Early Childhood
Our Early Childhood Center provides concrete learning experiences in literacy, numeracy, creativity, as well as social and physical development.
A warm welcome from our Principal
Welcome to our Early Childhood Center (ECC), a vibrant and joyful community where our youngest students are cherished. Guided by loving and committed teachers, students learn to make wise choices, work and play well with others, and demonstrate high standards of character and courtesy.
On any given day as you visit our ECC, you will see our students engaged in purposeful play. Research shows that play-based learning is one of the most important factors in young students’ social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development. With teachers modeling, students use real-world materials and tools to explore learning themes in math, literacy, and science. Students’ imaginations come to life as they practice verbal language and persevere in problem-solving, embrace new discoveries and collaborate with classmates from different cultures.
Every day matters here as we instill the growth mindset and habits of character that develop innovative thinkers, skilled communicators and courageous leaders.
Warmly
Colleen Quernemoen
Principal of Student Well-being
Bringing the curriculum to life
Play-based activities
Play and physical development are important parts of our program. From the inside of our building to the outdoor classroom, it will be clear that our children are growing in a developmentally appropriate environment.
Language foundations
Playful language activities such as practice story-telling, singing, phonics and rhymes build the foundations of literacy and language skills. With their new English foundations, ECC students then go on to socialize with their peers and navigate emotions together.
Creative skills
Art, music and role play are all incorporated into daily activities, helping early childhood students to learn through creative play and active discovery of their world.
Character and leadership foundations
Early childhood is a critical age in which our teachers lay the foundation for fundamental life skills such as learning integrity, developing values, independence, thinking carefully, expressing emotions, communicating and taking care of the world around us.
Chinese language and culture
China is an amazing stage for learning and experiences. Our Chinese program caters for beginners to advanced Chinese learners, with an emphasis on our youngest students learning Chinese through play and self-expression.
Student experiences
Excursions
ECC students set out on excursions to nearby parks and businesses to explore nature, play new games and expand their worldviews. ECC students will go out at least twice per year, based on their age.
The joy of expression
Three times every year, ECC students present their art and perform songs and dances during our Fine Art Galas and China Week celebration.
Our Early Childhood teaching team
Colleen Quernemoen
Principal of Student Well-being
June Sun
ECC + Elementary Principals' Assistant
Chuck Birkenstock
ECC Teacher
Michelle Bishop
ECC Teacher
Goodwill Riggins
ECC Teacher
Joy Cassel
ECC Teaching Assistant
Susan Yu
ECC Teaching Assistant
Phoebe Dong
ECC Teacher Assistant
Sandy Qu
Learning Support Co-Teacher
Angel Luan
Librarian
Amber Fu
ECC + Elementary Art teacher + Co-Teacher
Gloria Oh
PE Teacher + PE HOD
Mia Liu
Specialist Teaching Assistant-Music
Nancy WangSijie
ECC + Elementary Well-being Counselor + Learning Support Co-Teacher
Recognized for excellence
International School of Qingdao is accredited by Cognia, the largest education improvement organization in the world—demonstrating our commitment to learners, teachers, leaders and communities.
Grow academically and beyond
Ready to receive the highest quality education in a warm, caring and encouraging community?