Our Preschool and Prekindergarten shift to a multi-age program next academic year

Next year, we will be shifting our early years program from a grade-specific program to a multi-age program for our 3-5 year olds, Preschool and Prekindergarten only. With the new structure, there will be three multi-age sections, with approximately sixteen students each, one teacher and one teaching assistant. This would provide a 1:8 adult-child ratio in each class. The children’s ages will range from 2y11m to 4y10m within each section at the beginning of the school year. Each home group will aim to balance ages, gender, language and developmental needs (learning, socio-emotional, and physical) in order to maximize the benefits of a multi-age setting. 

The three multi-age sections will work closely together in a shared learning environment to support each child’s development. As a PYP school that implements developmentally-appropriate practice across all year levels, a multi-age setting recognizes and supports each child’s unique timeframe of development. As stated by the IB, “young learners are intelligent, resourceful and creative individuals who grow, develop and learn at different rates. They explore their environment and learn about their world through play and relationships with peers, teachers, family and community members. Early learning in the PYP is a holistic learning experience that integrates socio-emotional, physical and cognitive development. In the PYP classroom, it takes place in dynamic environments that promote play, discovery and exploration” (International Baccalaureate Organization, 2005).