ACTIVITIES & CURRICULUM

The Early Years play-based curriculum that Three Little Ships offers is in accordance with the early learning goals of the IPC - International Primary Curriculum for children from 3 to 5 years old.

It is designed to slot into the curriculum of the International schools. If your child enters the school not speaking English, he/she will have the advantage of learning English in a small environment before entering formal education.

Six identified curriculum areas are used to structure what is offered to the children in the classroom. These areas are:

1. social-emotional development
2. communication language and literacy
3. mathematical development
4. knowledge and understanding of the world
5. physical development
6. creative development.

To find more about our educational policy, please ask to view the educational policy document.

The group is taught by English speaking staff, experienced in leading playgroups and International pre-school education, with a ratio of one adult to 6 children. All staff members are fully qualified and most have additional qualifications and experience with special educational needs.

Within the group of 16 children there will be room for 4/5 children with special needs and 11/12 normally developing peers. Such inclusive education has been proven of benefit to all children.

The role of the staff is clearly of utmost importance to the childrens personal growth, self-confidence and achievement of educational goals. Staff members provide a feeling of emotional security and well being, offering the opportunity to develop personal and social competencies, and to learn to respect the rules and agreements of society.

Our staff respects the individuality of the child; we strive to find the right balance between the needs of each individual child and the group as a whole.

A DAY IN THREE LITTLE SHIPS

On entering school in the morning the children are able to choose between a wide variety of play and developmental activities and materials.

There is a structured Talking Time as well as Music, Physical Education, Outside Play and lots of opportunities for Art. Activities are planned according to various topics.

The children are offered fruit, crackers and juice as a snack and they all sit to eat lunch together with the group leaders.

After lunch they have a Quiet Time where they lie quietly and look at books, to collect themselves for an afternoon of more play and learning. The afternoon may include special lessons such as Music or Physical Education.

At Home Time we hope they have a lot to tell about a happy day at school!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Three Little Ships is located at Amalia van Solmsstraat 155, in The Hague.

The pre-school runs for the whole academic year, from August to July (the school follows the holiday calendar of the Dutch International schools).

The children will attend school Monday to Friday from 8.45 until 14.30, with the exception of Wednesdays when school closes at 12.15.

The International Department of the Haagsche Schoolvereeniging (HSV) is adjacent to the playground. The playground is spacious and equipped with playground apparatus and outdoor toys to challenge and stimulate children's physical and social development.

Indoors, the classroom is large, light and well equipped.

SCHOOL CALENDAR 2011-2012

Download the School Calendar 2011-2012 in PDF format (35 kB).

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOL

The health and safety of our children is of outmost importance. A yearly health and safety review is carried out by an external company using the Dutch GGD Health and Safety Protocol.

A detailed Health and Safety Protocol is included in the Three Little Ships information packet, and is also available in the Forms&Documents section.