At St Andrews, we understand that the first few years of a child’s education are some of the most important. For our Early Years Foundation Stage (FS1 to FS3) children aged 2 to 5 years old, we are committed to creating a nurturing, safe, and stimulating environment where they feel valued, secure, and excited to learn.
While St Andrews is a well-established international school with extensive facilities and a vibrant community, we intentionally design our Foundation Stage to feel like a small school within a bigger school, tailored to the needs of our youngest learners.
A purpose-built early years environment
Our Foundation Stage has dedicated areas within the campus, carefully designed to suit the developmental needs of each year group: FS1, FS2, and FS3. These separate spaces allow our children to settle in comfortably, explore freely, and grow in confidence without being overwhelmed by the busyness of the larger school.
Bright, spacious classrooms open into shared outdoor learning areas, where play and exploration are encouraged through activities such as water play, sand trays, climbing structures, gardening spaces, and creative zones. These areas are designed to support physical development, curiosity, and collaborative play, essential building blocks in the early years.
A close-knit team of specialist educators
One of the hallmarks of our Early Years is the strong relationships built between teachers, children, and families. Our experienced and caring staff take the time to get to know each child as an individual, understanding their unique interests, personalities, and learning styles.
With a low adult-to-student ratio – approximately 1:6 in FS1 and 1:10 in FS3 – our students receive the essential attention, support, and encouragement they need to thrive. Teachers act not only as educators but also as trusted adults who help children feel safe, heard, and included every day.
Home Visits and personalised transitions
To support a calm and confident start to school life for our youngest learners who are about to begin their learning journey in FS1, St Andrews offers Home Visits. These informal, 30-minute visits take place in the child’s home during the first week of term and allow teachers to meet each child in a familiar and relaxed environment.
This personal touch helps build early bonds, ease separation anxiety, and make the first days of school less daunting.
A curriculum rooted in play and discovery
Our Early Years curriculum follows the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, offering a balance of structured learning and child-led exploration. From the very start, children are encouraged to be curious, imaginative, and independent learners.
In small groups, they explore early maths and literacy concepts, engage in creative arts, and build key social skills through purposeful play. Our rich programme also includes specialist lessons in PE, music, and library, all delivered in a way that is age-appropriate, interactive, and joyful.
Smooth integration with the wider school
While Early Years has its own distinct identity, it remains connected to the rest of the Primary School and wider St Andrews community in developmentally appropriate ways. For example, our youngest learners may visit the library, attend special events like the Marble Run Expo, or take part in school-wide events such as International Day, Book Day, or Sports Day with gentle support from their teachers.
These experiences expose younger children to older students in a manageable, non-overwhelming manner, fostering a sense of belonging and pride while still enjoying the comfort of their small, familiar setting.
Starting at St Andrews in Early Years allows students to continue their learning journey through to graduation in Year 3, which reduces the stress of searching for and adjusting to new schools at different transition points, such as moving into Year 1 or starting High School in Year 7.
A focus on relationships and wellbeing
At the heart of our Early Years is a deep focus on emotional wellbeing. We prioritise creating a warm, respectful environment where every child feels known, listened to, and valued. Daily routines, visual timetables, and calm transitions help children feel secure and build confidence in themselves and their environment.
We also encourage strong connections with parents through regular communication, family events, and an open-door policy – it’s wonderful to regularly see parents at the Primary School.
Final thoughts
At St Andrews, we believe the best early years education happens when children feel happy, secure, and inspired. That’s why we’ve created an Early Years experience that feels like a small school within the wider, thriving community of St Andrews. We look forward to welcoming your family and beginning this special journey together.
