Campuses

We run two Pre Schools, one in the city and one at our purpose-built Campus in Zekeriyaköy.

Etiler is for International children aged 2 ½ 4 to years old.
Zekeriyaköy is for Turkish children aged 2 ½ to 6 years old and International children aged 2 ½ to 4 years old.

After the age of 6, Turkish children with an additional passport can continue through our Primary School and Secondary School.

Opening hours

Half day 9:00hrs- 12:00hrs

Half day with lunch 9:00hrs- 13:00hrs

Full day 9:00hrs- 15:30hrs

Usually, children from 2 ½ years old to 3 years old in September stay half day only, children aged 3 to 3 ½ years old have the choice of staying half day or full day, and children over 3 ½ years old stay full day.

At the end of the day, or at lunchtimes, we offer clubs several days a week, for example Art Club, Drama Club, Music and Dance Club. These activities are organised on a 6 week rota.

Strong Foundations

Learning is encouraged through play. The teachers use a wide variety of teaching styles: whole class, small groups, pairs and individual teaching. They use a wide variety of resources to encourage children to participate and to be interested in their learning. This includes techniques of story telling, puppets, art and craft activities, songs and rhymes, puzzles, sand and water play, construction play and playing on outdoor equipment. The children visit the library once a week and take a book home.

The children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) from the UK. This covers six main areas of learning:

· Personal, Social and Emotional Development

· Communication, Language and Literacy

· Problem Solving Reasoning & Numeracy

· Knowledge and Understanding of the World

· Physical Development

· Creative Development


Safe and Sound

All campuses are guarded 24 hours a day. Parents will be given an ID card with their photograph on it. If you are not wearing your ID picture card, you will be asked to give ID in exchange for a pass when coming into the campuses. Notification will be required if there are any changes to the usual routine when picking up your child. The school will call you if the person collecting your child is not known to us. Please ensure that your mobile telephone number is up to date with our secretaries.

Health and Safety

Health and safety plays an important part in ensuring that our Pre Schools provide a safe environment for all.


Each campus has a Nurse present daily to answer any queries you have about your child’s health.


Activities and Routines

A typical day..............

09:00hrs Classroom activities

10:00hrs Sports lesson

10:30hrs Snack time

10:45hrs Playtime

11:00hrs Music lesson

11:30hrs Classroom activities

12:00hrs Lunch

12:30hrs Playtime outside

13:00hrs Turkish lesson (Zekeriyaköy)

13:30hrs Classroom activities

14:00hrs Snacktime

14:15hrs Playtime

14:30hrs Classroom activities

15:30hrs Home time


Nutritional information and Mealtimes

We believe that children should eat a balanced diet. Mealtimes are a time when a child’s social skills can be developed. The children are encouraged to help themselves to their own meals and drinks.

Snack times

· Seasonal fruit eg. banana, orange, apple or strawberries

· Poacha or simit.

Lunch, for example

· Meatballs, mashed potatoes and carrots

· Chicken snitzel, rice and corn

Every day there is also a vegetarian option.

Pudding

· Fruit yoghurt and a biscuit

· Fresh fruit

Drinks

Milk and water are available throughout the day.

Please inform us of any allergies or dietary requests. There are no nuts in our meals. The menu is sent to parents every month.

Special needs

The Class Teacher observes each child individually and checks that their progress is on track. If they have concerns about a child, they liaise with our Special Needs Consultant. We would then involve the parents and look at outside agencies if necessary.

Working with Parents

Leaving your child for the first time in Pre School can be a stressful time for both parent and child, so we try to make this as easy as possible. We offer an introductory morning in August where parents and children can meet their Class Teacher, after which we make a presentation informing parents about the details of the Pre School programme. In September when the children start school, we have a ‘Settling in Without Tears’ Policy. Here there are 3 steps for the child and parents to follow. The parents are asked to stay in the classroom until the child is ready to be left on their own.

The children have a Home-School Communication Book in their reading bag. This book is for the parent and Class Teacher to write notes regarding any issues about their child.

Parents Evenings are held in October and April which gives the parent and Class Teacher the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress, needs and development.

Reports are issued twice a year, in December and June, to inform parents about their child’s progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculumthat they are following.

We offer coffee mornings in the first week of every month. This is a time for parents to meet with the Pre & Primary School Directors to discuss any issues.

We have a very active Parents’ Association which regularly organises events to support both the school and chosen charities. The representatives liaise with existing and new parents. If you have any time to offer they would be very glad of the help.

Pre School Updates

For news and updates on Pre & Primary School activities, a monthly Newsletter is produced which details events that are taking place in the month ahead. The Class Teachers send out a letter at the beginning of every half term, informing parents what is happening in their classrooms. The Director of Communications also sends out a Parents’ Circular to inform parents of general information. All newsletters and circulars can be found on the School’s website at www.bis.k12.tr.

There are Parent Noticeboards in every campus where the newsletters, circulars, current letters and menu are displayed.

Uniform

We have a Pre School uniform. We feel that the uniform gives the children a sense of belonging to the school, it is practical and comfortable and easy to see when we are out on trips in the city. The uniform is an additional cost.

· Hooded navy blue tracksuit

· Navy blue dress

· Short or long sleeve white polo shirt

· Shorts

Bus service

We have a bus service which can take the children from home to school. All buses are fitted with seat belts and booster seats can be requested. All buses have a hostess to help your child on and off the bus. All drivers have mobile phones. The bus service is an additional cost.