NURSERY
World of Discoveries
At the Oceanus International School Nursery, we believe that the first years of a child’s life are fundamental in shaping their future. This is a decisive stage of human development, as it is the phase in which children learn most rapidly.
For this reason, every gesture matters. Every smile, every interaction, every discovery is part of an intentional process of building strong foundations for life. Here, we create the first chapter of a transformative education in an environment designed for each child to take their first steps into the world with safety, care, and stimulation. Every baby is welcomed as unique, in a setting where personalised care and attention to detail make all the difference.
In this spirit, and based on the Guidelines for Early Childhood Education, Oceanus International School is committed to:
Placing the child’s best interests at the centre, ensuring a smooth transition from the family environment to the nursery through close collaboration with families and by incorporating home experiences into daily routines;
Making the quality of relationships (child–child and child–adult) a central aspect of practice, built on mutual respect, warm and sensitive bonds, and individualised attention;
Grounding our approach in a deep understanding of how children develop and learn, using every moment of the daily routine as an educational opportunity;
Providing the care necessary for children’s physical and emotional well-being, meeting their basic needs for hygiene, safety, health, affection, and stimulation;
Creating purposefully designed spaces that are accessible and organised to encourage independent exploration, with welcoming rest areas, open-ended materials that foster curiosity and initiative, contact with nature, and outdoor play;
Building strong partnerships with families, promoting regular communication and parental involvement, while respecting each child’s culture and routines. Mutual trust is the foundation of our work.
PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION
Explore and Imagine
Pre-primary education represents a unique stage in a child’s development: a time of discovery, identity building, and the first structured learning experiences. Between the ages of 3 and 6, the brain continues to develop rapidly, consolidating skills that are essential not only for Primary Education but also for life.
At Oceanus International School, pre-primary is a space for holistic and integral growth, where learning is inseparable from playing, creating, and interacting.<br>Based on the Curricular Guidelines for Pre-Primary Education, our daily practice places particular emphasis on the Project-Based Methodology, complemented by other pedagogical approaches, embracing an eclectic and enriching framework. Children are active participants in the development of new skills and knowledge.<br><br>
Our educational offering encompasses several core areas that are essential for the child’s integral development, aligned with the demands and expectations of today’s society:
1. Holistic and Balanced Development
- Promotes cognitive, linguistic, motor, emotional, and social skills in an integrated manner.
- Through guided play and hands-on experiences, children explore, question, and build knowledge.
2. Language, Literacy, and Mathematical Thinking
- Playful activities, such as storytelling, sound games, early writing experiences, and mathematical challenges, spark curiosity about symbols and numbers.
- This approach provides a solid preparation for the transition to Primary Education, without rushing or premature schooling.
3. Socialisation and Citizenship
- Learning to cooperate, negotiate, respect rules, and manage emotions is part of daily life.
- The group becomes a privileged space to practise empathy, autonomy, confidence, and responsibility.
4. Creativity and Expression
- Music, visual arts, movement, drama, and symbolic play help children express themselves, imagine, and create new solutions.
- These experiences are essential for developing creativity and self-confidence.
5. Multilingualism and the Global World
- At Oceanus, early exposure to English and different cultures prepares children to be global citizens, more open to diversity and confident in worldwide communication. Bilingualism also stimulates the brain, fostering greater mental flexibility, enhancing working memory, and supporting creative thinking.
6. Partnership with Families
- Pre-primary education is strengthened when school and family work together. Daily communication, project sharing, and parental involvement are integral to our practice.
Quality pre-primary education is far more than a transitional stage. It is a space where children learn to be, think, create, and relate, building solid foundations for their academic and personal future.
PRIMARY EDUCATION
Learning and Growing
Primary Education is the stage in which children take their first formal steps in the academic journey. Between the ages of 6 and 10, key skills are consolidated, study habits are developed, and values are built that will accompany them throughout life.<br>At Oceanus International School, this stage is experienced in an innovative and motivating way, with a strong focus on the values that guide our community and educational practice.<br>Key pillars that underpin our pedagogical approach:
Key pillars that underpin our pedagogical approach:
1. Solid Academic Foundations
- Focus on developing literacy, numeracy, and scientific thinking through active methodologies and digital resources.
- Use of Cambridge approaches strengthens academic excellence, curiosity, and the ability to question.
2. Learning to Learn
- We promote autonomy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, preparing students for future challenges.
- Mistakes are valued as an essential part of the learning process, fostering resilience and persistence.
- Encouraging reflection on what I already know, what I need to learn, and how I can get there.
3. Personal and Social Development
- Primary education is also a time to grow in values: respect, empathy, responsibility, and cooperation.
- Through class projects, debates, and teamwork, students learn to communicate, share, and build together.
4. Creativity and Expression
- Music, drama, visual arts, and physical education are integrated into the curriculum, helping each child to think, feel, and express themselves uniquely.
- We encourage imagination and individual expression as key pillars of confidence and innovation.
5. Multilingualism and Global Citizenship
- English plays a central role throughout the journey, alongside Portuguese, preparing students for a multicultural and globalised world.
- We carry out projects related to sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering conscious and committed citizens who contribute to a better world.
6. Partnership with Families
- We maintain close and transparent communication, involving parents throughout the school journey, so that education is a shared path.
At Oceanus International School, the Primary Education blends high-quality education, innovative teaching, and values development, ensuring that every child learns not only to excel academically but also to grow as a confident, responsible, and global citizen.
CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge Curriculum at Oceanus International School
At Oceanus International School, we believe that education means preparing every child for a future that is constantly changing and increasingly global. The integration of the Cambridge Curriculum into our school marks an important step in this journey, strengthening both the academic quality and the international recognition of our educational project.
Present in more than 160 countries, this curriculum ensures high standards of excellence, fostering not only strong knowledge but also essential skills such as critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and effective communication in diverse cultural contexts. It opens doors to leading universities and opportunities worldwide.
At Oceanus, the Cambridge approach is fully integrated with our values, close partnership with families, and a focus on the holistic development of our pupils. In this way, we bring together the best of both worlds: the academic challenge and global vision of Cambridge with the identity and values that define our educational community.
In line with this commitment to educational excellence and a global outlook, the Cambridge Curriculum will be introduced progressively:
- Early Years Programme in Pre-Primary Education
- Primary Programme in the 1st Cycle
Both will be aligned with the national curriculum, enriching children’s learning journey with intentional activities that promote language development in playful and experiential ways.
This approach aims to strengthen the school’s bilingual dimension without compromising the existing curriculum, ensuring that by the end of Year 4 pupils achieve a high level of proficiency in English, with the possibility of obtaining Cambridge-recognised certification.
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