Admissions Open 2025-2026
Learn more our unique English National Curriculum with the Senior Leadership Team | Register Now
As children get ready to enter primary school, many Vietnamese families begin seeking ways to help them adjust to the new environment. In this context, high-quality pre-Year 1 programmes aligned with the British curriculum are increasingly drawing the attention of parents looking for a well-rounded start to their child’s formal education.
Renowned for its emphasis on holistic development, the British education system offers full-time schooling for children from the age of four, starting each September in Reception classes. However, parents may choose to delay enrolment until their child is five, depending on individual readiness.
Many countries around the world also introduce formal schooling at age five, which is earlier than the standard age of six in Vietnam. That said, in most of these countries, preparation for primary school often takes the form of short, informal courses or at-home learning rather than part of the official school structure.
By contrast, the British Reception year is a formal part of the national curriculum. It serves as a crucial transition between early childhood education and formal primary learning, easing children from play-based environments into structured classroom settings – while maintaining flexibility to match each child’s developmental pace.
In many current early education programmes, children may attend only a few sessions per week, sometimes for just a few weeks or months before starting Year 1. These short-term approaches often focus on basic skills such as holding a pencil, early writing, phonics, and simple numeracy.
However, expecting young children to engage in intensive, focused academic activities for one to two hours at a time often proves ineffective. Studies have shown that the average attention span for children under six rarely exceeds 25 minutes. In this light, a year-long Reception programme based on the British model offers clear advantages. It allows children to gradually acquire the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to thrive in primary school.
A well-designed Reception class is typically divided into key phases: getting to know the learning environment, building core skills, and preparing for full primary integration.
At each stage, classroom time and activities are adapted to support children’s natural interests and individual pace of development. This tailored approach helps young learners grow in confidence while enabling educators to observe closely, respond thoughtfully, and offer personalised support.
Reception students also begin to participate in group-based activities such as assemblies, STEAM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), music sessions, and community-based learning. Many international schools complement this with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), which offers children opportunities to explore meaningful themes and build early communication skills.
Some programmes also include partnerships with external institutions such as arts organisations or cultural bodies, enhancing children’s creativity and exposure from a young age.
Rather than pushing content knowledge too early, British-style Reception classrooms prioritise essential learning behaviours: concentration, independence, self-care, following instructions, and understanding classroom routines. Alongside academic readiness (recognising shapes, colours, phonics, basic maths), these skills set the stage for a smooth transition into formal schooling.
Unlike short-term pre-primary courses, Reception is a fully integrated school year with stable routines and appropriate teacher-student ratios. Lessons are delivered in whole-class formats rather than in informal small groups, offering greater consistency and social development opportunities.
In many international contexts, Reception may also include instruction in more than one language, helping children develop bilingual thinking and flexible communication skills – essential tools for success in today’s global world.
Strong home–school partnerships are particularly important during the early primary years. Schools often engage parents through regular workshops, one-on-one meetings, and shared resources to help families support their children’s learning journey with confidence.
To deepen understanding of the role Reception plays in children’s development, some schools offer information sessions or forums on topics such as “Supporting Your Child into Year 1”.
These events allow parents to hear from experienced educators, exchange insights with other families, and better prepare for the transition ahead.
In the international environment at BVIS, helping your child develop their English communication skills is an important and meaningful journey. For parents who are not native speakers, this can present various challenges. However, with the right guidance and support, you can help your child gain confidence in using English while still maintaining the development of their mother tongue.
