Early Learning Centre Principal

Işıkkent Early Learning Center (ELC) offers a rich and inspiring learning environment where children are encouraged to discover their strengths, reach their full potential, and express their curiosity freely.

Our program, shaped by the framework of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), supports our students’ intellectual, emotional, physical, and social development through a holistic approach. Our educational philosophy combines the active learning cycle of HighScope—plan-do-review—with the Reggio Emilia approach, which views children as capable, creative, and collaborative individuals. While students take ownership of their learning journeys, teachers serve as guides and observers.

In all classrooms, we implement a bilingual collaborative model, enabling children to acquire both Turkish and English in a natural, meaningful context. This approach not only supports language development but also fosters intercultural understanding and communication skills—paving the way for becoming global citizens.

Our learning environments are thoughtfully designed to serve as the “third teacher”, responding to the developmental needs and creativity of our students:

• The Piazza, a central gathering space where students socialize, exchange ideas, and collaborate,
• The Light Room, where children explore scientific concepts and aesthetics through light and shadow,
• Art and music studios, where children freely express themselves,
• A sports complex that supports physical development and builds confidence,
• Outdoor gardens and Remida spaces, which foster love for nature, responsibility, and awareness of sustainability.

Through our guidance and counseling programs, we support children’s emotional well-being, while family involvement creates strong school-family partnerships. Our students are empowered to take meaningful action based on what they learn and value—developing a sense of responsibility toward building a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. In doing so, they take their first steps toward becoming global citizens. We recognize that every child is unique and learns in different ways. Therefore, our holistic development programs are structured to support individual differences and promote growth in physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and language domains.

We take great pride in guiding our students along their learning journeys as they grow into strong, independent, reflective, and compassionate individuals.

We warmly invite you to join us on this inspiring journey—where every child shines, feels valued, and grows as an open-minded citizen of the world.

Our Educational Approach

The dialogue between students and teachers is valued in the Işıkkent Early Learning Centre. The process of learning how to learn starts at home through verbal communication and open ended questions. This process does not involve

The dialogue between students and teachers is valued in the Işıkkent Early Learning Centre. The process of learning how to learn starts at home through verbal communication and open ended questions. This process does not involve rote learning, and is based on interactive and positive communication. Through open ended questions, the learning process enables children to question what they learn and develop their metacognitive and transfer skills. The approach that we embrace at Işıkkent supports the acquisition of the students’ academic knowledge and increases their self–confidence.

We attach importance to skills education as well as reaching academic outcomes. In order to raise individuals that the modern world needs, we need to unveil and develop their abilities and potential. We know this is possible through the application of the multiple intelligence theory- which implies that each individual has a different way and habit of learning.

Our teachers observe students and determine their predisposition towards different learning styles. Then they diversify the lessons with activities carried out inside / outside the classroom according to each individual’s learning habits and understanding. The Brain Development room located inside the Early Learning Centre is designed to provide students with a suitable environment according to their learning styles.

Learning Environment in ELC

An effective learning environment which enables students to meet their individual needs and interests

Modern teaching techniques are applied across our School. Classroom tools are designed to contribute to the development of our students, to support and enhance learning outcomes. For this reason, rich, nurturing environments support learning through action, experimentation and application. Our classrooms enable students to perform a wide variety of activities, and to work in small groups.

Our Early Learning Centre is equipped with rich learning materials which students can access at any time. The classroom population is limited to 20 students. Two teachers in each classroom meet the individual needs and interests of the students. Each student is encouraged to actively participate in the classroom activities.

The Brain Development room located inside the Early Learning Centre is designed to provide students with a suitable environment according to their learning styles. This room also helps students experience and apply what they learn in the classroom. In the Işıkkent Early Learning Centre, the Reggio Emilia pedagogical philosophy is also carried out as a basis for teaching.

Just like the PYP, The Reggio Emilia philosophy also puts learners in the centre of the learning process, and facilitates learning through inquiry. The Piazza is a common social and academic learning area where students carry out long and short term projects and mingle with each other. This environment lets students experiment, model and develop their skills, reinforce their social relationships and carry out team work under the leadership of their branch teachers.