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DRAFT — Nursery Review

HOME / LEARNING / NURSERY

Connect, Discover & Grow

Grades 1 - 5
Ages 6 - 11
Primary Years Programme (PYP 2 - 6)

Preschool boys building with construction blocks in class at JoyKids International Preschool

The Nursery years are an exciting stage of development.

Children become increasingly curious about the world around them. They ask more questions, communicate more confidently, build friendships and develop a growing desire to do things independently.

At JoyKids International Preschool, our Nursery Programme builds upon this natural curiosity through meaningful, engaging and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

As part of the JoyKids Early Years Programme, children learn through Integrated Thematic Learning, Montessori-inspired experiences, purposeful play, inquiry and hands-on exploration, while progressively developing stronger foundations in literacy, numeracy, communication and understanding of the world.

This is where children begin moving from simply exploring their world to actively making connections and discovering how it works.

Discover the IB PYP Pathway

Connect & Develop

At Nursery age, children’s worlds are expanding.

They begin connecting:

  • words with meaning
  • numbers with quantities
  • questions with discoveries
  • experiences with ideas
  • actions with consequences
  • themselves with others

Our educators create learning experiences that help children make these connections naturally.

Rather than learning through isolated activities, children explore meaningful themes that connect language, mathematics, science, creativity, social development and everyday life.

The goal is to help children understand not only what they are learning, but gradually begin discovering why and how.

Explore Pre-Nursery

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GBIS Programme of Inquiry 2026/2027
Transdisciplinary Themes

Who We Are

An inquiry into:

  • the nature of the self; beliefs and values;
  • personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health;
  • human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures;
  • rights and responsibilities;
  • what it means to be human.

Where We Are in Time and Place

An inquiry into:

  • orientation in place and time;
  • personal histories;
  • homes and journeys;
  • the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind;
  • the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

How We Express Ourselves

An inquiry into:

  • the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values;
  • the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity;
  • our appreciation of the aesthetic.

How the World Works

An inquiry into:

  • the natural world and its laws
  • the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies
  • how humans use their understanding of scientific principles
  • the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and the environment

How We Organise Ourselves

An inquiry into:

  • the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities
  • the structure and function of organisations
  • societal-decision making
  • economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment
Timeline 17 August - 9 October12 October - 10 December5 January - 26 March29 March - 11 June
Kindergarten 1

Who We Are

Central Idea:
Everyday I learn more about myself

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. My physical, social, and emotional characteristics
  2. The way I am like others
  3. The ways I am growing and changing

Key Concepts:
Form, Connection, Perspective, Reflection

Related Concepts:
Identity, Relationships, Growth

ATL Skills:
Thinking, Self-Management

Learner Profile:
Reflective, Inquirer, Open-minded

How We Organise Ourselves

Central Idea:
Communities function more effectively when rules and routines are shared with all the members.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. Various communities we belong to
  2. Purpose of rules and routines
  3. How our choices affect ourselves and others

Key Concepts:
Form, Causation, Responsibility

Related Concepts:
Community, Roles, Cooperation

ATL Skills:
Communication, Thinking, Social

Learner Profile:
Principled, Thinker, Communicator, Balanced

How the World Works

Central Idea:
Transport uses different elements to help us move from one place to another.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. How we travel on land, water, and through air
  2. Similarities and differences between different types of transport
  3. Making use of transport

Key Concepts:
Function, Connection, Reflection

Related Concepts:
Observation, Classification, Movement

ATL Skills:
Thinking, Research, Communication

Learner Profile:
Communicator, Inquirer, Reflective
Kindergarten 2

Where We Are in Place and Time

Central Idea:
People's journeys help shape who they are and where they belong.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. Different kinds of journeys
  2. People have similarities and differences
  3. Changes over time

Key Concepts:
Change, Connection, Perspective

Related Concepts:
History, Place, Belonging

ATL Skills:
Research, Thinking, Communication

Learner Profile:
Open-minded, Inquirer, Reflective

How We Express Ourselves

Central Idea:
The arts help us to share our imagination and emotions.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. Different types of art
  2. Art helps us to understand our feelings and the feelings of others
  3. Ways to use imagination through the arts

Key Concepts:
Form, Reflection, Function

Related Concepts:
Expression, Creativity, Imagination

ATL Skills:
Thinking, Research, Communication

Learner Profile:
Open-minded, Reflective, Communicator

How the World Works

Central Idea:
People investigate and design solutions to solve problems.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. Properties of different materials
  2. Forces and movement
  3. Designing and improving solutions in daily life

Key Concepts:
Function, Change, Causation

Related Concepts:
Properties, Investigation, Innovation

ATL Skills:
Research, Thinking, Self-management

Learner Profile:
Open-minded, Reflective, Inquirer
Timeline 17 August - 18 September21 September - 30 October1 November - 10 December5 January - 26 February1 March - 16 April19 April - 11 June
Grade 1

How the World Works

An inquiry into how the Sun, Moon and stars can be observed in the sky, the patterns they show, and how people can use these observations to understand the world around them.

Central Idea:
The Sun, Moon and stars show patterns that help us understand the world around us.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. Observable features of the Sun, Moon and stars
  2. Patterns and changes in the sky
  3. How people observe and learn about the sky

Key Concepts:
Form, Change, Connection, Perspective

Related Concepts:
Patterns, Cycles, Observation, Space, Relationships, Time

ATL Skills:
Research, Observation, Thinking, Communication, Self-management

Learner Profile:
Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Communicators, Reflective

Who We Are

An inquiry into what makes each person unique, the qualities and abilities we have, and how the people around us help us feel a sense of belonging.

Central Idea:
People are unique and develop their sense of self through their relationships and experiences.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. The characteristics, interests and abilities that make us unique
  2. The people and experiences that are important to us
  3. How we can appreciate ourselves and others

Key Concepts:
Form, Perspective, Connection

Related Concepts:
Identity, Uniqueness, Belonging, Strengths, Abilities, Relationships, Differences

ATL Skills:
Self-management, Communication, Social, Thinking

Learner Profile:
Caring, Open-minded, Communicators, Reflective

Where We Are in Place and Time

An inquiry into how people travel from place to place, how transportation has changed, and how different forms of transportation help people move around their communities.

Central Idea:
People use different forms of transportation to move from place to place and connect with others.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. Different ways people travel
  2. How transportation has changed over time
  3. How transportation helps people in our community

Key Concepts:
Function, Change, Connection

Related Concepts:
Movement, Transportation, Communities, Travel, Technology, Innovation, Time

ATL Skills:
Thinking, Research, Communication, Social, Self-management

Learner Profile:
Inquirers, Thinkers, Communicators, Open-minded, Reflective

How We Organise Ourselves

An inquiry into the people, roles and routines that help our classroom, school and community work together.

Central Idea:
People have different roles and responsibilities that help communities work together.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. Our roles in different communities
  2. How routines and systems help us work together
  3. How we can contribute to our community

Key Concepts:
Function, Connection, Responsibility

Related Concepts:
Community, Roles, Responsibilities, Cooperation, Routines, Organization, Systems

ATL Skills:
Thinking, Communication, Social, Self-management, Research

Learner Profile:
Caring, Principled, Communicators, Thinkers, Inquirers

How We Express Ourselves

An inquiry into how people express their ideas, feelings and needs, and how we can use words, actions, sounds, images and symbols to communicate with others.

Central Idea:
People use different ways to express themselves and share meaning with others.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. Ideas, feelings and needs people communicate
  2. Different ways we can express ourselves
  3. How we understand messages from others

Key Concepts:
Form, Function, Connection

Related Concepts:
Communication, Expression, Symbols, Meaning, Interpretation, Relationships

ATL Skills:
Communication, Social, Thinking, Self-management

Learner Profile:
Communicators, Open-minded, Caring, Reflective
Grade 2

How We Express Ourselves

An inquiry into how people communicate, the different ways we share messages, and how we use symbols and gestures to express meaning.

Central Idea:
People use a variety of verbal and non-verbal methods to communicate.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. Why people communicate
  2. Different ways people communicate
  3. How symbols and gestures communicate meaning

Key Concepts:
Form, Function, Connection

Related Concepts:
Expression, Symbols, Interpretation, Relationships

ATL Skills:
Communication, Social, Thinking, Self-management

Learner Profile:
Communicator, Open-minded, Caring, Reflective

Who We Are

An inquiry into what makes us unique, how the people and experiences around us help us grow, and how we celebrate ourselves and others.

Central Idea:
Our identity continues to grow through our experiences and relationships.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. The different parts that make up our identity
  2. How relationships and experiences influence our identity
  3. How we celebrate and appreciate our own and others’ identities

Key Concepts:
Form, Connection, Perspective

Related Concepts:
Uniqueness, Strengths, Abilities

ATL Skills:
Self-management, Communication, Thinking

Learner Profile:
Caring, Open-minded, Principled

Where We Are in Place and Time

An inquiry into how transportation changes the way people connect with places and each other.

Central Idea:
Transportation changes how people connect with places and each other.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. Different forms of transportation.
  2. How transportation has changed over time.
  3. How transportation affects communities.

Key Concepts:
Function, Change, Connection

Related Concepts:
Systems, Networks, Communities, Innovation

ATL Skills:
Thinking, Research, Communication, Social, Self-management

Learner Profile:
Inquirers, Thinkers, Communicators, Open-minded, Reflective

How We Organise Ourselves

An inquiry into the systems that organise communities and the roles people play in helping them function effectively.

Central Idea:
Communities create systems to help people live and work together.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. Different systems that exist in communities
  2. How systems help people meet their needs
  3. How people contribute to successful systems

Key Concepts:
Function, Connection, Responsibility

Related Concepts:
System, Organization, Cooperation, Roles, Responsibilities

ATL Skills:
Thinking, Research, Self-management, Social, Communication

Learner Profile:
Inquirers, Principled, Thinkers, Caring, Communicators

How the World Works

An inquiry into how the Sun, Moon, and Earth are connected, how they affect our lives, and how people learn about space.

Central Idea:
The Sun, Moon and Earth work together in ways that influence life on our planet.

Lines of Inquiry:
  1. The relationship between the Sun, Moon and Earth
  2. How the Sun and Moon influence life on Earth
  3. How humans are using space knowledge in daily life

Key Concepts:
Connection, Function, Causation, Change

Related Concepts:
Systems, Cycles, Patterns, Space, Relationships

ATL Skills:
Research, Thinking, Communication, Social

Learner Profile:
Knowledgeable, Reflective, Communicators, Inquirers

Discover More.

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