DUCKS (Preschool and Kindergarten)
Welcome to DUCKS
Early Years Programme at DUCKS
DUCKS is set in a purpose-built Early Years environment catering to children aged 2 to 7 years old. It comprises Toddler, Nursery, and Reception (collectively known as our Early Years programme) and Year 1 & 2 (Year 2 is the equivalent of Year 1 in local schools).
Watch the video to learn more about our Early Years education
Early Years Approach at DUCKS
Early Years in DUCKS is based on the best of Early Years education from around the world within the well-defined expectations of the Early Years Foundation Stage from the U.K.
Child-led learning and play-based exploration underpin the approach where learning is supported through positive interaction with adults whose careful questioning, observations, and reflections inform their daily practice.
Dual Language Programme for Early Years Students
Early Years students are immersed in our Dual Language programme, providing powerful opportunities to strengthen children’s cognitive abilities through rich language exposure continuously throughout the day. Strong thinking skills, highly developed logical reasoning, increased ability to focus, remember, and make decisions as well as greater social and cultural awareness are all at the forefront of language acquisition.
The aim of the Dual Language approach in DUCKS is to develop fluent speakers in English and Mandarin by the end of Year 2 who can comfortably switch from one language to another whilst always remaining secure in their first language.
The prime areas covered in our early years programme are:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
The specific areas covered in our early years programme are:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Early Years Curriculum (Year 1 and Year 2)
In Year 1 and Year 2, DUCKS teachers build upon and extend the child-led learning and play-based exploration to a more structured approach to learning following the English National Curriculum.
Early Years students will delve deeper into areas of learning, including core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and the foundation subjects; Art and Design, Computing, Geography, History, Music and Physical Education (PE). Children will have specialist lessons each week for Music, Library and Physical Education.
How Mandarin is taught from preschool to kindergarten
Mandarin is taught in discrete lessons and our Mandarin learners are divided into three pathways depending on each student's context and aims: Chinese Native Language (CNL), Mandarin as a second language, and Mandarin as a foreign language. Our CNL pathway is designed to lay a solid foundation for success in the IBDP and long-term bilingual excellence.
Holistic Education at our International Kindergarten in Shanghai
Holistic education is central to the student experience at Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong. Preschool students in Reception begin to participate in our Co-curricular Activity (CCA) programme when they are developmentally ready to do so, often in Term 2 or 3. Children in Year 1 and Year 2 take part in CCA activities throughout the week. Children have the opportunity to take part in a variety of CCAs including tennis, martial arts, outdoor adventure, drawing, multisport, eco clubs, crafts and drama. Read more about our CCA programme here.
STEAM Curriculum at DUCKS
DUCKS students in the early years programme begin actively engaging with technology both online and offline in Reception while of course remaining mindful about managing and minimising screen time. The DUCKS campus has a dedicated space for our SE21 programme. 'S' stands for STEAM, the 'E' for entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability, and '21' for 21st century skills. STEAM is an acronym for the subjects Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. The aim of SE21 is to promote a curious mindset and offer early years students opportunities to explore creative and imaginative problem-solving projects which bring elements of these subjects together.
DUCKS Vision and Values
At DUCKS, we value greatly our school's international community and strive to reflect the diverse needs, customs and cultures of our families as well as of our host country. Through our College values, the commitment to promoting broader skills such as the dispositions of learning, thinking skills and a wider sense of purpose and community, are deeply embedded through a service approach and values curriculum. Read more about our College Vision and Values here.
Wellbeing at DUCKS
DUCKS places each child's sense of self and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. As part of our early years programme, DUCKS is a school where the foundations for lifelong learning are at the core of an atmosphere that is caring, nurturing, and stimulating. The ethos of DUCKS is warm and inviting, challenging each child in a safe and exciting learning environment.
Home-School Partnership in Early Years
Engagement with parents as learning partners forms the principles of making the learning visible from online learning portfolios to vibrant examples of children’s learning in every area of the DUCKS campus. We use a combination of technology, virtual events, and in-person meetings to make sure that parents are empowered to support their child's learning journey in our preschool and nursery programmes, helping each early years student thrive and achieve all that they are capable of.
Read more about how we support the home-school partnership here.
DUCKS Photo Gallery
Dulwich Pudong is a place where we can set up spaces using our creativity and understanding of child development to create excitement and curiosity. We are fortunate to be a group of like-minded individuals who work as a team.
DUCKS FAQs
Does DUCKS offer additional language support?
DUCKS offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to non-native English speakers who meet the requirements, based upon class teacher referral and/or assessment. The main aim is to develop learners' understanding and use of English to access and respond to the curriculum, as well as to meet their social and emotional needs.
The EAL provision will fit the needs of the child. Some children may require intensive EAL for a period of time, while others may need a longer-term approach, consisting of less intensity but more frequency. Some children will need small group sessions, while others will need more in-class targeted support by an EAL specialist.
Please note that there is an additional fee for EAL provision, which supports a portion of this programme.
Are DUCKS children required to wear uniforms?
Early Years Students from Toddler to Year 11 wear school uniform. School uniform reflects a long-standing tradition from the founding school and is a badge of pride and school identity. Click here for more information about our DUCKS uniform.
How does Dulwich's Dual Language Programme differ from a bilingual school?
The DUCKS language development approach values both English and Mandarin equally. We want children to acquire both languages concurrently. We therefore use a Dual Language approach in our classrooms. Our highly experienced English teachers will lead the curriculum using spoken English. The children's learning will be supported by an Assistant Teacher or Dual Language Teacher who speaks Mandarin as a first language, but who speaks fluent English as well. The physical learning environment, including print, will be in both English and Mandarin.
The aim of the Dual Language approach in DUCKS is to develop fluent speakers in English and Mandarin by the end of Year 2 who can comfortably switch from one language to another, while always remaining secure in their first language.
How do young children learn through play?
How to navigate the tricky transition from Kindergarten to Primary School?
November Round-Up
Winter Concert raises the roof at Shanghai Oriental Art Centre
October Round-Up
A Day in the Life of our 5 to 7 year olds
That Day We Painted Shanghai a Gazillion Colours
DUCKS Open Day Schedule
Celebrate the End of the School Year with Music!
Apply to DUCKS
Applications to DUCKS Early Years typically take place between September to January and assessments take place in November - January. School tours are offered during Open Days, which will be announced in September.
Applications to DUCKS Year 1 and Year 2 take place in September - January and places are offered depending on availability.
