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1 TO 5 YEARS OLD

EARLY YEARS CURRICULUM

At Hamelin‑Laie, every child’s journey begins with curiosity. Guided by the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), our trilingual programme combines structured learning with play and exploration in a warm, international community. 

Supported by expert teachers and small classes, they develop the confidence, skills and strong foundations for life from day one. 

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Samanta Sas, Head of Early Years

WELCOME FORM THE TEAM

Welcome to Early Years at Hamelin-Laie! The early years are a very special time, full of first discoveries, big emotions and wonderful moments of growth. In our international learning environment, we aim to create a place where children feel safe, happy and truly known, and where families feel welcomed and supported from the very beginning. We look forward to getting to know you and your child, and to sharing this important first step of their learning journey together. 
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OUR EARLY YEARS EDUCATION

At Hamelin‑Laie, our Early Years stage is guided by the principles of the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), a play‑based, inquiry‑led approach designed to nurture children’s academic, personal and social development from the very beginning. 

Through engaging, hands‑on experiences, children build confidence, creativity and independence. Each thematic unit connects learning across different subject areas, beginning with exciting entry points that spark curiosity and encourage deeper understanding over time. 

As an international nursery school in Barcelona, children learn primarily in English while also developing Spanish and Catalan in line with the Spanish education framework. This trilingual approach strengthens both global perspective and local connection. 

All of this takes place in a nurturing environment where every child’s identity is valued and celebrated, helping them grow into confident, open‑minded members of our international community. 

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Boosting your child’s growth

Our early years curriculum builds a strong foundation for your child's future academic growth. To create this foundation, we focus on two stages of development.
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THE 1ST STAGE
1 TO 3 YEARS OLD
We cater to each child’s learning needs. Through stimulating games and activities, we take a holistic approach to nurturing their abilities, alongside their emotional and physical growth. Half of their learning is in English, and the other half is divided between Spanish and Catalan.
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THE 2ND STAGE
3 TO 5 YEARS OLD
We guide our young learners to discover and explore primarily in English, 90% at this stage, with the remaining 10% of instruction in Spanish and Catalan. We give tailored guidance to each child, helping them build their skills and knowledge in the best way for their personal growth.

Our Early Years

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  • Early Years

A TYPICAL DAY IN EARLY YEARS

Whether they’re expressing creativity, getting active on the sports field, or giving back to our community, our students enjoy a great range of learning experiences.
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A warm welcome
As our youngest learners enter the classroom, they can show off their colourful schoolwork on display while parents talk with the class teacher. After settling in, we delve into our emotional education and ask how everyone’s feeling.
A warm welcome
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Let’s get moving!
Physical activity is an important part of our everyday programme. Our expert teachers stimulate each child’s motor skills and personal growth through thrilling obstacle courses, crawling, and monkey bar exercises!
Let’s get moving!
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Fuelling up
Lunchtime allows our little ones to rest and recharge over fresh and delicious food, prepared by our in-house catering team. Keeping our little ones happy and full of energy helps them get ready for an afternoon of learning ahead.
Fuelling up
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Learning through experiences
Hands-on learning stimulates our children’s curiosity! Our teachers foster each child’s skills and confidence to grow and play in their own, personal ways of enjoyment, making learning fun and memorable for the future.
Learning through experiences
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Let’s be creative
We give our youngest students the freedom to express themselves, explore new ideas, and see the world in a different light. Early reading activities animate each child’s imagination and encourage them to think and respond.
Let’s be creative
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The fun doesn’t stop!
We have endless activities for our students to choose from after school – musical theatre, ballet, football, roller-skating, and so much more. Our little ones begin to discover what they love and can’t wait to do more of tomorrow.
The fun doesn’t stop!

WHAT THEY SAY

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“My daughter is in Year 3 and she goes to school every morning with a big smile. We’re really happy with her teachers, they’re warm, attentive, and make the lessons engaging. Her English has improved so much since she started, and we can really see how confident she’s become. We couldn’t be happier with the experience so far!”
Parent Source: International School Database, November 2025
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“We’ve been at the school for two years, and our two children are very happy at Hamelin-Laie. The Early Years teachers are warm, caring, and genuinely devoted to the children. Our 4-year-old’s English has improved tremendously and he’s now able to hold a fluent conversation. The school environment is excellent, and the international community is something you can truly feel in the classroom. We are extremely happy and would definitely recommend Hamelin-Laie to future families!”
PARENT Source: International School Database, November 2025
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“Our 18-month-old son started his kindergarten study in Hamelin in 6 months.

The groups are small and there are two teachers: one with native English and the other with Spanish and Catalan. Thus, children learn three languages from diapers. The facilities are very new and the floor has heating. For very young people it is important because they spend a lot of time crawling.

At the academic level it is noticeable that children do not come only to play but to learn. Our son already knows how to differentiate colors and distinguish parts of the human body. The teachers are very creative and professional.”
eARLY yEARS Parent,  Source: World Schools, 2023

FAQs

  • What age can children start in Early Years?
    Children can join our Early Years programme from 9-12 months in Pre-Nursery, beginning their journey in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment. 
  • How do you support each child’s individual needs?
    With small class sizes and experienced teachers, we ensure every child is known, valued and supported. Activities are adapted to each child’s developmental stage and learning pace. 
  • What makes Hamelin‑Laie Early Years unique?
    Our combination of the IEYC framework, trilingual learning, small classes and a caring international community creates a warm environment where every child can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging.
  • How are the Early Years classes structured, and what are the different stages called?

    Our Early Years programme is carefully structured to reflect each stage of a child’s development, ensuring a smooth and nurturing progression throughout their early education journey.  

    The Early Year stages correspond to the following age groups and common systems: 

    • Pre‑Nursery 1: from 1-2 years old  
    • Pre‑Nursery 2: around 2-3 years old 
    • Nursery: around 3-4 years old (equivalent to I3) 
    • Reception: around 4–5 years old (equivalent to I4) 
    • Year 1: around 5–6 years old (equivalent to I5)

     

  • How do you help children settle into school?
    We provide a gentle, personalised transition process, working closely with families to ensure children feel safe, confident and happy from their very first days.  
  • How do families stay informed and involved?
    We maintain close, open communication through regular updates, informal conversations, and meetings, ensuring families are always connected to their child’s progress and daily experiences. 
  • What are the Tuition fees?
    Annual tuition fees are as follows: 

    Pre‑Nursery 1 & 2: 11,454 EUR 

    Early Years (Nursery, Reception, Year 1): 11,186 EUR 

    For full details on what is included, payment schedules and availability, families are invited to contact our Admissions team.
  • Looking for more details about transport, uniforms or daily life at school?
    Visit our Parents Essentials page to explore everything you need to know about the day to day at Hamelin-Laie. 
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CREATE YOUR FUTURE AS A GLOBAL CITIZEN

The international early years curriculum at Hamelin-Laie International School Barcelona fosters a lifelong love of learning in our students, but that's just the beginning. Among our international community of over 45 nationalities learning English, Spanish, and Catalan, we’ll inspire your child to have an open-minded worldview and to make their mark in our globalised world – whatever they choose to be or do in life.

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