Early Childhood Centre Programs

The ECC programs at UNIS Hanoi provide for the needs of children aged between three to five years. Children of this age exhibit a natural desire to explore and a curiosity for the world around them. They have a need and desire to communicate and interact with others. The children are active learners participating fully in the learning process.

The programme is based on the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate Organisation Primary Years Programme (PYP) that offers an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. Children engage in a variety of integrated Units of Inquiry throughout the school year which provide learning experiences that connect all the learning strands of the UNIS Curriculum.

Within the classrooms there is a balance of whole group, small group and individual activity. Children are encouraged to actively explore the classroom materials and to interact with other children and adults to acquire both skills and knowledge. The children learn by being actively involved with their environment as they attempt to make sense of the world around them. They learn through play, as this is children’s work; it is how they learn and make sense of their world. The ECC provides a rich learning environment, which assists with development in literacy and numeracy. Children are actively involved in meaningful and functional language experiences as well as developing understandings into the patterns of mathematics through hands-on experiences using various manipulatives.

Two qualified and experienced educators, one expatriate teacher trained in Early Childhood Education and one Vietnamese assistant, lead each class. Class sizes are a maximum of 12 for 3 year olds, 16 for 4 and 5 year olds. Children also attend specialist lessons of Music, Physical Education and Art. Children attend Vietnamese and English as a Foreign Language depending on their language needs. The children have access to and visit the UNIS school library weekly for book exchange and an introduction to using libraries. They also have opportunity to explore computer technology.

Parent participation is valued and welcomed. Parents are encouraged to become involved as class volunteers, or to assist on an informal basis by accompanying classes on excursions and attending special functions or activities in the classroom.

The reporting process is through developmentally appropriate assessment in the form of a range of indicators and teacher comments, which are sent home in a report form twice a year. Parent-teacher conference occurs formerly once in the year and a student led conference also occurs once a year. Parents are also able to arrange times to meet with their class teacher at any time throughout the year.

The school day for children in the ECC begins at 8.10am and for 3 year olds finishes at 12 noon. For 4 and five year olds the school day concludes at 2.55pm.

The ECC is a safe and inviting environment that encourages communication and exploration. It provides children with both indoor and outdoor space where learning is enjoyable and where teacher and children are partners in open-ended discovery and problem solving.