What we believe Our mission

E L C
T I S A
What we believe
We believe that by encouraging children to explore their world through a rich
variety of interesting and challenging experiences, they can construct their own
learning, extend their understandings and develop skills. This approach will have
a significant impact on their self-esteem and the development of positive
attitudes. We value each child as an individual who learns in his/her own way
and at his/her own pace.
Our mission
The TISA Mission is to prepare students to become life-long learners and positive
contributors to their local and global communities. TISA will prepare its students
for the next stage of their education through a high quality, well-balanced
educational programme. TISA will deliver its programme according to the
universally recognised educational principles, practices and beliefs of the
International Baccalaureate.
We meet the mission in the ELC by:
• employing qualified and experienced early childhood educators
• maintaining a low student - teacher ratio in order to meet the individual
needs of children as well as the needs of the group
• building strong partnerships with parents to model mutual respect and shared
responsibility
• creating a warm, colourful and nurturing environment in which children can
grow and develop
• equipping our facility with a wide variety of developmentally appropriate
materials and resources selected to foster the natural curiosity of children

A developmentally appropriate
programme
The emphasis in the ELC is on learning through play in an environment designed
to encourage:
• discovery
• independence
• social skills development
by teaching children how to:
• make choices
• help themselves
• take initiative
• care and respond to the
needs of others
We provide children with a balance of child-initiated and teacher-facilitated
activities. The program offers children a variety of choices. The classroom
environment is ordered around units of inquiry which are interdisciplinary
studies integrating areas such as:
• exploration, discovery, investigation • play
• physical education
• language and literacy
• art
• mathematics
• science
• music
• ICT learning
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) provides the framework for our
curriculum throughout the primary school. If you would like more information
about the PYP at TISA, please refer to TISA’s Primary Years Programme Guide
available from the school office or on our school’s website at www.tisa.az
All experiences are designed to provide dynamic, exciting opportunities for gross
and fine motor skills development, and development of the five PYP
transdisciplinary skills; social skills, communication skills, self-management skills,
research skills and thinking skills.

The TISA ELC Facility
Spacious central open areas for:
• singing and music in combined groups
• interaction between P1 and P2 classes
• engagement with all ELC staff
• exciting play and developmental opportunities
• detailed observation of all children by all staff
Focussed learning areas for:
• student-initiated activities
• teacher-led activities
Movement areas for:
• specialist activities
• gross motor skill activities
Outside play area for:
• gross and fine motor activities
• active and quiet play groups
Kitchen and dining room for:
• children’s snack and lunch selection
• food preparation by the children and adults
• science and baking activities
Practical information
Dates
The school year begins in August and ends in June. All important dates can be
found on the school’s website: www.tisa.az
Entry ages
Children in P1 must be three years of age by September 1st. Children in P2 must
be four years of age by September 1st. All children must be toilet-trained prior to
entry.

Daily schedule
P1
P2
08:15 drop off 08:15 drop off
08:30 morning meeting and
classroom activities
08:30 morning meeting and
classroom activities
09:45 snack time 09:10 snack time
10:00 outdoor inquiry time 9:25
10:00
colour group time
outdoor inquiry time
10:30 singing 10:30 singing time
10:45 inquiry time 10:45 inquiry time
11:45 lunch 11:45 class time for reflection
12:00 story time 12:00 lunch
12:15 pick up 12:30 outdoor time
13:00 small group time
14:00 pick up
Meals
A morning snack of cheese, fruit and vegetables is provided for all students.
Children choose from a varied lunch menu through the week. We ask that
children do not bring food from home as we have children with serious food
allergies.
Language of instruction
English is the language of instruction. Our teachers and assistants represent a
variety of nationalities and many are fluent in two or more languages.
We value our language-rich community and encourage parents to support their
child’s mother tongue development at home.
Pick up
If your child is being picked up by an adult who is not on your pick-up list, please
ensure that you have sent a written permission note to your child’s homeroom
teacher the previous day. The person picking up your child must be aware of the
arrangements and should also communicate with the homeroom teacher.
If your child needs to picked up early by a nanny or driver who is listed on your
security form, please also ensure that you have sent written permission to your
child’s homeroom teacher the previous day.

Frequently asked questions
What does my child have to bring to school on the first day?
• a hat
• a small backpack or a rucksack
• two changes of clothes (including two pairs of underwear and socks), to be
kept in their backpack
• indoor and outdoor shoes – they should be comfortable and practical. High
heels and fashion shoes are not appropriate. All shoes should come with
velcro fastenings so that your child can put them on independently
• boots for gardening
All items must be clearly labelled with your child’s name.
What about water and food?
Please do not send water and food to school. Water and healthy, nutritious
snacks are available throughout the day. We have a strict nut-free policy as we
have children with life-threatening nut allergies in our school.
Which clothes are suitable for ELC?
Children should wear comfortable clothes that do not restrict their movement or
their choice of activities. Fastenings should make it easy for children to dress
themselves. Children will be
painting, gluing and generally
getting grubby! Therefore,
please send your child in
working clothes. Dresses and
skirts should not be long as this
is dangerous when climbing.
Outdoor shoes should be
suitable for active play.
What about sun safety?
In ELC, we have adopted a slip, slop, slap policy. In other words, when outside,
slip on a t-shirt, slop on some sun-cream and slap on a hat. Research has shown
that there is a link between exposure to sun in childhood and skin cancer as an
adult. Shoulders are particularly vulnerable and should be covered, therefore
spaghetti straps and vest tops are not suitable.

What are the school hours?
Children should be dropped off between 8:15am and 8:30am. It is important that
children come to school on time. The first part of the morning is when the
children discuss and plan what they will do for the day.
• P1 children should be picked up at 12:15pm
• P2 children should be picked up at 2:00pm
How do I communicate with my child’s teacher?
Teachers are available before and after school every day for a quick chat. If you
wish to discuss an issue in more detail, then you should email your child’s
teacher to make an appointment. (The teacher’s emails addresses are on the last
page of this brochure).
How does my child’s teacher communicate with me?
• ELC newsletter approximately every eight weeks
• parent information notice boards in the ELC foyer
• parent information evenings and Round Table Meetings
• parent/teacher conferences and written reports
• celebrations of learning
How do I find out more about the curriculum in ELC?
Evidence of learning can be seen in the ELC foyer where displays around the ELC
support the curriculum and reflect children’s learning. Information is also
available on the school website http://www.tisa.az/. Additionally an
appointment can be made to discuss the ELC curriculum with our PYP
Coordinator, Kate Benson.

What is meant by toilet training?
Children must be able to go the toilet independently and without assistance.
Can my child bring a toy to school?
Children are not to bring toys to school as we cannot ensure that the toys do not
get lost or broken during the school day.
Can I send a birthday cake or birthday treats to school with my child.
When recognising your child’s birthday at school, small birthday snacks are
appreciated however, please ensure that snacks are easy to distribute (i.e.
cupcakes) and adhere to the school’s ‘no nut’ policy. No commercially purchased
cakes can be brought in to share with children. Please arrange a suitable time
with homeroom teachers prior to their birthday if you wish to have a small class
celebration.
If my child has an older sibling in the primary school what can I do about pick
up for the child in the ELC?
You can use the afternoon club at BTK. Children are escorted safely there after
school. This is available for both P1 and P2 children. Contact the admissions
officer to discuss this.
When will the children use the library in the ELC?
The children will have library lessons with their homeroom teacher when they
can choose a book, and an additional weekly session with the teacher librarian.
They each receive a library bag when they begin school. Please ensure they
return their book, in its bag, to the homeroom in time for the next library lesson.
When can parents use the library in the ELC?
For parents the ELC library is open from 8:15am until 8:45am from Monday to
Friday. Parents may have books issued by our library assistant Farida. These
books are issued in the parent’s name as children borrow their own library book
during their class library time.

Illnesses
These tips can help you decide whether to keep your child at home:
1. If your child complains of not feeling well but otherwise has no definite
symptoms, your child can likely attend school. The school nurse will typically call
you if something more develops. Be sure to contact your paediatrician if the
complaints persist or other more definite sick symptoms develop.
2. Fever is a symptom of illness and not an actual diagnosis. Fever usually
indicates that the body is battling an infection. A child with a fever greater than
100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius needs to stay home from school
until the fever is gone for at least 24 hours. If the fever does not resolve in two to
three days, or if your child appears sick with any fever, call your doctor to have
your child evaluated.
3. Many rashes will resolve spontaneously and are not reason alone to keep a
child home from school. Any rash associated with symptoms such as trouble
breathing or swallowing, fever, or ill appearance, should be evaluated by your
physician. Rashes that are itchy or scaly may be contagious and should be
evaluated before sending a child back to school.
4. Cough alone may not prevent your child from attending school unless it is
interfering with a child’s sleep or ability to participate in school activities. If the
cough is productive and has phlegm or is associated with fever or trouble
breathing, keep your child home from school and arrange to have the child seen
by their paediatrician.
5. Stool problems do sometimes require a child to stay home from school. This is
especially true with diarrhoea where the stool frequency is often many times an
hour. Diarrhoea that is bloody or associated with fever, abdominal pain, or
vomiting should be evaluated by your doctor.
6. A child with vomiting, with or without diarrhoea, needs to stay home from
school. Your child can return to school when the symptoms have stopped and
the child can tolerate a regular diet.
7. Children can attend school with mild sore throats if no other symptoms are
occurring. Any child with a sore throat associated with fever, vomiting,
abdominal pain, or difficulty swallowing should be evaluated by a doctor before
returning to school. Call your child’s school and ask if strep throat is going

around; if so, have your child tested. A child with a diagnosis of strep throat
needs to stay out of school until on antibiotics for 24 hours.
8. If your child appears really sick, keep your child home and arrange an
evaluation by your doctor that day. If you can’t get through to your doctor and
you are really concerned, either call to International SOS or bring your child to
the nearest emergency room for evaluation.
9. Call your doctor’s office for
advice if you are not sure about
your child’s condition or have
questions about whether your
child should stay home from
school. International SOS has a
service 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. So, even after hours, you
will be able to reach someone
for assistance.
Many illnesses can be stopped
before they spread by reminding everyone to practice frequent hand washing,
blowing noses into tissues, covering mouths when coughing or sneezing, and
asking other parents about sick symptoms in their kids before arranging play
dates and carpools. If only it were so simple – even the best hygiene practices
can’t avoid the spread of all winter illnesses. Sometimes staying home is the only
way to benefit our kids, our communities and ourselves.
Special circumstances
The exclusion criteria in this information are aimed at generally healthy children.
Immunocompromised children with an excludable condition or exposure may
need longer periods of exclusion, subject to recommendations by their health
care provider(s).
Period of exclusion
Infected children should be excluded from school until they are no longer
considered contagious which is mentioned under each disease. If a student does
not respond to treatment for an excludable condition, the health care provider
should review the case and suggest longer periods of exclusion.

Frequent hand washing is the most important technique for preventing the
transmission of disease. Proper hand washing requires the use of (liquid) soap
and vigorous washing under a stream of temperate (warm), running water.
• hands should be wet under running water before applying soap
• hands should be washed vigorously for 15-30 seconds
• particular attention should be paid to thumbs, fingernails and between
fingers. Rinse hands thoroughly.
• hands should be dried thoroughly with a hand dryer or paper towels after
washing
Confidentiality
School staff with knowledge of a person diagnosed with a notifiable condition
may only release that information to others who are responsible for protecting
the health of the public through control of disease or the people who may have
had potential exposure and need medical surveillance. Additionally, schools are
required to implement policies and procedures to maintain confidentiality of
medical information possessed by the school.
Disclaimer
This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis and
treatment of medical conditions. All reasonable care has been taken in compiling
the information but there is no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or
other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
Suggested website: http://kidshealth.org/

The ELC Team
ELC Coordinator + P1 Team Leader
P2 Team Leader
ELC Administrative Assistant:
Claudine Olver
Anthony Hamblin
Nigar Hasanova
P1C – Gold Group
P1CW – Purple Group
P1S – Red Group
P2L – Orange Group
P2A – Yellow Group
P2F – Green Group
P2T – Blue Group
Claudine Olver (olver_claudine@tisa.az)
Anastasiya Vanina, Sabina Abdullayeva
Chee Wan Yuen (yuen_cheewan@tisa.az)
Aida Elkhanzade, Kamila Abilova
Soraya Parkinson (parkinson_soraya@tisa.az)
Nazira Kishiyeva, Amaliya Panahova
Luda Volodko (volodko_ludmila@tisa.az)
Pervin Kerimova, Madina Mustafayeva
Anthony Hamblin (hamblin_anthony@tisa.az)
Albina Gafurova, Nelly Khan
Foster Itter (itter_foster@tisa.az)
Sevda Rzayeva, Aynur Suleymanova
Tara Greenall (greenall_tara@tisa.az)
Nika Abbasova, Tarana Babayeva
ELC Cleaning Staff:
Nubar Aliyeva
Yana Orujeva
Svetlana Gozalova
ELC Security Guard:
Farid Talibov
ELC security mobile phone number: 0502410537
ELC security guard extension: 145
ELC Office extension: 154