Building Bright Futures: Discovering the IEYC Early Years Program at Prasan Gateway International School, Phuket

PGIS Admin
Jun 7
6 min read

Navigating the exciting world of early childhood education can feel like a grand adventure for parents and teachers alike! At Prasan Gateway International School (PGIS), we believe these formative years are the foundation for a lifetime of joyful learning. That's why we embrace the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), a dynamic, play-based approach that truly puts your child at the heart of their educational journey.

Building Bright Futures: Early Years Education at PGIS with IEYC

At PGIS, our Early Years Stage isn't just a classroom; it's a vibrant, stimulating environment where curiosity flourishes and learning becomes an enjoyable exploration.

We know that every child is a unique individual, and our program is designed to meet their specific needs in a setting that celebrates diversity and inclusion.

From fostering confidence and self-esteem to nurturing independence, we're dedicated to helping your child explore the world around them through engaging, play-based activities.

Why the IEYC? A Holistic Approach to Early Learning

The International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) is more than just a curriculum; it's a research-based philosophy that understands how young children truly learn. It covers all subject areas, supporting key developmental milestones through a holistic, inquiry-led, and play-based approach.

The IEYC believes in harnessing children's natural curiosity, striking a beautiful balance between child-initiated exploration and thoughtful, teacher-guided activities.

This nurturing environment prepares our youngest learners for a seamless transition to the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), ensuring a strong foundation for their future academic success.

Discover the IEYC's Core Principles – Guiding Our Approach:

At PGIS, our Early Years curriculum is brought to life through diverse and exciting themes, all guided by the 8 core principles of the IEYC. These principles are the bedrock of our program, ensuring every child receives the best possible start:

The earliest years of life are important in their own right. We cherish this unique stage of development.
Children should be supported to learn and develop at their own unique pace. We celebrate individual progress and provide tailored support.
Play is an essential aspect of all children’s learning and development. We believe play is not just fun, but fundamental to learning.
Learning happens when developmentally appropriate teacher-scaffolded and child-initiated experiences harness children’s natural curiosity in an enabling environment. We create spaces where curiosity leads the way.
Independent and interdependent learning experiences create a context for personal development and are the foundation of international mindedness. We foster collaboration and a global perspective.
Knowledge and skills development lead to an increasing sense of understanding when children are provided with opportunities to explore and express their ideas in multiple ways. We encourage diverse forms of expression.
Ongoing assessment, in the form of evaluation and reflection, is effective when it involves a learning-link with the home. We value the partnership between school and home.
Learning should be motivating, engaging and fun, opening up a world of wonder for children where personal interests can flourish. We make learning an exciting adventure!

What Your Child Will Achieve: IEYC Learning Outcomes

The IEYC's Learning Outcomes go beyond just academic achievements; they encompass both Academic and International Dimensions. They identify the Knowledge, Skills, and growing Understanding that children progress towards.

We recognize that young children learn in a fluid and dynamic way, reaching developmental milestones at different times and expressing their learning in various contexts. These outcomes provide a clear framework for our teachers to monitor each child's individual development as they journey through the IEYC Units.

The IEYC Learning Journey: A Process Designed for Success

The IEYC employs a unique and engaging process to facilitate learning, ensuring a rich and rewarding experience for every child:

The Inner Cog: The Learner at the Centre
- This core principle places your child at the heart of their educational journey.
- Capturing Curiosity emphasizes collaboration, actively engaging students, teachers, and families in the learning process.
- Enable the Environment ensures that all children's needs are met within a supportive setting.
- Learning-Link connects home and school, fostering meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom.
Ready, Steady Stage: Kicking Off the Adventure!
- This exciting stage introduces each thematic unit with engaging Entry Point activities that capture the imagination of both children and families, setting the stage for rich IEYC Learning Experiences.
Prepare, Engage, and Entry Point Stage: Dive In!
- Here, all stakeholders are introduced to the unit’s learning opportunities, including key resources and concepts. Children have the chance to experiment and become familiar with the thematic learning environment.
Journey through the Theme Stage: Making Connections
- At this stage, children begin to forge connections between their previous knowledge and new discoveries, supporting associative learning and providing opportunities for review and reflection.
Playful Learning Experiences Stage: Building Blocks of Knowledge
- Consisting of Learning Blocks centred around a core focus, this stage encourages constructive and iterative learning. Children engage in contextualized activities that promote exploration, expression and the extension of their learning and development.
Explore, Express, and Extend Mini-Cycle: Growth at Their Own Pace
- This phase offers IEYC learning activities at a developmentally appropriate level, aligning with the Dimensions of Learning and Development. It allows for progressive learning, where children can consolidate knowledge and develop essential skills at their own pace.
Exit Stretch Stage: Celebrating the Journey!
- This crucial stage serves multiple purposes, encouraging reflection on Personal, International, and Academic Learning Experiences. It’s also a time for sharing discoveries with peers and teachers, and a joyful celebration of the learning journey within the unit.
Reflect Aspect of the Exit Stretch Stage: Deepening Understanding
- This reflective component helps children make connections, deepen their understanding, and develop valuable metacognitive skills – learning how to learn!
Outer Circles: Understanding Each Child
- Through Reflective Practices, we gain insights into each child’s unique curiosities, capabilities, and preferred learning contexts. The IEYC framework recognizes children as active agents in their learning and development, adapting to their growing knowledge and understanding.

Ready to Explore More?

We invite you to learn more about how Prasan Gateway International School provides a truly exceptional early years education. We believe that by fostering a love of learning from the very beginning, we empower children to become confident, capable, and internationally-minded individuals.

Learn more about our Early Years Program or explore our Phuket Kindergarten on our dedicated page: Phuket Kindergarten | Early Years Program | PGIS
Discover more about the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) directly from the curriculum developers: IEYC Official Website
Ready to see our vibrant learning environment firsthand? Book a Tour today: Book a Tour at PGIS Phuket

At Prasan Gateway International School, we're excited to partner with you in laying the strongest possible foundation for your child's bright future!

🧠 IEYC Learning Journey – FAQs

What Your Child Will Achieve: Understanding the IEYC at PGIS

🔍 What is the IEYC?

The International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) is a research-based curriculum designed for children aged 2–6. It focuses on holistic, play-based, and inquiry-driven learning through thematic units that engage children’s curiosity and imagination.

🧩 What are the IEYC Learning Outcomes?

The IEYC Learning Outcomes cover:

Academic Development (early literacy, numeracy, science, etc.)
International Understanding
Personal and Social GrowthThey identify key Knowledge, Skills, and growing Understanding that your child is progressing towards.

🌱 How does the IEYC support individual development?

Every child is unique. The IEYC recognises that children:

Learn in different ways
Reach milestones at different times
Express learning in various forms

Teachers use the Learning Outcomes to observe and support each child’s personal development throughout the unit.

⚙️ What is the IEYC Learning Process?

The IEYC is designed as a learning journey, not a checklist. Here's how it flows:

1. The Learner at the Centre

Your child is the focus. We build from their interests and needs.

2. Ready, Steady Stage

A fun, imaginative Entry Point kicks off each unit and introduces families too!

3. Prepare, Engage, and Entry Point

Children explore the unit’s learning environment and key ideas.

4. Journey Through the Theme

Children make meaningful connections between new knowledge and what they already know.

5. Playful Learning Experiences

Hands-on activities called Learning Blocks promote exploration and deeper understanding.

6. Explore, Express, and Extend

Children consolidate knowledge and apply their learning at their own pace.

7. Exit Stretch

A celebration of learning! Children reflect, share, and connect everything they’ve discovered.

8. Reflection

Children build metacognition—learning how to learn—through reflection and teacher guidance.

💡 How is learning assessed in the IEYC?

Assessment is continuous and informal. Teachers observe:

How children explore
What they say and do during learning
How they apply knowledge across contexts

We also invite parent contributions through Learning-Link to gain a full picture of each child’s development.

👪 What is Learning-Link?

Learning-Link is how we connect classroom learning with home life. Parents are encouraged to:

Share observations from home
Join Entry or Exit Point activities
Help build a learning-rich environment beyond the classroom

🌏 How does the IEYC promote international mindedness?

Children learn about:

Their own identity
Diverse cultures
Shared responsibilities: Each unit includes opportunities to develop respect, empathy, and a sense of being part of a wider world.

🏫 How is IEYC different from traditional early years approaches?

The IEYC is not just academic—it’s whole child focused.
Learning is inquiry-based, driven by play, and connected to children’s interests.
It’s internationally recognised and aligns with global best practices in early childhood education.