Managing change in an early years international setting in Beijing

From England to China Principal of an Early Years setting Early years author Dedicated to a play based curriculum Involved in setting up of EYFS as a means of best practice Some international consultancy in Maldives,Germany and Japan Offered challenge of bringing best practice into large early years department of an international school

Curriculum Provision in Sep 2007 Best early years practice, based on Montessori philosophy, is followed in the foundation stage. This also includes a bi- lingual setting which focuses on both Chinese and English language

The Early Years Department Montessori 1-5 years provision Montessori KS1 ENC KS1 Chinese teacher trained assistants Montessori trained staff Minimum of 40 different nationalities represented amongst the children

The curriculum Became evident that 2 parallel curriculums were not successful and children were not at an appropriate level to move to KS1 ENC in the school.Different expectations

Proposed early years curriculum Foundation stage play based curriculum incorporating best practice model from EYFS KS1 ENC

Challenges One child family policy encourages different expectations Training of Chinese teachers and experience in a more formal setting Importance of absorbing the Chinese culture and offer a English based curriculum in an international school Ayi culture Perception of play Isolation and lack of other similar settings as models of best practice Lack of extended family for international children Family focus for Chinese children Beijing weather!!!

Implementation in 2007/08 Development plan shared with all practitioners based on assessment, literacy, outdoor environment,performance management and curriculum change Job Plans Focused training and meeting of Chinese teachers EYFS/ENC training Encouraging staff to visit best practice settings Develop shared philosophy with Montessori i.e. observations of children, outdoor environment Observation of staff Developing an understanding of Chinese culture

Best Practice Curriculum Implementation 2008/09 Creation of a play based foundation stage KS1 ENC curriculum with an emphasis on active learning Specially designed setting Respect and absorption of culture and bi-lingualism Training and mentoring of class teams,Focus on reflection Family centre to welcome Ayis Seeking links in China and internationally to share best practice Encourage understanding of the research and theory behind children’s learning to result in more effective observation, planning and evaluation Development of child and peer observations as a means of reflection Develop use of art specialist to encourage a Reggio Emilio approach