Early Years
(Pre-K & Kindergarten)
Welcome Information

The Early Years at ISH
At ISH, the Early Years programme includes Pre-K and Kindergarten:

• Pre-K (for children aged 3 and 4)
  If your child turns three before August 15th of the current school year, they will begin in Pre-K and remain in the programme for two years.
  If your child turns four before August 15th, they will spend one year in Pre-K before moving on to Kindergarten.

• Kindergarten (for children aged 5)
  If your child turns five before August 15th of the current school year, they will enter Kindergarten.

First Day of School Timings: Monday, August 11th, 2025:

*Please refer to your child’s class Welcome Letter for specific first day timings, as settling-in schedules vary by class.

Early Years families will be informed the week before school begins about which group their child will be in for their first classroom visit.

• Pre-K
  Group 1: 8:45 to 9:45
  Group 2: 10:00 to 11:00

Pre-K families will meet outside the classroom doors on the ground floor. During this visit, you will meet your child’s educators, explore the classroom environment, place items in your child’s cubby, participate in the morning meeting, and enjoy a short playtime. We kindly ask that only one parent accompany their child during this time.

• Kindergarten
  Group 1: 8:30 to 10:00
  Group 2: 10:30 to 12:00

Kindergarten children will be dropped off outside the front entrance (see the map below) and will enter the school independently with their teacher. Before the first day, we recommend talking to your child about how you will say goodbye and reassuring them that you will be back soon. A short and calm goodbye is best, even if there are a few tears. Once the day begins, children settle in quickly and enjoy their time at school.

During this time, your child will meet their teachers, explore the classroom, place items in their cubby, join the morning meeting, and enjoy a short period of play.

We kindly ask all families to leave the school grounds promptly after drop-off and pick-up. To keep the playground safe and calm for children in class, we ask that families do not remain on school premises between drop-off and pick-up.

First Day of School Practical Information:

The first few days of school are an important time of transition for both new and returning children. We understand that this period can be emotional for children and parents, and we are here to support you through it.

To help make your child’s start as smooth and comfortable as possible, the first days will be shorter. This gives your child time to become familiar with their new classroom, routines, and relationships. If needed, your child’s teacher may contact you to arrange an early pick-up to support their well-being.

Each Early Years class has a settling-in schedule for the first days. You will find this schedule in your class Welcome Letter. We ask that you review it carefully and make the necessary arrangements, as all new and returning children will follow this schedule.

As part of the settling-in schedule, there will be a Listening Conference - a ten-minute meeting with your child’s teaching team. This is a chance for you to share anything you feel is important about your child or family, and to speak about your hopes for the year ahead. For more information about your child’s Listening Conference, please refer to the Welcome Letter. 

Online Parent Information Sessions (per class): 

These are required sessions. The sessions will be online:

• Pre-K & Kindergarten sessions are: Thursday, 7th August, 13:00-14:00 

• Pre-K link: meet.google.com/ato-bbut-mmk

• Kindergarten link: meet.google.com/ufp-cxtu-amd

Class Lists: 

You will be able to see your child's class (A or B) on Toddle starting Thursday, August 7th, when we open the 2025-2026 school year. You will receive your child's class list via email through Toddle on Friday, August 8th.

Lunch Information for Pre-K Families:

At ISH, we are committed to providing a healthy and nutritious lunch service for our students. While the programme is available to all, Danish law requires that either all Pre-K students participate in the lunch service or none do. Every two years, we conduct a vote among Pre-K parents to decide whether the lunch programme should be mandatory for all Pre-K students. In the most recent vote, held in August/September 2024, the majority of parents voted in favor, making participation mandatory. Our next Pre-K lunch vote will be held in November 2026. You can find more details about the Pre-K lunch terms and conditions on the school website here.

Please note: All Pre-K families must submit the form below before the first day of school unless otherwise agreed with the school due to food allergies. If you have multiple Pre-K children, please submit a separate form for each child.

Pre-K Lunch Service Information Sheet

For any questions, please contact the ISH lunch team at lunch@ish.dk.

Morning Club and After School Care Program (ASCP) Information: 

• For Pre-K and Kindergarten, read the Welcome Letter to see when Morning Club and ASCP are available for your child. 

• All Early Years students must enroll or re-enroll using the online ASCP enrollment form.

• School closes at 17:00 sharp. You must pick up your child on time (not after 16.55). In case of repeated lateness, a late fee of 200 DKK will be charged on the following month's invoice. 

Morning Club is open from 7:00 - 8:15. After School Care (ASCP) runs from 14:20 - 17:00 Monday through Thursday, and from 13:30 to 17:00 on Fridays.

In the Early Years, we recommend shorter days at the beginning of the school year to support a gentle and secure transition. Please refer to your child’s settling-in schedule in the Welcome Letter for more details.

For more information on the ASCP Programme, contact Ms. Chiara Giani at cgiani@ish.dk

Holistic and Integrated Learning Approach

At the International School of Hellerup, our Pre-K and Kindergarten programs follow a holistic and integrated approach to learning that supports the whole child. Physical movement and musical exploration are integrated into daily classroom experiences and woven into our play-based and inquiry-driven curriculum.

This approach allows children to engage regularly in meaningful physical and musical activities that are directly connected to their learning within the IB units of inquiry. It supports the development of gross and fine motor skills, creativity, self-expression, and well-being in a way that feels natural, consistent, and joyful.

Our educators thoughtfully incorporate music and movement throughout the day, using them to extend inquiry, support transitions, build social connections, and encourage curiosity. This integrated model also minimises unnecessary transitions, providing children with a more cohesive and nurturing learning environment.

This way of working reflects our commitment to IB transdisciplinary learning and the Danish Pedagogical Curriculum, ensuring that each child’s physical, emotional, and creative development is supported every day.

Meet the Early Years Team

Visit the Faculty & Staff page on the school website to read more about our teachers! A more detailed teacher bio is waiting for you in the Welcome Letter.