News
Sep 26 2023
ECC Toddler & Nursery Transition Program
Phil Clark
Beijing City International School (BCIS) is committed to strong partnerships between home and school. This is particularly important in the Early Childhood Center (ECC) where children are commencing their school journey for the first time. Taking our philosophy of parent partnership we have developed a unique program for our young children to begin school.
During the two weeks before school starts, parents of our Toddler and Nursery students are welcome to join us at ECC. Here, they can accompany their children as they explore the school and get to know our teachers. We believe parents know their children best, so ECC actively encourages family members to participate and share this valuable back-to-school time. As children become more familiar with their surroundings and routines, parents can choose when to gradually step back from the classroom, helping to ease any anxiety their children may have. This transition process spans three weeks, during which our teachers introduce activities like lunchtime and nap time, gradually extending their learning experiences. Principal Jackie emphasizes ECC's dedication to ensuring that children do not become overwhelmed by new experiences, enabling them to fully immerse themselves in exploring the curriculum.
At ECC, we understand that families may have concerns during this transitional period. Building trust with the entire family is vital for educational success. Our transition program fosters connections with our teachers and offers insights into our program's operation. Through this collaborative approach, families develop a comprehensive understanding of our curriculum and become acquainted with our staff, forming the bedrock of trust for each child's learning journey.
Ryan's mother, whose child is in Nursery class, positively endorsed the transition program. She stressed the importance of recognizing each child's unique needs and personality traits. Some children may only require the presence of their parents nearby in a new environment, while others may need continuous companionship. ECC's transition program is personalizable, catering to each child's individual situation, and encourages collaboration between parents and teachers. In her opinion, these programs are highly considerate. Stephanie's mother, whose child is in the Toddler class, shared her child's seamless integration process and praised the patience of the homeroom teacher. Around ten days into the program, the teacher intentionally reduces the time parents spend with their children or observing from outside the classroom. Stephanie's mother noted that during this period, children may experience minor emotional fluctuations, but all the children in the class have smoothly transitioned.
One of the standout and unique features of ECC is the "Open Campus Policy". This policy actively encourages parents to utilize the school's facilities throughout the school day. At ECC, parents can work on our campus, savor a coffee, socialize with friends, or take advantage of our library. BCIS families value the chance to be on campus during the school day as it enables them to observe the activities and be readily available if their young ones need assistance as they embark on their educational journey.
Ryan's mother passionately conveyed how the toddler and the transition program alleviated her anxieties. As one of the most active members of the PTA, she recently played a pivotal role in facilitating parent breakfast meetings and workshops within the kindergarten. During these workshops, the distinguished international education and PYP consultant, Tania Lattanzio, led parents through an engaging ice ball play experience. This hands-on activity enabled them to explore firsthand how young children develop theories and engage in purposeful play. They were truly impressed by the teachers' adeptness at infusing intention into seemingly ordinary games.
For Ryan's mother, actively participating in and contributing to this series of parent activities proved to be the most effective means of gaining profound insights into the school, its curriculum, and its educators. She explained, "This deepens my understanding of the IB system, helping me grasp how we can nurture children's growth by fostering curiosity and independence through an exploratory environment. It's all about developing their interpersonal skills, social awareness, and understanding of rules, rather than merely rigidly imparting knowledge." Ryan's mother also clarified why she chose the toddler class as the starting point for her child's educational journey at this crucial stage.
In order to provide more families with a profound understanding of our teaching environment and the opportunity to experience early childhood education in our small classes firsthand, the BCIS Early Childhood Center will be hosting an Open Day event on October 21st. Additionally, we have already initiated the application process for the 2024/2025 school year. BCIS extends a warm invitation to all parents who resonate with our educational philosophy to visit our campus and explore the educational intricacies unfolding in this haven for children.
