Early Years

CAMBRIDGE EARLY YEARS IN CENTRAL LISBON: NURSERY & RECEPTION (Ages 3–5)

A JOYFUL START TO A LIFELONG LOVE OF LEARNING

At The Lisboan, we believe that young children learn best when they feel safe, happy, known and motivated. Our Early Years programme provides a nurturing environment where curiosity is celebrated, relationships matter and learning is brought to life through play, exploration and discovery.

Children arrive each day ready to investigate, create, question and imagine. Through a balance of child-led exploration and carefully planned adult-guided learning, we help every child develop confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning.

Learning takes place both indoors and outdoors, giving children rich opportunities to explore the world around them and build meaningful connections between their experiences and their understanding.

WHY CHOOSE THE LISBOAN EARLY YEARS?

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

Play is not a break from learning – it is how young children learn best. Through carefully designed experiences, children develop communication, creativity, problem-solving skills, resilience and social confidence while building a genuine love of learning.

EVERY CHILD IS KNOWN

Small class sizes and strong relationships allow us to understand each child as an individual. By knowing their interests, strengths and needs, we can provide the support, challenge and encouragement that helps every child flourish.

LEARNING HOW TO LEARN

One of the most important things children develop in the Early Years is not simply knowledge, but the habits that lead to future success. Curiosity, independence, perseverance, creativity and critical thinking are woven into everyday learning, helping children become confident learners who ask questions, solve problems and think for themselves.

AN INTERNATIONAL BEGINNING

Our diverse international community provides children with daily opportunities to learn alongside classmates from different cultures, languages and perspectives. Whether English is a child’s first language or an additional language, they are supported to feel confident, included and successful from the very beginning.

STRONG FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

The Cambridge Early Years Programme provides a carefully structured pathway that supports children’s academic, social, emotional and physical development, ensuring they are fully prepared for a successful transition into Primary School and beyond.

THE CAMBRIDGE EARLY YEARS PROGRAMME

Our curriculum follows the Cambridge Early Years Programme, an internationally recognised framework rooted in the best principles of UK early childhood education.

The programme takes a holistic approach to learning, focusing on the development of the whole child and providing strong foundations for future success.

Learning is organised around six curriculum areas:

01 · Language

Communication,
Language & Literacy

Developing speaking, listening, reading and early writing skills. We follow the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme from Oxford University Press to build confident readers and writers from an early age.

02 · Numeracy

Mathematics

Building confidence with number, pattern, shape and measurement while encouraging children to explore mathematical ideas through play, investigation and problem-solving.

03 · Wellbeing

Personal, Social & Emotional Development

Helping children develop self-awareness, resilience, empathy and positive relationships, while becoming increasingly confident and independent learners.

04 · Movement

Physical Development

Supporting coordination, movement and gross and fine motor skills, while helping children develop healthy habits and confidence in what their bodies can do.

05 · Discovery

Understanding the World

Encouraging curiosity about people, places, nature and the wider world through exploration, questions and hands-on experiences.

06 · Creativity

Creative Expression

Giving children opportunities to explore ideas through art, music, drama, movement and imaginative play. The curriculum builds progressively on children's knowledge and skills, deepening understanding and confidence over time.

AT THE LISBOAN, EVERY CHILD’S JOURNEY BEGINS WITH BELONGING, DISCOVERY AND THE CONFIDENCE TO EXPLORE THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

01 · Our Approach

A Rich & Connected Curriculum

Learning is organised around engaging six-week themes that help children make meaningful connections across different areas of the curriculum.

Rather than learning subjects in isolation, children explore ideas through stories, play, investigation, creativity, mathematics, language, movement and outdoor experiences.

This integrated approach makes learning purposeful, memorable and relevant, encouraging children to ask questions, make discoveries and connect learning to the world around them.

02 · Specialist Learning

Specialist Experiences

Alongside classroom learning, children benefit from specialist experiences that broaden their skills, confidence and interests.

Portuguese Language & Culture
Drama
Music
Physical Education

Regular visits to the Primary Library help foster a love of books, stories and reading from an early age.

03 · The City as Classroom

Learning Beyond the Classroom

At The Lisboan, learning extends far beyond the classroom walls.

Every week, children spend a morning exploring the nearby Monsanto forest, building confidence through outdoor experiences.

Through our City as a Classroom approach, children explore their environment, engage with their community and develop a deeper understanding of the city they call home.

04 · Digital Learning

Technology With Purpose

Childhood should be filled with play, exploration, creativity and meaningful human interaction.

Technology has a place in our Early Years classrooms, but it is used intentionally and in moderation to enrich learning, not replace hands-on experiences.

Children take part in short, teacher-led digital activities of around 10–15 minutes each day, using technology only when it adds genuine value.

Tools such as Bee-Bots introduce computational thinking, sequencing and problem-solving through play, while interactive displays support collaborative learning.

Technology is thoughtfully concealed when not in use, ensuring it never becomes the centre of the classroom.

05 · BOA Culture

Building Confident, Caring Citizens

Even our youngest learners begin to understand their role within their community and the wider world.

Through age-appropriate experiences linked to sustainability, wellbeing and global citizenship, children learn that their choices can make a difference.

Belong Own Act

Build positive relationships
Develop independence and responsibility
Show kindness and empathy
Respect diversity
Care for their environment
Contribute to their community

06 · The Next Step

Preparing for the Next Stage

By the end of Early Years, children are confident, capable and ready to make a successful transition into Primary School.

More importantly, they leave with a strong sense of curiosity, independence and enthusiasm for learning.

These foundations support them not just for their next stage of school, but throughout their educational journey.

Start Your Admissions Journey Today

Admissions at our school is more than a process—it’s an invitation to join a vibrant, welcoming community. Your child will grow in confidence, build meaningful connections, and develop the curiosity, resilience, and global mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Find out more

"At The Lisboan International School, children can become whoever they want to be, whether that’s a professional surfer, digital entrepreneur, environmental lawyer, or teacher for the next generation." Niall Brennan - Founder of Artemis Education

"The Lisboan is something truly special. And to be part of a school from the very beginning—helping shape its culture, its energy, and its impact—is an opportunity I’m incredibly excited for." Daniel Van Dijk - PE teacher

Admissions

Experience

Our Values & Principles