's first get-to-know-you activities is also essential.

During the adjustment period, the presence of a parent in the room facilitates the smooth integration of the child.

The duration of the child's stay at school should gradually increase until they feel comfortable with the environment.

Nature Based

In recent years, contact with the natural environment has been increasingly recognized by the educational community as a source of knowledge and positive emotions for children. For us, contact with Nature is "Principle". Through contact with soil and daily engagement with the cultivation of land, children experientially learn responsibility, cooperation, managing success or failure through a seed, as well as the cycles of seasons and life . They develop their imagination and creativity, in their effort to make natural toys with wood and leaves.

Our Premises

Classrooms

Through the configuration of the school's classrooms, personal motivation for learning as well as the spirit of cooperation is strengthened.

Playground area

On 3 acres of natural yard space, we spend the biggest part of our day. With the exception of extreme weather conditions, group activities, cultivating our vegetables, and free play are all organized here.