EarlyChildhoodCenter
WelcometotheECC!
We are a preschool that focuses on the development of the whole child by promoting and incorporatingplay-basedlearninginallagegroupseachday.
We provide a safe, inclusive, warm, and engaging learning environment foreachchildinour care WefollowtheNorwegianFrameworkPlan(NFP)forKindergartensandtheIB’sthePrimary YearsProgramme(PYP).
Thisguideismeanttoanswersomeofthemostfrequentlyaskedquestionsweencounterfrom newmembersofthecommunity,butit’sagoodreminderforourreturningfamilies,too. �� You willfindinformationaboutourroutines,practices,andcurriculuminformation,aswellasour expectationsforpositiveinteractionsandcollaborationwithandamongparents.
Weaimtohelpourstudentsdevelopintoconfidentandcaringcitizensoftheworldbyputting ISB’sCoreValuesofCommunity,Integrity,Respect,andResponsibilityintopracticethroughout theECC.Youcanfindmoreinformationaboutourschool’smission,corevalues,beliefsand objectivesintheISB Handbookandonourschoolwebsite
Yourchild’steachersarewonderfulsourcesofinformationand guidance,sopleasefeelencouragedtoaskanylingeringquestions youmayhavetoanyofusontheECCteam
AlyssaDyrdal,ECCPrincipal
ECCGroupings
Weadaptourclassesaccordingtotheagesofchildrenatthebeginningoftheacademicyear. Forschoolyear2024/25wehave4classesandeachclasshasaHomeroomTeacherwhois themaincontactpersonforyourchild.
Preschool1&2Star ⭐
Homeroomteacher:IrynEllaJensen Teachingassistants:AynigarHamitandMelissaBernaldLaufer
Fromleft:Melissa,IrynandAynigar.
Preschool2Sun ��
Homeroomteacher:MiriamGrauf Teachingassistants:RosieBjerkestrand
Fromleft:MiriamandRosie.
Preschool3Moon��
Homeroomteacher:TorillStenseth Teachingassistants:SnehaPahrek
Fromleft:TorillandSneha
Preschool4&Kindergarten ��
Homeroomteacher:YutongPu
Preschoolteacher:VivienHerbrich Teachingassistants:AniaNowakandAmritaVarma
Fromleft:Vivien,Amrita,AniaandYutong.
Substitutes
Therearetimeswhenourstaffaresickandweneedtoemploysubstitutes.TheECChas developedandusesourownprivatesublist,whereweknoweachsubstitutewellandare intentionalaboutwhocomesintoourenvironment.Allsubstitutesmustprovideapolice certificatepriortocommencingemployment Wewilldoourbesttoinformyouwhenweuse substitutes. Westrivenottousenewsubstituteswiththeyoungestchildren.
Interns
Throughouttheyear,theECCwelcomesinternsfromaroundtheworldtoourschool.Theyare completingpartsoftheirteachingpracticeandusuallystaywithusforaminimumof3 months. Priortostartingtheirinternship,internsarerequiredtosignadeclarationconfirming theyhavereadandagreetotheChildProtectionandConfidentialityPolicyinadditionto supplyingafullPoliceClearance.Wehavehadverypositiveexperiencestakinginternships fromtheErasmusprogramme,whichfurthersourinterestsinprovidingadiverseandinclusive teachingandlearningenvironmentbywelcominginternsfromotherEuropeancountries.
SchoolDay
Openinghours: 7:30-16:30
Corelearningtime: 9:00-15:00
Supervision: 7:30-9:00and15:00-16:30
Weliketoencourageparentstobringtheirchildfor09:00toensurethatchildrencan participateintheirclassesdailycircletime. Duringthistimethehomeroomteacherprepares thechildrenforthedayaheadandtakestheregister. Thisisanexcellentopportunityforthe childrentocommunicate,sharenews,andfosterasenseofcommunitywithintheclassroom.
TheStarandSunclasses(Pre1&2andPre2)collaborateandfollowseparateroutinesadjusted tothechildren'sageandneeds.Theirsupervisiontakesplaceinadesignatedareaadjustedto atoddler'sneeds Theyhavetheirownsleepingareaoutside,wheretheyaresafeguardedbya memberofstaffatalltimes.Moredetailswillbeprovidedbyyourchild'shomeroomteacherat thebeginningoftheschoolyear
FieldTrips/CommunityWalks
Onadesignateddayeveryweek,eachclasswillgoonacommunitywalkaroundthe neighbourhood Someexamplesofplacestheyvisitincludetheforest,thesupermarket, nearbyplaygrounds,andthelake.
Fromtimetotime,classesmaygoonfieldtripstoplacesrelatedtotheircurrentunitofinquiry Examplesofthesetripsincluderidesonthelightrailtrain(Bybane)toplacesliketheaquarium, Vilvite,alocalfarm,ortheartmuseum
ClassroomEnvironment
SettlingIn
Startingatanewpreschoolcanbehardforsomechildrenandfamilies,whileothersmakethe transitioneasily Weknowthatchildrenneedtofeelsafeandcomfortableinordertosettlein, andtheycanonlydoso whentheyarewithadultstheyknow,trust, andhaveapositive relationshipwith.Weadaptthesettlinginperiodtomeettheneedsoftheindividualchild, knowingthatsomewillsettlequicklyandothersmightneedsomemoretime.Wewillworkin closecollaborationwithparentsandcaregiversinordertodeterminethebestpossible transitioninourECC Werecommendthatallchildrenhavearelaxedstarttotheirtimeinthe EarlyChildhoodCenter,withshorterdaysfor thefirstweeks.
Indoorsandoutdoors
TheEarlyChildhoodCenterplacesastrongemphasisontheimportanceofhavingapositive learningandplayenvironmentthatisnurturing,warm,andinclusive.Throughvariouslearning andplayactivities,childrendevelopskillstopromotesocialcompetence,focusingonthecore areasofempathy,self-regulation(impulsecontrolandemotionalregulation),andsocial problem-solving
We are highly focused on preventative bullying strategies and helping students develop a variety of relationship skills, includingstrategiesformakingandkeepingfriendsandstepsfor joiningagroupactivity.
Clothing,Footwear, andFood
Itisimportantthatchildrenhavethenecessaryclothingandfootwearsothattheycan participateinallactivities,bothindoorsandoutside.Thesearethingsthatwehighly recommendyourchildhasonadailybasisattheECC Westronglyrecommendlabellingall yourchild’sgearwiththeirnameinordertoavoidlosingormisplacingyourchild’sclothing, footwear,lunchboxesandwaterbottles Thereareseveralcompaniesthatspecialisein printingsuchlabels.Feelfreetoaskastaffmemberifyouareunsure,butaquicksearchfor “navnelapper”willpointyouintherightdirection
Indoor
Early Childhood Centre Supply List 2024 - 2025
Please label all clothing and personal items
• Lunch box with reusable child-friendly containers for food (preferably separate containers for morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack)
• Water bottle
• Indoor shoes (velcro fastening recommended)
• Two full sets of clothes to be kept at ECC
Part of ECC’s daily routine is outdoor playtime in all types of weather
Summer
• Light rain gear (jacket & pants) and lighter rain boots
• Fleece jacket/jumper or wool jumper
• Sun screen
• Hat/Cap
• Light footwear
Mid-season
• Rain gear (jacket & pants) and rain boots
• Fleece or wool jacket/jumper
• Snow suit, warm boots, lightweight hat or headband that covers the ears and mittens
Winter
• Snow suit, warm boots, hat and mittens
• Lined rain gear (jacket & pants) or rain gear (jacket & pants) + a full mid-layer set and lined rain boots
• Two sets of gloves
• Buff or high collar
• Hat Preschool 1 & 2 (in addition to the items above):
• Diapers and wet wipes
• Two extra bodies/sets of underwear
• Stroller, sleeping bag (warm), blanket
• Stuffed animal for naptime if needed
Please pay attention to the condition of outdoor clothing at the end of each week, as they might need to be taken home to be cleaned and dried.
For hygiene purposes, all outdoor clothing and accessories should be taken home for school closures.
Meals
Breakfast(ifeatingintheECCbefore08:20),morningsnack,lunch,andafternoonsnackare providedbythestudent’sfamily Weencourageallfamiliestoprovidehealthymealsfortheir childrentoenjoy.Please donotsendchocolateoranychocolateitems/cakes/sugarysnacks inlunchboxes Youcan readmoreabouttheimportanceofhealthyandnutritiousmealsfor preschoolchildrenhere.
Itcanbechallengingtothinkofdifferentfooditemsforyourchild'ssnacks/lunchesespeciallyif youhavearrivedfromanothercountry.Agoodtipistoaimtoeatarainbow!Provideavariety ofcolours,textures,andflavoursforyourchildasoftenaspossible Ifyourchildneedsitems cut,pleasetrytosendthemreadytoeat.Asmallfoodthermosisagreatwaytosendawarm lunchwithyourchild
Hereisalistofsuggestionsthatmaybeofusetoyou Itisbynomeanscomplete,butmeantto provideinspirationforyourfamily,whateverdietaryneedsyoumayhave.
��Fruits:apple(slicedorwhole),banana,pear,kiwi,berries,melon,seasonalfruit,grapes
��Driedfruits:raisins,apricots
��Vegetables:carrots,cucumbers,tomatoes,bellpeppers
��Cheese:stringcheese(skrellamozzarella),Babybel,cheesesticks
��Yogurt
��Egg(e.g.,boiled,fried,scrambled,omelette)
��Sandwichesorwrapswithvariedtoppings(e.g.,turkey,ham,chicken,fish,cheese, peanutbutter,jam,brunost,leverpostei,egg)
��Pasta(eg,withbutter,pesto,cheese,spaghetti)
��Rice(e.g.,withvegetables,beans,legumes)
��Pancakes,waffles
��Ricecakes,crispbread(knekkebrød),crackers
��Porridge/cereal(eg oatmealorriceporridge)
��Fishcakes,sausages
��Leftoversfromdinnerthenightbefore(eg,pizza,rice/grains,soup,noodles,fish)
BirthdayTreat
Whenitisyourchild'sbirthdaythenweallowyoutobringasmalltreat(fruit,icecream,biscuit) foryourchildtosharewiththeotherstudentsintheirclass Wewillcelebrateyourchild’s birthdaywithaspecialbirthdaycrownandsong.
Sickness
Sicknessisanaturalpartofchildhood,andaregularoccuranceinanearlychildhoodcare setting IntheECC,wehavegoodhandwashingroutinesinplace Thechildrenwashtheir handsbeforeandaftereverymeal,andofcourseafterusingthetoilet.Thispreventsalotof sicknessamongthechildren,butitcertainlydoesnotpreventeverything
Whenyourchildgetssick,theirgeneralconditiondetermineswhetherornottheyshouldstay athome.Asarule,yourchildshouldbefeverfreeandwellenoughtoparticipateinanentire dayofactivities-includingoutdoorplaytime.
Childrenwithdiarrhoeaand/orvomitingwillbesenthomeimmediately.Theycanreturntothe ECCafterbeingsymptomfreefor2daysandfeverfreefor1entireday.
TheEarlyChildhoodCenterfollowstheNorwegianInstituteofPublicHealthGuidelinesforsick children.Youcanreadmoreinformationaboutvariousillnessesandfindadviceonwhetheror nottosendyourchildtopreschoolontheNIPHwebsite
AdministrationofMedicines
Ideally,medicineshouldbeadministeredoutsideofECChourswheneverpossible.If medicationmustbegivenduringtheECCday,parentsmustcompletethemedicine authorizationformandanexplanationtothehomeroomteacherofhowitshouldbe administered
Iodinetabletsintheeventofanuclearaccident
Iodinetabletsarestoredontheschoolpremises. IntheeventofaNuclearaccidentthat exposeschildrentoradioactiveiodine,itmaybeimportantthatthechildrenreceiveiodine tabletsimmediately
TheECCwillgivethechildreniodinetabletsonlyiftheCrisisCommitteeforNuclear Preparednessrecommendsthatiodinetabletsshouldbeadministered. Parentsmustnotify theECCPrincipal/homeroomteacherifyouDONOTwantyourchildtoreceiveaniodinetablet
IndividualNeeds
Aimingforaninclusiveandwarmlearningandplayenvironmentalsomeansmakingsurethat individualneedsaremet DiversityisanimportantandvaluablepartofourECCenvironment
In the Early Childhood Center, we aim to ensure that students with individual needs achieve their potential through differentiation by adjusting oureducationalprogrammes,thePYPand the NFP, to the child's needs Whenachildoragroupofchildrenneedextendedsupportand extra resources, we collaborate and receive support from The Educational-Psychological Service, the health services for children and other support services (all part of Bergen Kommune),todevelopappropriateprogrammesandensurehigh-qualitystudentsupport.
ChildProtection
Ourstudents’welfareandsafetyareattheheartofourschool’sethosandineverythingwedo. Inlinewithourpolicy,wehaveadedicatedChildProtectionOfficer
Fortheschoolyear2024-2025,ISB’sChildProtectionOfficerisPaulaBlom-Andersen In collaborationwiththeChildProtectionteam(Director,Principals,schoolnurseandcounsellors) shecoordinatesmeasuresandhasanoverviewofchildprotectionintheschool
Parents,schoolemployeesandstudentsareencouragedtotalktotheChildProtectionOfficer oranyothermemberoftheChildProtectionTeamiftheyhaveanyconcerns.
GDPR
TheECChasadutytoensurethatpersonaldataissatisfactorilysecuretoavoidviolationsof theprivacyofemployees,children,andparents. Personaldatawillnotbestoredanylonger thannecessary.
StudentRecords
Only authorised school personnel and a student’s parents can access a student’s records. Permission will be sought from parents for the transfer of records to another school Parents whowouldlikeaccesstotheirchild'srecordsmaycontacttheECCprincipal.
PhotographsofChildren
Werequireconsentfromparentstousephotographsofchildren Theconsentformispartof the"StudentDataForm"onOpenApply,andiscompletedduringtheenrollmentprocess.
Parent-TeacherCommunication
CommunicationbetweenparentsandtheECCtakesplaceinseveraldifferentways.Belowisa breakdownofourcommunicationchannels,butyouwillseethatwealsovaluedaily face-to-faceinteractionsduringdropoffandpickuptimewhenthesituationallowsforit.
YoucanalsofindinformationonthenoticeboardsintheECCwhereyourchild’sworkis displayed,informationaboutdailyroutinesisposted,andavisualupdateofthecurrent staffingsituation(includingsubstitutesandinterns).
Ifthereareanychangesinyourchild'sfamilyrelationship,livingsituationorhealth,parentsare obligedtonotifytheclassteacherorECCprincipal.Formorepressingorserioussituations, pleaseletusknowifyouneedameetingandwewillsetofftimeforyou
Toddle
ToddleisthemainavenueofcommunicationwithourfamiliesintheECC.Toddleisthe applicationwhereyoucanmessagestaffmembers,recordabsences,andfollowyourchild's learningjourney.ThroughweeklypedagogicaldocumentationviaToddle,ourfamiliesare invitedtocommunicate,observeandexperiencehowlearningandplaywithintheframework ofthesetwocurriculacontributetotheirchild'sdevelopment.Fornewfamilies, pleasefollow thislinkforparentinformationfromtheToddleadministrators AccesstoToddlewillbe providedwhenyourchildstartstheECC.
ISB’sWeeklyNewsletterOrcaSplash
TheOrcaSplashistheschool’sweeklynewsletterandit’sanimportantpieceof communicationtostaycurrentwith.ItwillbesentouteveryFridayandwillconveyinformation onwholeschoolevents,aswellasgiveinsighttotheotherareasofourschool
OpenApply&Vigilo
OpenApplyisourstudentdataplatformwhereparentsprovideallpersonaldataandcontact informationfortheirchild(ren). Parentswillhavealoginforthisplatformpriortoenrollment whentheyappliedforaplaceintheECC Informationonthisplatformaboutchildren’shealth anddataisconfidential.Therearerestrictionsonaccesstotheinformation.
VigiloistheadministrativeplatformusedinBergenKommune.Itisusedforpreschool applicationsandplacements,andtheECCusesitside-by-sidewithOpenApplyaspartofour enrollmentprocess.
Parent-TeacherConferences
Theparent-teacherconferencesplayanimportantroleinprovidinginformationtoparents regardingtheirchild'sdevelopment,strengthsandgoals Theparent-teacherconferencesare scheduledinOctober-NovemberandApril-May.
Parentscanalsoarrangetomeetwiththehomeroomteacher,specialistteachersortheECC principalatanypointduringtheschoolyeartodiscusstheirchild’sdevelopment,progressor otherissues.Wealwaysaccommodateparentrequestsformeetings.
ParentInformationMeeting
Allparentsareinvitedtoaparentinformationmeetingatthebeginningofanewschoolyear. Thefirstpartofthismeetingyouwillhavetheopportunitytomeetthewholeteachingteamof theECC,learnaboutthecurriculumandreceivegeneralinformation.
Thesecondpartwilltakeplacewithyourchild'shomeroomteacherandotherparentsinthe class Here,thehomeroomteacherwillexplainthedailyroutinefortheclassaswellasa clarificationofexpectations.Theywillalsosetasidetimetoansweranyquestionsparentsmay have
Inaddition,aclasscontactwillbechosenfortheschoolyear Theclasscontactwilltakepartin theCoordinatingEnvironmentCommitteeandisanimportantlinkbetweenparentsandthe school
ECCCoordinatingEnvironmentCommittee(ECCCEC)
TheECCCECconsistsofparentrepresentativesfromtheindividualclasses,ECCstaffmembers andtheECCprincipalrepresentingtheowner/ISB.Parentrepresentativesareelectedduring theparentinformationmeetingatthebeginningoftheschoolyear.
Toensurecomprehensivecommunicationandcollaboration,whereourfamilieshaveavoice andachancetocontributetotheECClearningandplayenvironment,weschedule3-4ECC CECmeetingsperschoolyear.
PlanningandCurriculum
AlleducationalworkisbasedontheNorwegianKindergartenAct,associatedwiththe InternationalBaccalaureate(IB)andtheNorwegianFrameworkPlanforKindergartens The ECCprovideseducationalactivitywhichisplanned,documented,andassessed.
TheECChasanannualplanandprogrammeofinquirywhichareworkingtoolsforallstaff, informationforparents,BergenKommune,ownerandstakeholders
ECCStaffCollaboration
To ensure that we provide a high quality learning and play programme,weoperatewithina highly collaborative environment Classroom teachers will meet once a week to align pedagogical goals and ensure participation in the larger school community. In addition, classroom team meetings are held once a week to address individualclassroomneedsand planfortheweekahead. Inthisway,weallworktowardscommoncurriculumgoalswithinthe NorwegianFrameworkPlanandthePYP,whilestillmeetingtheneedsoftheindividualchildand classroomenvironment
IBPrimaryYearsProgramme(PYP)
The PYP has recognition worldwide as a model of exemplary educational practice. Its philosophy is based on constructivist theories of learning,whichstatethatchildrenconstruct theirlearningfromwhattheyalreadyknowandcando.Studentsbuildtheirlearningbyfinding theanswerstoquestionstheyinquireinto Readmorehere
Theteachingapproachistransdisciplinarysothattraditionalsubjectsareintegratedintoone anothertohelpstudentsappreciatethattheworldisacomplexplace,inwhichitisimportant toseeconnections
ThePYPfocusesonfiveessentialelementsoflearning:
● Understandingofconcepts
● Acquisitionofknowledge
● Masteringofskills
● Developmentofattitudes
● Decisiontotakeaction
The knowledge component is developedthroughinquiriesintosixtransdisciplinarythemesof globalsignificance,supportedandbalancedbysixsubjectareas.
Thesixthemesare:
● Whoweare
● Whereweareintimeandplace
● Howweexpressourselves
● Howtheworldworks
● Howweorganiseourselves
● Howwesharetheplanet
Thesixsubjectareasinclude:
● Language
● SocialStudies
● Mathematics
● Arts(VisualArts,Music,andDrama)
● ScienceandTechnology
● Personal,SocialandPhysicalEducation
The IB/PYP is a concept-driven, holistic approach to education and consists of the Essential Elements:
● TransdisciplinarySkills
● Knowledge(TransdisciplinaryThemes/Traditionalsubjects)
● Concepts
● LearnerProfile
● Attitudes
● Action
TheIBLearnerProfileistheInternationalBaccalaureate’smissionstatementtranslatedinto learningoutcomes.Itisattheheartofthiscommonframeworkandanembodimentofwhat theIBmeansby“international-mindedness”.Theseidealsinspire,motivateandfocusthework ofschoolsandteachers,unitingtheminacommonpurpose.
UDIR:TheNorwegianFrameworkPlanforKindergartens
TheNorwegianFrameworkPlanforKindergartens-contentsandtasks,makeuponeoutoftwo managementtoolsintheECCandensurethatweworkinlinewiththeNorwegianKindergarten Actwhenaimingforahigh-qualitylearningandplayenvironmentforourstudents.The NorwegianFrameworkplanisalsoofferedasthemaincurriculumtoouryoungeststudentsin Preschool1&2andPreschool2.
ThePYPprogrammehasbeendevelopedtosupportstudentslearningandplayfromtheage of3,andfromtherebothcurriculamakeuptheframeworkforthestudents'learningandplay environment.
The Norwegian Framework Plan highlights the importance of our social mandate, where the plan describes nine key areas to ensure an inclusive, inspiring, andchallenginglearningand playenvironmentforallstudents.
Thekeyareasdescribe:
1. CoreValues
2 Rolesandresponsibilities
3. Objectivesandcontent
4. Children'sparticipation(agency)
5. Co-operationbetweenhomeandkindergarten
6. Transitions
7. Kindergartensasapedagogicalundertaking
8. Workingmethods(approachestoteachingandlearning)
9 Learningareas(subjectareas)
Thecorevalues,subjectareas,focusontransdisciplinarylearningandapproachestoteaching andlearningcomplywiththePYP;thereforeourPreschool1&2andPreschool2studentsalso playandlearninlinewiththePYPlearnerprofileandtheProgrammeofInquiry,adjustedto theirdevelopmentallevelandfocusingonagency.Thisensuresalignmentandprogression throughouttheirtimeintheECCandintoLowerschool
Calendar
TheECCfollowstheISBcalendar.Itisimportanttonoteschoolclosures(holidaysandstaff in-servicedays)andwhatthatmeansforECCstudents Holidaycampsareofferedatan additionalcostduringsomeschoolclosures,butareentirelydependentontheamountof childrenthatsignupfromECCandGrades1-4.Inordertobefinanciallysustainable,wecannot runthecampsiftherearenotenoughchildrensignedup.
International School of Bergen 2024 - 2025
Holidays. No school. Staff-in service days. No school. First/Last day of school. Holiday camp (# permitting).
