Your child’s very first steps into education should feel secure, inspiring and full of wonder. Whether this is their first classroom experience or their first time in an international school, our Early Years School bridges purposeful, play-based discovery with the structured beginnings of the British curriculum, building independence and confidence from day one.
Early Years at a Glance
- Ages: 3-6 (Nursery, Reception and Year 1)
- Class Sizes: Small, low-ratio class settings designed to ensure consistent individual attention
- Language of Instruction: English (with comprehensive English as an Additional Language support)
Taking the First Step
Our Classes and Curriculum
Our Early Years curriculum is built entirely around your child’s evolving developmental milestones. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for England, which holds the highest global standards for early learning, health and safety. As your child grows, we seamlessly bridge their progress into Key Stage 1 (KS1) standards, creating a continuous, uninterrupted learning journey.
Nursery (Ages 3-4)
A gentle introduction to school life. In our Nursery classes, we focus on exploring the world through hands-on exploration, storytelling, art, music and outdoor activities. This way, children naturally establish daily routines, build social skills and grow in confidence.
Reception (Ages 4-5)
As children move into Reception, they engage in more structured learning experiences – while continuing to be guided through play. Focus areas include literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world around them.
Year 1 (Ages 5-6)
Year 1 marks the beginning of Key Stage 1, where children gently transition into a more formal learning environment in a familiar setting. Teachers blend structured learning with hand-on activities to ensure learning remains fun and developmentally appropriate.
Curriculum Highlights
Beyond the standard curriculum, our children’s learning is enriched through hands-on Forest School sessions, specialist-led Music lessons and physical enrichment like FitNut, ballet and sports. To honour our location, both English and Dutch are taught as additional languages, with native Dutch support for bilingual homes.
New Adventures
A Typical Day
A reassuring daily routine gives our youngest learners a vital sense of security and confidence. Every session is carefully balanced with active child-led play, creativity and outdoor discovery.
Play with Purpose
A World of Learning Through Play
In Early Years, hands-on play is essential for children’s development. When children play, they learn – joyfully.
At The British School of Amsterdam, we provide a safe space for children to “learn through doing”, helping them to make sense of the world around them as active thinkers and learners. Such self-directed exploration becomes the foundation for a love for learning.
Our Environment
Spaces Made to Inspire
Our Early Years spaces are designed with intention, housed within our purpose-built campus in the heart of Amsterdam.
Surrounded by natural light and thoughtfully-selected materials, our classrooms offer a calm and safe backdrop for young minds to discover, play and create. From specialist teaching rooms to outdoor exploration in our Forest School, children can explore without limits.
