At St. John’s, our Early Years Programme follows the British curriculum and is designed to nurture the cognitive, emotional, social, and linguistic development of young children. Through play-based inquiry, collaborative learning, and a bilingual approach, each group is supported according to age-appropriate milestones and educational goals.
In these initial stages, children are welcomed into a safe, nurturing environment that supports their first experiences of socialization, emotional expression, and independence. Through play, movement, storytelling, and sensory activities, they develop:
Language awareness (English immersion)
Gross and fine motor skills
Social interaction and empathy
Confidence and autonomy in daily routines
At this stage, children expand their vocabulary and comprehension in English while continuing to explore the world around them through hands-on learning experiences. The programme encourages:
Early phonological awareness
Pre-mathematical thinking
Artistic expression and music appreciation
Group collaboration and problem-solving
Infant 4 students begin a structured pre-literacy path in both English and Portuguese, attending three Portuguese language classes per week while continuing their learning through English immersion. Children are introduced to:
Early reading and writing foundations in both languages
Logical reasoning and number sense
Personal and emotional expression
Exploration of natural and social environments. This is the first stage of our bilingual literacy programme, where children start learning how to read and write in a dual-language context.
This is the final year of Early Childhood Education before students enter Year 1. Our Pre Years group receives daily Portuguese language instruction and follows an advanced literacy programme in both languages. Students are prepared to:
Read and write simple sentences in English and Portuguese
Demonstrate phonemic awareness and decoding skills
Solve problems using logic and creativity
Exhibit responsibility, cooperation, and initiative
Build strong foundations for entry into Primary Years (Y1)
Our Early Years programme is delivered in a natural, dynamic, and creative learning environment, with strong emphasis on inquiry, self-expression, and international-mindedness, fully aligned with the principles of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP).
At St. John’s, families of children in Infant 1 to Pre Years may choose to enroll in our Extension Program, a morning enrichment experience that complements our academic curriculum.
Running from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Extension Program is designed to offer playful, age-appropriate activities that support children’s physical, social, and emotional development before the start of the academic day, which begins at 1:00 p.m.
For families who enroll in the Extension Program, breakfast and lunch are included in the daily routine, ensuring that children are well-nourished and ready to learn and play.
An energetic and exploratory session where children engage in age-appropriate movement activities, adapted sports circuits, cooperative games, and physical challenges. These experiences help children develop:
Motor skills such as running, jumping, crawling, climbing, rolling, and balancing
Body awareness, agility, and coordination
Confidence through physical expression and playful interaction
This joyful class combines rhythm, music, and movement in a safe and stimulating way. Children explore musicality through:
Rhythmic games, body percussion, and musical storytelling
Expression through movement using scarves, rattles, ribbons, tambourines, soft drums, and hula hoops
Sensory experiences that support balance, coordination, and creative movement
A unique Brazilian cultural expression that blends martial arts, dance, music, and play. Capoeira promotes:
Physical strength, flexibility, and coordination
Rhythm and musical awareness through traditional songs and instruments
Respect, discipline, and teamwork in a fun and engaging format
The Extension Program at St. John’s offers a holistic start to the day, helping children build essential skills through play, movement, and music—while fostering curiosity, joy, and well-being.