Welcome to the Early Years section of our website. At Harrow we believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support to fulfill their potential. The early years of a child’s education is a unique period of time and their experiences during this crucial stage of development has a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in it’s own right, and it provides the foundation for children to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.
When parents choose an Early Years centre, they want to know that their children will be safe and will thrive. Harrow International School, Early Years Centre provides a safe and secure environment in which very young children can grow and learn. Our staff are responsible for ensuring the development and learning for the children in their care by fostering positive, respectful and supportive relationships with both children and parents. The centre houses a crèche (for babies and toddlers, 0-2.6yrs), the Pre-K year group (children aged 2.6 – 3 years), the K1 year group, (children aged 3-4 years) and the K2 year group (children aged 4-5 years). We follow the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, (the EYFS), which provides guidance on the learning and development for children aged from birth to five years old. 
In the Early Years Centre, children’s learning experiences are encouraged and developed across a wide range of provision areas, both indoors and outdoors. In addition to the crèche area and classrooms the centre houses it’s own dining room, sleep room, music room, soft play room, multi-purpose room (for PE, games, assemblies and meetings), a Thai cultural room and large outdoor areas with sandpits, water play areas and a range of adventure playground equipment for each age group. Children’s learning areas are large, well planned and appropriate to the age and needs of the children. Classrooms are set up to encourage young children’s natural play behaviour and allow free access to a wide range of resources. Throughout the week children experience a balance of opportunities to learn, through their own initiated play in the provision areas continuously available to them and through adult lead class or group activities. This balance changes as children mature and move through from crèche to Pre-K and then K1 to K2. Developing learning needs are taken into consideration with regards to environment, resources, challenges set and daily routines. For more information on each year group, please access the links below.
Assessment and information regarding your child’s progress through the Early Years curriculum takes the form of a Progress record which is started in Pre-K and built on during K1 and K2. The record tracks your child’s progress as they work towards achieving the early learning goals. Teachers use observational assessment to gauge a child’s level of development and understanding. The record is a picture of what a child has achieved, knows and can do. The record contains termly comments in the areas of learning and development, photographs of your child at work and play in the school environment, and pieces of work. This form of assessment not only keeps you up to date with your child’s progress, but also informs the teacher’s planning and ensures that each child’s learning experiences are based on individual needs. At the end of their K2 year, each child’s level of development is recorded against the 13 assessment scales derived from the EYFS curriculum’s Early Learning Goals. This written summary is added to the progress record and also passed on to their new Y1 teacher.
Parents are also kept informed via fortnightly year group newsletters and communication diaries. At Harrow we recognise the important role that parents play in their child’s education and that strong links between home and school contribute positively to a child’s progress.
Here at Harrow Early Years Centre, we aim to meet the needs of all our children by planning opportunities that build upon and extend children’s knowledge, experience and interests whilst developing their self esteem and confidence in a fun, caring and happy environment.
