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
June Sun
ECC + Elementary Principals' Assistant
June Sun
ECC + Elementary Principals' Assistant
Master of Tourism, Monash University
12 years in education
11th year at ISQ
Goodwill Riggins
Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Goodwill Riggins
Kindergarten Lead Teacher
B.S. in Elementary Education, University of Northern Philippines
13 years teaching
3rd year at ISQ
Susan Yu
ECC Teaching Assistant
Susan Yu
ECC Teaching Assistant
B.A. Art Design, Xi’an Polytechnic University
15 years teaching
5th year at ISQ
Phoebe Dong
ECC Specialist Teaching Assistant
Phoebe Dong
ECC Specialist Teaching Assistant
M.Sc. in Desert Studies (Biotechnology), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
7 years teaching
5th year at ISQ
Sandy Qu
Learning Support Co-Teacher
Sandy Qu
Learning Support Co-Teacher
M.A. Special Education, Liberty University;
B.A. Accounting, Business Management, Qingdao University
14th years teaching
14th year at ISQ
Angel Luan
Librarian
Amber Fu
ECC + Elementary Art teacher + Co-Teacher
Amber Fu
ECC + Elementary Art teacher + Co-Teacher
International Trade and Economics, Qingdao University
13 years in education
13th year at ISQ
Mia Liu
Specialist Teaching Assistant-Music
Mia Liu
Specialist Teaching Assistant-Music
B.A. Music Education, Qufu Normal University
Bachelor’s degree in Business English, Jiamusi University
8 years teaching
8th year at ISQ
Nancy WangSijie
ECC + Elementary Well-being Counselor
Nancy WangSijie
ECC + Elementary Well-being Counselor
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Liberty Universitys
10 years in education
10th year at ISQ
Anthea Chen
Grade 3 Teaching Assistant
Anthea Chen
Grade 3 Teaching Assistant
9 years teaching
2nd year at ISQ
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
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