Early Years at Dover Court: A Place to Belong, Explore and Grow

At Dover Court International School, our Early Years programme is deeply committed to creating a warm, connected, and purposeful environment. These early years are a time of incredible growth, and we believe that children thrive when they feel safe, known and confident.

That’s why we’ve created The NEST – our dedicated Early Years programme that stands for Nurturing Early Success Together. The NEST provides a gentle, nurturing start to school life, with a strong focus on emotional well-being, connection, and foundational learning. It’s a space where children feel safe to explore, express themselves, and build the confidence they need to take their first steps into a vibrant learning journey.

Early Years at Dover Court is a place where our youngest learners are encouraged to develop their sense of identity and belonging. It’s where they begin to spread their wings and take flight, supported by educators who see them as capable, curious, and resilient individuals. Each child brings their own interests, questions, and ways of seeing the world, and we honour that by creating opportunities for exploration, enquiry, and collaboration.

As Luna Deller, Deputy Head of Primary for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Years 1 and 2, explains: “Play is essential for children as it helps them understand the world around them. In our Reggio-inspired Early Years classes, we combine a well-established EYFS curriculum with a purposely exploratory environment where children can learn through play. They are encouraged to ask questions and experiment in ways that matter to them. While it may look like simple play, these activities are carefully planned to help children learn and grow through creativity and exploration.”

Whether building with large loose parts in our atelier or exploring nature in the sensory garden, children engage with their surroundings in thoughtful and imaginative ways. These experiences foster independence, confidence, and a genuine love of learning.

Our educators play a vital role in this journey. They are thoughtful, inclusive and passionate facilitators who work closely with children, families and colleagues to create a supportive learning culture. By observing and responding to each child’s interests and developmental needs, they design meaningful experiences that inspire curiosity, collaboration and growth. With kindness, patience and enthusiasm, they help children feel seen, heard and valued - laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

Starting school can be a significant step, which is why we’ve created a unique Stay and Play admissions model. This gentle introduction allows young learners to experience our nurturing environment directly, while also giving our educators the chance to understand each child beyond what an application form reveals. It’s a process that helps us understand how each child learns best, enabling us to personalise their journey from the very start.

For families, Stay and Play offers a valuable opportunity to see how their child responds to the school setting. It’s a chance to ask questions, observe, and feel confident that Dover Court is the right fit. We know that choosing a school is a big decision, and we want parents to feel informed and supported every step of the way.

Early Years at Dover Court International School in Singapore is more than just the beginning of school – it’s the beginning of a lifelong journey of discovery, belonging and growth.