The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) for Early Years provides a nurturing and stimulating environment where young children begin their journey as curious, confident, and independent learners. Designed for children aged 3 to 6, the programme encourages exploration through play, inquiry, and meaningful experiences that support the holistic development of every child. The programme promotes inquiry-based learning, allowing children to ask questions, investigate ideas, and actively participate in their learning journey.

The Early Years curriculum in Scottish High is guided by the six transdisciplinary themes of the PYP, helping children make connections between their learning and real-life experiences. These themes encourage students to explore their identities, relationships, creativity, communities, and the natural world in age-appropriate and meaningful ways.

A strong emphasis is placed on social and emotional well-being. Children are encouraged to develop confidence, empathy, respect, and independence while learning to collaborate and communicate effectively with others. The programme nurtures caring and open-minded individuals who value diversity and understand the importance of kindness and responsibility.

As an IB PYP Coordinator, I am committed to creating a safe, joyful, and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and inspired to learn. Our goal is to foster a lifelong love for learning while supporting each child’s academic, emotional, social, and physical growth during these formative years.

Ms. Seema Bhati, Primary School Director/PYP Coordinator

In the IB PYP Early Years, the focus is on nurturing conceptual understanding through meaningful, play-based learning experiences. At the heart of our approach lies the emotional, social, and physical well-being of every child, as we believe that children learn best when they feel safe, valued, heard, and happy within their environment. Once a strong sense of belonging and emotional security is established, learning unfolds naturally and joyfully.

Our Early Years classrooms are vibrant learning spaces where uninterrupted play, inquiry, symbolic exploration, and self-expression are meaningfully integrated into everyday experiences. Through thoughtfully planned provocations, engaging Units of Inquiry, field trips, and research opportunities both in school and at home, children develop essential skills, build knowledge, and make authentic connections with the world around them in meaningful and purposeful ways.

The programme encourages children to explore ideas through multiple modes of expression be it through art, movement, role play, storytelling, tinkering time, music, and collaborative discussions, allowing every learner to communicate and reflect in ways that are natural to them. These experiences foster curiosity, creativity, confidence, and independence from a very young age.

As the Initial School Head and Deputy PYP Coordinator- Early Years, I strive to create a nurturing environment where every child feels emotionally secure, socially connected, physically active, and intellectually engaged. By valuing play, inquiry, voice, and choice, we empower our young learners to grow into reflective, responsible, and compassionate individuals who are ready to embrace learning with enthusiasm and purpose.

Ms. Shivani Johri, Initial School Head/Deputy PYP Coordinator