PLE Campus (Ages 2-7)
The Preschool and Lower Elementary (PLE) Campus at QSI Shenzhen is a warm learning community with a caring staff ready to support students and encouraged them to meet each new challenge as an opportunity. Students at the PLE receive a balanced education that prepares them for success along their educational journey.
"At the PLE, we make education fun by providing students with hands-on, play-based learning experiences that are designed to spark their natural curiosity and equip them with the knowledge and skills to be successful students throughout their school years."
jonathan-hay@shenzhen.qsi.org
2 - 4 Year Olds
Our 2-year-old, 3-year-old, and 4-year-old program is a child-centered, developmentally appropriate, integrated, full-day program of learning. Students are encouraged to explore their world with the support of our caring teachers and guided by our research-based curriculum.
The program is designed to engage the child in his/her first formal school experience. Our curriculum, Frog Street, is a research-based, developmentally appropriate program that incorporates education of the whole preschool child through multiple components.
- Language/Literacy
- Mathematics
- Science/Social Studies/Health
- Gross Motor Development
- Fine Motor Development
- Fine Arts, Social/Emotional Development
- Independence/Self Help
For 2-year-old, 3-year-old, and 4-year-old students, the school day starts 8:30am. The daily routine includes:
- Morning Circle
- Foundational Skills in Literacy
- Foundational Skills in Mathematics
- Outdoor Play Time
We believe that a well-rounded education is essential for success and place a high value on our specials program. Students attending the following classes with specialize teachers:
- Art - twice a week
- Music - twice a week
- Movement - three times a week
- Library - once a week
- Chinese Language - once a week
Students in the preschool program nap each day from 12:30 - 2:30pm on individual cots that are cleaned regularly.
The school day ends at 3:40pm.
At the PLE, small class sizes allow teachers to provide one-on-one attention and support to students.
- In the 2-year-old program, class sizes are limited to 18 students with a homeroom teacher and two paraprofessionals.
- In the 3-year-old program, class sizes are limited to 20 students with a homeroom teacher and two paraprofessionals.
- In the 4-year-old program, class sizes are limited to 20 students with a homeroom teacher and one paraprofessional.
The preschool classes (2, 3, and 4-year-old classes) at the PLE and Nanshan campus aim for all children to gain toileting independence with support from home. Preschool teachers will support students in developmentally appropriate ways as they learn to become in control of their bodies as they grow. We understand that all young children can have toileting accidents.
Children in the 2 year-old class are expected to come to school in underwear only and provide many changes of clothing as needed; diaper pants (aka "pull-ups") can be worn during the nap time. Children who wear diaper pants are expected to grow to be able to change back into their underwear with little or no help. It is the goal that children in the 2 year-old class become independent in the toilet (only occasional accidents) during the school year
Children in the 3-year-old and 4-year-old classes are expected to come to school in underwear only, including during the nap time, and provide changes of clothing as needed
Teachers and paraprofessionals will help children to clean themselves and change their clothes if a toilet accident occurs. Teachers and paraprofessionals will regularly take children to the toilet to encourage a toilet routine. Children can go to the toilet as needed
Parents agree to actively support toilet training at home, including during school holidays
If a child is having particular trouble in toilet training, the teacher and parent will agree on a support plan to follow, including a timeline. In the event that a child is not showing improvement in gaining toilet independence after a support plan is followed, a child may be asked to leave school for a period of time until progress is made at home. No fees will be refunded in this event, but a space will be kept for the child.
Building character is an important part of our program at QSI that we teach through out Success Orientations (SOs). At the PLE, we focus on one SO each month:
- Trustworthiness
- Responsibility
- Aesthetic Appreciation
- Concern for Others
- Kindness and Politeness
- Independent Endeavor
- Group Interaction
These SOs are an important part of our preschool program and help students demonstrate school readiness skills.
Elementary Program
5 - 7 Year Olds
The QSI PLE 5-year-old, 6-year-old, and 7-year-old programs establish a strong foundation for learning in the early elementary years, and to do so in a safe and caring play-based environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of all children.
- to establish a strong foundation for the early years by providing young children with an integrated day of learning
- to provide a play-based learning environment
- to improve children's prospects for success in school and in their lives beyond school
The 5-year-olds program is based on the understanding that children develop within a complex set of interrelated systems that includes the family, the school, the broader community, and the world. The 6-year-old and 7-year-old programs continue building on the experiences and foundational skills learned in the 5-year-old program. As the academic program becomes more rigorous, PLE students are encouraged to learn through real-world experiences that challenge them to use their understanding of the world around them to secure new knowledge and skills.
For 5-year-old, 6-year-old, and 7-year-old students, the school day starts 8:30am. Students have daily classes with their homeroom teacher in the following subjects:
- Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Science/Cultural Studies
We believe that a well-rounded education is essential for success and place a high value on our specials program. Students attending the following classes with specialize teachers:
- Art - twice a week
- Music - twice a week
- Physical Education (PE) - twice a week
- Library - once a week
- Technology - once a week
In addition, the PLE provides ourselves on our robust Mandarin Chinese language program. 5-year-old students attend Chinese language classes 3 times each week. 6-year-old and 7-year-old students attend Chinese language classes for a full class period each day.
The school day ends at 3:50pm.
At the PLE, small class sizes allow teachers to provide one-on-one attention and support to students. In the elementary program, class sizes are limited to 20 students with one homeroom teacher and one paraprofessional.
The Intensive English (IE) program is for 6-year-old and 7-year-old students at QSI International School of Shenzhen who are in need of special attention in verbal and written English. This program is designed to assist those for whom English is not a first language. The principle goal of Intensive English is to bring students to a level of academic English, including oral competency, which allows them to transfer to regular classes as rapidly as possible. Students enrolled in the IE program attend specialized English language classes during the daily reading and writing periods.
Building character is an important part of our program at QSI that we teach through out Success Orientations (SOs). At the PLE, we focus on one SO each month:
- Trustworthiness
- Responsibility
- Aesthetic Appreciation
- Concern for Others
- Kindness and Politeness
- Independent Endeavor
- Group Interaction
Classes discuss SOs regularly in class and celebrate one each month.
Facilities
The PLE is located in a facility that is approximately two blocks from the Main Shekou Campus near Seaworld. The campus provides a learning environment for students that includes:
- 22 classrooms
- A library with a newly renovated indoor play space
- A music room
- A cafeteria
- An art room
- A covered rooftop gym
- A climbing wall
- A covered playground on campus grounds
- 24-hour security and a full-time nurse
After School Activities
Children learn by exploring and trying new things. At the PLE, we encourage students to take part in our After School Activities (ASA) program, currently offered to student in the 3 - 7 year old classes. Our ASA program offerings change each term to provide students with the opportunity to try many different activities throughout the year. We presently offer a variety of choices of activities such as:
Some activities are offered on a paid basis by outside providers, while others are no cost and hosted by teachers.
