Nursery

Two young children, dressed in school uniforms, are engaged in an arts and crafts activity at a table in a colorful and organized classroom environment.

The Nursery at ICS Milan welcomes children from 12 months to 3 years of age, offering the first step in a smooth and enriching learning journey that continues through Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary School in a dynamic, internationally-minded learning environment.
Our Nursery is thoughtfully designed to support each child’s wellbeing, emotional development, and natural curiosity. We follow a play-based, child-centred approach, where learning is guided by children’s interests and motivations. In this safe and stimulating setting, children are free to express themselves, build relationships, and explore the world around them at their own pace.Nursery Educators create enabling environments filled with meaningful learning opportunities that encourage independence, creativity, and discovery. Through close observation and responsive planning, teachers ensure that each child’s unique needs and developmental stage are supported.

Nursery provision is organised in a flexible way to best meet the needs of the children in our care. Our team of Nursery Practioners and Educators tailor experiences that nurture and stimulate growth and promote wellbeing and building confidence.

As children progress from Nursery into Preschool, they begin to engage with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), which builds on their natural curiosity and encourages inquiry, reflection, and agency. This smooth transition ensures that every child is supported and inspired from their very first steps in school.

A Day in Nursery

Each day in the Nursery at ICS Milan is filled with rich learning experiences, thoughtfully designed to nurture children's development through a wide variety of engaging activities. From creative play and sensory exploration to music, movement, and storytelling, every moment is an opportunity for discovery and growth.

Familiar routines and rhythms such as arrival, mealtimes, rest, and transitions—provide children with a sense of safety, belonging, and predictability. These routines are not just practical; they are meaningful parts of the learning experience, helping children build confidence, independence, and social awareness.

The nurturing care routines of the day, including changing, feeding, and sleep, are planned with sensitivity to each child’s individual needs and family context. These moments are approached with warmth and attentiveness, becoming opportunities for connection, comfort, and trust.

In this supportive environment, children feel secure to explore, express themselves, and form relationships, laying the foundation for lifelong learning.

A young child is happily playing with a colorful stacking toy in a classroom setting filled with various educational materials.

Our daily routine

Time	Activity
08:15	Nursery Opens
08:15 - 09:15	Morning Arrival
09:15 - 09:45	Circle Time, songs and stories
09:45 - 11:45	Morning Exploration, activities and games
11:45 - 12:00	Lunch Preparation
12:00 - 13:00	Lunch
13:00 - 15:00	Sleep Time
15:00 - 15:45	Snack, circle time, songs and home preparation
15:50 - 16:05	Pick up Time Band I
16:05 - 16:20	Afternoon Exploration, activities and games
16:20 - 16:35	Pick up Time Band II
16:35 - 17:05	Afternoon Exploration, activities and games
17:05 - 17:15	Pick up Band III
17:15	Nursery Closes

Transition

The transition and settling-in period at ICS Milan is a gentle and personalised process, recognising that each child’s transition into Nursery is unique. Influenced by factors such as personality, previous experiences, and individual needs, this phase is carefully supported to ensure children feel safe, welcomed, and emotionally secure from the very beginning.

Transitions are thoughtfully planned to nurture emotional and social development, giving children the time and space they need to adjust at their own pace. The presence of a parent or familiar adult during this time is fundamental. We work closely with families, encouraging their involvement in the early days to help children build trust and confidence as they take their first steps in joining our Nursery.

Throughout the settling-in period, children are introduced to new experiences through engaging, play-based activities designed to spark curiosity and support exploration. Our Nursery team take time to understand each child’s interests, motivations, and comfort levels, building strong bonds with both children and families.

Every child’s transition follows its own path, and we adapt our approach to meet individual needs. While the average settling-in time for Nursery-aged children is around 10 days, flexibility is key to ensuring that each child’s experience is positive, nurturing, and empowering.

Our Nursery Team

A group of young children are engaged in a creative activity, surrounded by colorful shelves and educational materials in a classroom setting.

At ICS Milan, our Nursery team is made up of qualified Early Years Practitioners and Educators who are deeply committed to the wellbeing and development of our youngest learners. With a shared passion for early childhood education, they work collaboratively to create a nurturing, engaging, and safe environment where every child can thrive.

Communication and teamwork are at the heart of our approach, ensuring a consistently high standard of care and learning across the Nursery. Each practitioner is attuned to the individual needs of the children, supporting them as they reach key developmental milestones while fostering a sense of joy, security, and belonging.

Every day, our team is dedicated to making sure children feel happy, nurtured, and safe, laying the foundation for confident, curious learners who are ready to take their next steps on their educational journey.

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A Day in Nursery

Our daily routine

Transition

Our Nursery Team

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