Early Years (Maternelle)

The Early Years at the British Section are a time of discovery, play and growing social confidence.

Learning is centred on doing, with UK-qualified teachers creating a warm, supportive environment where English develops naturally through songs, stories, conversation and play. Children build their listening and speaking skills, begin to explore the sounds of English through phonics, and develop the foundations for future reading and writing. Alongside language development, they strengthen their physical and creative skills through drawing, cutting, making and expressive activities, while learning to share, take turns, collaborate and grow in confidence as part of a diverse and welcoming community.

What we learn

Our curriculum is inspired by the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), adapted to complement the French maternelle framework and to support children as they begin to develop a confident bilingual identity.

• English language: Children progressively develop their confidence in speaking and listening, building vocabulary and learning to express themselves clearly in English.
• Learning through play: Structured play, practical activities and investigation encourage curiosity, creativity, independence and enjoyment.
• Stories and early literacy: Children develop a love of stories and learn to listen, talk about what they hear and discover meaning through pictures and books. Early phonics begins in Petite Section and Moyenne Section, leading to the foundations of reading and emergent writing in Grande Section.
• Working together: Collaborative activities help children learn to listen to others, share ideas and develop positive relationships with their classmates.
• Personal and social development: Kindness, respect and consideration for others are woven into everyday life, helping children become confident and caring members of their school community.
• Bilingual development: English language skills develop alongside children’s learning in French, providing a strong foundation for their emerging bilingual identity.
• Home-school partnership: Our UK-qualified teachers and classroom assistants work closely with families, recognising parents as important partners in their children’s early learning and development.

Small group focus

We maintain a high teacher-to-pupil ratio to ensure every child feels seen and heard. Maternelle classes are also staffed by a class assistant, ensuring even stronger individualised support.

Play-Based Learning Areas

Our classrooms are equipped with dedicated "role-play" corners (e.g., a play kitchen or a post office) and sensory tables, which are central to the British pedagogical approach but less common in traditional French settings.

Community Integration

For pupils in our partner schools (Ecole maternelle Jehan Alain or Ecole Félix Eboué) and externé programme, maternelle children benefit from shared playground time and canteen lunches with their French peers, ensuring they feel fully integrated into their local community from day one.

Home-school partnership

We believe that children thrive when home and school work closely together. Open and effective communication, combined with active and purposeful parental involvement, helps us build a shared understanding of each child and support their learning, wellbeing and development.

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