IEYC

The International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) is an innovative research-based curriculum, recognizing global best practice and the developmental needs of 2-5 year olds. It supports key areas of learning through holistic enquiry and play-based approaches encompassing all curriculum areas including personal, social and emotional development.


All IEYC learning and development is underpinned by a set of four Learning Strands. Each Leaning Strand provides descriptions of what children will experience and learn about through contextualized activities woven into IEYC units of learning. The units of learning are high interest and carefully designed around a central theme, holistically linking all four Learning Strands to relevant and engaging activities that can be adapted and extended to meet individual needs. The units are based around exciting themes aimed to capture children’s natural curiosity.


The Learning Strands are:

  • Independence and interdependence
  • Communicating
  • Enquiring
  • Healthy living and physical well-being


The IEYC has eight Learning Principles, each conveying belief considered essential to children’s learning and development. These Learning Principles form the foundation of all IEYC policy and practice.


  1. The earliest years of life are important in their own right
  2. Children should be supported to learn and develop at their own unique pace.
  3. Play is an essential aspect of all children’s learning and development.
  4. Learning happens when developmentally-appropriate, teacher-scaffolded and child-initiated experiences harness children’s natural curiosity in an enabling environment.
  5. Independent and interdependent learning experiences create a context for personal development and are the foundation of international mindedness.
  6. Knowledge and skills development lead to an increasing sense of understanding when children are provided with opportunities to explore and express their ideas in multiple ways.
  7. Ongoing assessment, in the form of evaluation and reflection, is effective when it involves a learning-link with the home.
  8. Learning should be motivating, engaging and fun, opening up a world of wonder for children where personal interests can flourish.