Ages 1 to 17
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Children aged 1 to 5 at FIS grow in a safe, stimulating environment with full immersion in English from the earliest years, supported by a bespoke curriculum with an international outlook. Through play, exploration and multisensory experiences, they develop language, creativity, emotional skills and independence. Programmes such as swimming, playful philosophy and creative workshops support natural learning and lay the foundations for their future academic journey.
International curriculum
Benefit from a bespoke curriculum aligned with educational standards and enriched by an international approach, combining play, exploration and multisensory experiences to support students' all-round development.
Personalised care
Grow in a close, safe environment where students receive individual attention, with support from teachers who nurture academic, emotional and social development while respecting each child’s pace and promoting their wellbeing.
A strong legacy
Benefit from the bilingual, innovative and student-centred educational project that FIS has promoted since 1996, based on close guidance and personalised attention in a safe and ambitious environment.
Life skills
Build future-ready skills through the ISP Life Competencies framework – a life skills framework supported by Camtree.
Excellent teaching staff
Thrive with qualified and certified teachers who have the highest level of English proficiency, selected through a rigorous recruitment and verification process.
Multilingual learning
Enjoy full immersion in English as the main classroom language in Years 1 and 2, while Spanish is introduced progressively to encourage natural communication.
Eco-school
Make a positive impact on the environment by taking part in projects at an Eco-school recognised with the Green Flag in 2017, helping reduce energy consumption by 10%.
Extra-curricular activities
Benefit from enriching experiences, including creative workshops and emotional development programmes, as well as nursery care available before and after the school day.
Partnership with families
Stay connected with your child’s learning through daily communication, regular meetings with tutors and progress reports.
An inspiring campus
Learn in an inspiring campus located in the Sierra de Guadarrama, where nature and innovation come together in stimulating classrooms and spaces designed for learning.
Friendly admission process
Our admissions process is clear and responsive, ensuring a smooth transition as we warmly welcome your family into our vibrant community.
In Early Years, our curriculum is designed to support each child’s all-round development through play, exploration and active learning in a safe and stimulating environment.
Learning through play in English
English is the main language of learning from the earliest years, allowing children to acquire it naturally and meaningfully. Through play, daily routines, songs and interactive activities, they develop listening and speaking skills with confidence.
This immersive environment builds strong foundations for bilingual learning, helping children use English as a real tool to interact with others and discover the world around them.
Discovering your own language
Spanish is introduced progressively, respecting each child’s pace and supporting the development of oral language. Through stories, games, songs and communication-based activities, children expand their vocabulary and strengthen their ability to express themselves.
This approach builds confidence, comprehension and enjoyment of language, creating solid foundations for language development in both English and Spanish.
Growing in personal wellbeing
Children at Fontenebro International School learn to identify, express and manage their emotions in a safe environment, supported by their teachers and our child psychologist.
Through activities, stories, games and everyday situations, they develop empathy, self-control and social skills. This emotional learning is key to their wellbeing, relationships and personal growth, helping them build positive self-esteem from an early age.
Moving to learn better
Movement is essential at this stage, with games and dynamic activities helping children develop coordination, balance and body control.
As they explore their physical abilities, they strengthen body awareness, independence and confidence. This development also supports later learning, including writing and spatial awareness.
Expressing and experimenting
Children explore their creativity through materials, textures, colours and sounds. Artistic and sensory activities encourage self-expression, imagination and curiosity.
Through both free and guided experimentation, they develop fine motor skills and their own way of interpreting the world, in an environment where creativity is valued as an essential part of learning.
Thinking, sharing and discovering
This programme stimulates thinking, curiosity and communication through play and dialogue. Children learn to express ideas, ask questions and listen to others in a participatory environment. Through shared reflection, they develop age-appropriate critical thinking skills and a curious, active attitude towards learning.
Discovering the world around us
Pupils explore their natural and social environment, developing observation, curiosity and respect for their surroundings. Through practical experiences, they learn about nature, routines and the world closest to them. This learning fosters connection with the environment, care for nature and an early understanding of how things work in everyday life.
Feeling and expressing oneself
Music is part of everyday life through songs, rhythm and movement. Students develop musical sensitivity, coordination, and body expression while enjoying learning. In addition, music is integrated with English, favoring the learning of the language in a natural and fun way, and stimulating memory and creativity.
Learning with confidence and safety
Swimming is integrated into the school timetable and supports physical development, coordination and confidence in the water. Children acquire essential swimming skills in a safe environment, strengthening their independence and personal confidence. This activity also contributes to their overall wellbeing and encourages healthy habits from an early age.
Every day at Fontenebro International School is filled with exciting learning experiences and discoveries for your child. Although timetables vary by year group, here is an example of what a typical day can look like in our Early Years stage.
Welcome and settling in
9am – 9.45amA warm start to the day with routines, morning assembly and time to connect with the group.
First learning block
9.45am – 10.30amGuided activities designed to develop language, communication and social skills.
Morning break
10.30am – 11amTime to play, socialise and recharge in a safe and caring environment.
Second learning block
11am – 12pmActive learning through workshops, learning corners and psychomotor activities.
Lunch
12pm – 1pmA balanced meal shared with classmates in a calm and supportive setting.
Nap time
1pm – 3pmA quiet moment to rest, relax and recharge for the afternoon.
Afternoon learning
3pm – 4pmDynamic activities that encourage creativity, independence and discovery.
Play and end of the day
4pm – 5pmRelaxed playtime and calming activities before departure.
In Early Years, children begin to discover the world in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment, developing curiosity, confidence and key skills that lay the foundations for their learning and future growth.
Academic achievement
Enjoy personalised learning that continuously enhances knowledge, skills and understanding.
Life competencies
Gain essential life skills to thrive inside and outside the classroom.
Multilingualism
Learn languages naturally and become part of an interconnected world.
At Fontenebro International School, academic excellence begins in the earliest years through a personalised approach that responds to each child’s pace, needs and potential. Through active methodologies and experiential learning, children discover knowledge naturally while developing curiosity, creativity and critical thinking.
Our programmes are designed specifically for this stage, integrating language learning and fostering key skills from an early age. All of this takes place in a safe, stimulating environment, where highly qualified teachers support each child’s all-round development and lay the foundations for future academic success.
In Early Years, children develop essential skills for their personal and social wellbeing through structured programmes in emotional education, social skills and self-control. Led by the school’s child psychologist, who becomes a trusted presence in the classroom, these programmes help children grow in confidence and emotional awareness.
Through stories and age-appropriate activities, they learn to identify and manage basic emotions such as joy, sadness, fear and anger, while developing empathy and self-awareness. Role play and guided activities allow them to practise social skills such as greeting others, communicating clearly and joining in games.
From the age of 5, children begin to develop self-control through techniques including breathing exercises, the calm corner and strategies such as the “turtle” or the “balloon”, learning to channel anger in a positive way. With continuity in later stages, these programmes also involve families, helping reinforce a consistent educational approach at home and at school.
Our multilingual model begins in Early Years, immersing children in an Anglo-Hispanic environment that supports the natural acquisition of English and Spanish. In the first years, up to 90% of the school day is delivered in English, gradually evolving towards a balanced use of both languages.
Through routines, games and everyday activities, children develop fluent and spontaneous communication. This hands-on approach not only strengthens language skills, but also builds confidence, cultural openness and the ability to express themselves in different contexts, preparing them to thrive in a global environment.
Emotional education programme
Students develop emotional awareness through the Talking and Feeling programme, learning to recognise, express and manage their emotions in an age-appropriate way. Through guided activities, they identify basic emotions such as joy, sadness, fear and anger, understanding that every emotion is valid and part of everyday life.The programme encourages empathy, active listening and respect for the feelings of others, helping children build emotional security and self-confidence. From the ages of 4 and 5, pupils also take part in a social skills and self-control workshop, where they learn to resolve conflicts, regulate their reactions and build positive relationships.
Playful philosophy
Playful Philosophy introduces Early Years students to reflective thinking through play. In these sessions, they learn to observe, ask questions, compare, interpret and express their ideas, developing early critical thinking skills.Through age-appropriate activities, children develop curiosity, respectful listening and shared thinking, helping them make sense of what they think and feel. The programme strengthens both individuality and group awareness, promoting coexistence, participation and respect.
Creative and multisensory workshop
This workshop allows children to explore the world through their senses and through art. Through activities such as painting, modelling, handling different materials and experimenting with textures, colours and aromas, they express themselves freely and develop their creativity naturally.Multisensory experiences stimulate touch, sight, smell and taste, encouraging exploration, curiosity and discovery. When the senses are engaged, learning becomes deeper, more natural and more memorable.
Green Learning
Green Learning brings children closer to the natural environment, fostering a respectful and conscious relationship with the world around them. The garden, the school’s outdoor spaces and the surrounding environment become living classrooms where they observe, explore and ask questions.Through outdoor experiences, children develop responsibility, respect for nature and critical thinking, understanding that they are part of an ecosystem and that their actions can make a positive impact.
The foundations are built in the early years. Creating a safe, stimulating environment makes all the difference to a child’s development.
Julia García, Early Years Coordinator
At Fontenebro International School, we offer a flexible enrolment process for our Early Years programme throughout the academic year. Our admissions team is always ready to discuss your family's needs and help you choose the best start date for your child's educational journey.
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Watch your child grow in confidence and curiosity through Fontenebro International School’s Early Years programme.
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