Infant Care

• Safe, clean and stimulating environment
• Trained and highly attentive teachers
• More than just care giving
• Interactive activities conducted by teachers daily, eg. Storytelling, music & movement, rhymes, etc.
• Physical activities to encourage crawling, standing, walking

Child Care

• Integrated curriculum (Thematic & Montessori Approach)
• Focus on developing good character and instilling moral values in children
• Allow children to explore surrounding and embrace that children learn best through play
• Promotes independence in children by allowing children opportunities to "help themselves"

Character Education (CE)
Helios uses a CE approach for its core curriculum.

At Helios Preschool, we take a holistic approach that integrates character development into every aspect of school life. Basically it is the school's culture, it's in the way we talk, the behaviours we model, the conduct we tolerate, the deeds we encourage, the expectations we transmit. It's in everything we do.

What is Character Education?
Simply put, Character Education (CE) is everything we do that influences the character of the children that we teach.

According to Dr. Thomas Lickona's definition, "Character Education is the deliberate effort to help people understand, care about, and act upon core ethical values." In his landmark book, Educating for Character, Dr. Lickona asserts that "When we think about the kind of character we want for our children, it's clear that we want them to be able to judge what is right, care deeply about what is right, and then do what they believe to be right—even in the face of pressure from without and temptation from within."

Helios Approach to CE
At Helios Preschool, we holistically integrate character development into every aspect of school life. Some of the distinguishing features are as follows:

• Everything in the school is organized around the development of relationships between and among students, staff, and community.
• Social and emotional learning is emphasized as much as academic learning.
• Cooperation and collaboration among students are emphasized over competition.
• Values such as fairness, respect, and honesty are part of everyday lessons in and out of the classroom.
• Discipline and classroom management concentrate on problem-solving rather than rewards and punishments.

On top of the Holistic approach, Helios also creates specific character education lesson plans, a list of specifically chosen virtues such as respect, responsibility, integrity, patience, etc., and typically involves the kids in reading, writing, discussing, role playing, and other kinds of activities that help them understand and apply these values.

Physical Development

• Age appropriate exercises and games planned for children daily
• Big indoor play/ gymnasium area
• Private playground ensures hygiene and safety Indoor playground/ gymnasium includes wall climbing, slide, swings, tricycles, etc…

Intellectual Development

• Integrated Montessori curriculum helps children learn from concrete materials to abstract ideas
• Themes revolve around things the children are familiar with, eg. Animals, transportation, colours, etc. Hence, it is easy for children to develop interest and understanding in learning
• Children learn through play with fun-filled activities (memory games, puzzles, learning corners, etc)
• Uses interactive media to teach

Emotional Development
Children are taught to express their feelings, emotions, needs and wants appropriately through lessons and daily school life Character education in our curriculum helps children handle their emotions better, eg. teaching a child to wait patiently vs. throwing tantrums to get his/ her way

Social Development
Children are given opportunities to work in groups to learn how to share, compromise, and to empathize with their peers Children are encouraged to play and develop friendship with peers