What Is an International Early Years Programme? A Guide for Parents What is an international early years programme? It's a question many parents ask when choosing a school for a child aged 2–5. Not every school that teaches in English actually runs on a genuine international framework. This Westlink article helps parents tell an international early years programme apart from bilingual and standard preschool, and know what criteria to use when choosing the right school for their child. What Is an International Early Years Programme, and How Does It Differ from Bilingual and Standard Preschool? An international early years programme is an early-childhood education model built on a globally recognised academic framework — the IB (International Baccalaureate) PYP, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or the UK's EYFS. The core of it lies in the learning philosophy, not just the language. That philosophy shapes how a child learns, plays and develops every single day. Many parents mix up "international" with "bilingual." In reality, the two models differ right down to the curriculum foundation. Criteria International Early Years Bilingual Preschool Standard Preschool Curriculum framework An international framework (IB, Montessori, EYFS...) The Vietnamese framework + international supplements The Ministry of Education and Training framework Main language English or multilingual English and Vietnamese in parallel Mainly Vietnamese Approach Experiential, child-centred learning A mix of traditional and modern approaches Mostly whole-class activities Relative tuition Highest Medium to high Lowest Understanding this difference correctly helps parents choose based on their child's real needs, not just a label. If you want to keep Vietnamese alongside English, amultilingual school model is worth considering. A comparison to help parents tell the three education models apart. The Common International Early Years Frameworks No single framework is "best" for every child. Each has its own philosophy and suits a different kind of personality. The table below gives parents a quick overview before we go deeper into each framework. Framework Core Philosophy The Child's Role Suits a Child Who Is IB PYP Early Years Interdisciplinary inquiry-based learning Actively asking questions Curious, loves exploring Montessori Independence within a prepared environment Choosing their own activities Enjoys working independently Reggio Emilia Project-based learning driven by the child's own interests Co-creating the lesson Creative, loves self-expression Cambridge / EYFS Play-based learning across 7 areas of development Guided experiences Needs a clear, structured pathway IB PYP Early Years The PYP (Primary Years Programme) is the IB's programme for children aged 3–12, applied right from the earliest stage. In Early Years, children learn through inquiry rather than passive memorisation. Teachers ask open-ended questions and create space for children to discover the answers themselves. Topics are taught across subjects and tied to the child's own real life. This framework develops both thinking and character through the IB Learner Profile — a solid foundation for families aiming for an all-through IB pathway. Montessori Montessori places real value on independence and each child's own developmental pace. The classroom is designed as a "prepared environment," fitted out with distinctive learning materials. Children choose their own activities and work at their own pace. Classes are often mixed-age, so children learn from one another. This approach suits a child who enjoys focused, hands-on work. How well it's delivered depends heavily on having teachers with genuine Montessori training. Reggio Emilia Reggio Emilia originated in Italy and builds projects around what genuinely interests a child. Lessons aren't fixed in advance — they develop around what the child cares about. The classroom environment is treated as "the third teacher." Teachers document a child's learning process so they can observe and reflect on it together. This framework encourages children to express themselves in many different ways — drawing, storytelling, model-building or presenting ideas. It suits a child with a rich imagination who loves being creative. Cambridge / EYFS EYFS is the UK's early-years framework, widely used across international schools. It's organised around 7 areas of a child's development. Children learn mainly through play, but each stage still has clear goals. Teachers observe and assess a child's progress on an ongoing basis. This framework has a clear, coherent structure that's easy for parents to follow. It suits families who want a well-defined pathway from the very start of early years. 7 Benefits of an International Early Years Programme,and Factors to Consider The early years are when a child forms their cognitive, emotional and foundational skills. A genuinely good international early years programme can deliver real, lasting value. The 7 most commonly seen benefits: Natural exposure to a foreign language through everyday activities Development of emotional intelligence and social skills Learning through experience rather than rote memorisation Building independence and problem-solving ability Getting used to a multicultural, multinational environment A typically low teacher-to-child ratio, meaning closer individual attention A smoother foundation for transitioning into international primary school Children exposed to a second language early on tend to develop more natural reflexes and pronunciation. According to research reviews on early-childhood bilingualism, children who learn two languages early have an advantage in pronunciation. They also process language more flexibly and don't experience language delay. However, parents should also consider practical factors. Tuition fees for international programmes are typically significantly higher than those of bilingual or public schools. Some parents also worry their child will use less Vietnamese at school. This can be managed if the school has a clear strategy for maintaining the mother tongue. How to Recognise a Genuinely Good International Early Years Programme In the market, many schools brand themselves "international" without the foundation to back it up. The five criteria below help parents verify this more quickly. Formal accreditation / recognition: is the school recognised by an international body, such as the IB, CIS or Cambridge? This is objective evidence, not a school's own claim. Staff and the teacher-to-child ratio: teachers hold certification relevant to the framework, and the ratio is low enough for each child to get close attention. An all-through pathway: the school offers the next level up, so a child doesn't need to change schools and lose momentum when moving to primary. Safety and child protection: a clear child-protection policy, and transparent pick-up and medical procedures. Fee transparency: tuition ranges and other fees are published openly, rather than requiring parents to enquire just to find out. Don't hesitate to request documentation regarding these criteria. Authentic international programmes will readily provide verification. Five criteria to help parents verify a genuinely international programme. Understanding Costs and Determining Overall Value An international early years programme usually costs more than other models. The gap comes from the curriculum framework, the staff and the facilities. Every school sets its own fee policy by level and financial year. The safe approach is to check the official fee schedule on each school's own website — don't rely on figures passed along by word of mouth. "Worth the money" doesn't mean "the most expensive." Judge the value against four questions. Does the tuition come with an accredited curriculum framework? Does your child have a pathway to continue into the next level? What's the teacher-to-child ratio, and how strong is the teaching staff? Is the school transparent about costs and clear on its commitments? When these four factors hold up, a high tuition fee usually reflects real value. It's also worth checking the official fee schedule in advance, so you can plan your timing and budget. How to Choose an International Early Years Programme in Hanoi In Hanoi, parents have plenty of options across Tây Hồ, Cầu Giấy and Bắc Từ Liêm. The effective approach is to narrow the list down to 2–3 schools, then visit them in person. On the tour, observe exactly the criteria set out above. In particular, pay close attention to how teachers interact with children during a real lesson. The Early Years programme at Westlink is one example of an IB-framework model. The school runs the IB PYP and has been recognised as an IB World School for the PYP since 1 May 2024. Westlink is part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP), a network of international schools across more than 20 countries. The school offers a 50/50 English–Vietnamese bilingual option, plus personalised English support for children who aren't yet fluent. The 2.5-hectare campus in Tây Hồ Tây holds LOTUS green building certification. According to the school's own published information, the building achieves a 37.9% reduction in energy use — an environment where children can learn and explore safely every day. To experience the programme firsthand, parents can schedule a trial class for their child and meet with the academic admissions team. Westlink builds an international learning environment for young children. Understanding what an international early years programme actually is helps parents avoid choosing a school on label alone. What matters is checking the curriculum framework, the staff, the all-through pathway, safety, and the real cost. To see an Early Years environment built on the IB PYP framework, book a tour at Westlink.
