New play-based learning programme at DCIS

Dover Court International School (DCIS) believes academic success in later stages of life starts from positive early learning experiences for children. Its dedicated Early Childhood Education programme, NEST (Nurturing Early Success Together), brings together students, school environment and parents in supporting children from Nursery to Year 2 (ages three to seven years). Read on to learn more about the child-led, play-based learning, which you can experience in-person at their upcoming Open House on 12 May.

Seven things to know about NEST

#1 Led by curiosity and play-based learning at NEST

The NEST curriculum at DCIS is based on the English National Curriculum blended with IPC, applied with a Reggio Emilia approach. This means that each child’s curiosity and exploration guide their learning.

NEST educators observe and respond to each child’s learning needs by designing meaningful experiences for children. They use real materials and tools both inside and outside of the classroom to help the children build realistic connections to the world around them. This helps children to extend their thinking and understanding in a holistic way.

#2 How NEST looks in the classroom and beyond

A good example of the NEST programme in operation is how two Reception classes are learning about nature.

One class is tending the garden. They’re loosening soil, planting seeds, watering daily and noticing how seeds sprout into plants and flowers. Their excitement and curiosity shows at each stage. Through the activity of gardening, they’re growing their curiosity along with a joyful connection to nature.

At the same time, another class explores nature through art. They wonder how an avocado seed grows into a tree, exploring this through observation, play and creativity. Letting their imagination take over, they sketch the trunk, branches, leaves and even the insects that might live in the tree.

#3 Supporting learning with outdoor exploration and specialist classes

The DCIS green campus serves as an extension of the classroom, taking play-based learning outside. The children take nature walks to compare real plants and trees, then return to the classroom to refine their drawings. This activity helps them deepen their understanding of growth.

As part of the Early Childhood Education programme, children also experience specialist learning from Nursery onwards, including:

• Mandarin classes by native speakers
• Juilliard-enhanced music sessions and performance opportunities
• Early sports fundamentals and swimming
• Computing and Coding from Year 1
• A wide range of co-curricular activities from Year 1 that help children discover passions and build independence

#4 A safe learning environment as a key factor

Dover Court believes that children thrive and grow when they’re in an environment that makes them feel safe, known and confident.

NEST is located within its own dedicated space, on the school’s 12-acre green campus. The aim is to provide a gentle nurturing start to school life by creating environments that encourage children to safely explore, express and build confidence.

NEST classrooms have been intentionally crafted as calm, neutral and welcoming spaces. Soft natural tones and organic textures are carefully selected. Open‑ended materials create an environment that encourages focus, imagination and purposeful play.

The classrooms are designed to support independence and collaboration. This gives children room to build relationships, make choices and explore learning at their own pace.

#5 Upcoming at NEST

A new space that’s specially built for the children to safely explore, play and communicate is Discovery and Play Cove. When it opens this summer, these are the play spaces they can look forward to:

• Physical challenge areas with climbing nets, rope bridges, balancing logs, slides and an obstacle course that strengthen coordination and gross motor skills
• Imaginative and dramatic play zones featuring wooden decks, platforms and themed structures that encourage storytelling, role‑play and collaborative learning
• Sensory and tactile spaces with textured surfaces, interactive panels, nature‑integrated elements and musical sensory walls that support sensory engagement and emotional regulation
• Sand and water play areas designed for experimentation, exploration and open‑ended problem‑solving
• Quiet and reflective corners with shaded seating that provide calm moments for rest, observation and self‑regulation
• Social and group play spaces where children collaborate, communicate and learn through shared action

#6 Who guides the NEST programme?

A key component of the nurturing support for NEST are the educators. They place a strong emphasis on building positive relationships so that students feel comfortable in expressing their ideas.

They help children build resilience by validating feelings, modelling perseverance and creating safe spaces to take risks and make mistakes. Over time, students become more confident in analysing ideas and articulating their thinking.

This sense of safety and belonging creates the conditions for inclusion, creativity and kindness – values central to Dover Court’s wider mission.

Teachers at DCIS also prioritise helping students fully understand concepts rather than moving quickly through content. They will revisit ideas, explore them from different perspectives and apply them to new contexts.

This approach allows students to apply the same knowledge to different situations. It helps them build a more flexible understanding of what they’re learning.

In the process, students develop analytical thinking, exploring ideas from multiple perspectives and problem-solving skills from a young age. They also develop strong communication skills, resilient mindsets and healthy social relationships.

#7 Family involvement

Dover Court International School believes that a child’s learning thrives when the school and families are in partnership.

Parents get involved through:

• Daily SeeSaw updates that show students narrating their learning
• Assemblies and showcases where students get the opportunity to share their skills and talent
• Exhibitions of learning where students share not just the outcome of their work but the process and lines of inquiry of getting there

An added benefit of this approach is that it helps normalise presentation skills from a young age.

Experience NEST in-person at DCIS

Parents and children are invited to the NEST Open House at Dover Court International School from 10am to noon on Tuesday, 12 May.

It’s an opportunity to tour the dedicated NEST campus for Nursery to Year 2, and meet the Primary leadership team and early childhood educators. Plus, your children will get a sneak peek of the creative adventures that await them at the new Discovery and Play Cove.

Register your spot here.

Dover Court International School is at 301 Dover Road.
6775 7664 | admissions@dovercourt.edu.sg | dovercourt.edu.sg

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