Starting school at age two can feel like a big step, for both children and parents. At Shanghai French School, the Pre-K (TPS) program offers a thoughtful and reassuring introduction to school life.
More than a traditional daycare, Pre-K is a true classroom experience, designed to support children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development before they enter K1. It is a gentle, structured first step into school, where children learn not only to discover the world, but also to feel confident, secure, and ready to learn.
A mixed-age class that builds autonomy
Pre-K students are integrated into mixed classes with K1 (PS), creating a rich and stimulating environment where:
younger children learn naturally from older peers,
routines and good habits are acquired through observation,
autonomy develops progressively and confidently.
👉 Children are gently guided to understand what it means to be a student, at their own pace.
Learning through language, play and guidance
The Pre-K program is primarily conducted in French, ensuring strong early language foundations, while children also benefit from 2 hours of Chinese per week.
Within a carefully guided environment, activities are aligned with K1 and adapted to each child’s pace:
storytelling and early language development,
vocabulary enrichment and listening skills,
simple counting and sorting,
sensory, artistic and motor exploration,
guided expression in both languages.
Teachers use visuals, repetition, and interaction to support understanding, especially for non-French-speaking children, ensuring that every child feels included and supported.
👉 Rather than focusing on results, the emphasis is on building attention, curiosity, and confidence.
A flexible and reassuring daily rhythm
The school week is designed to combine structure and flexibility
Monday to Friday: 8:00 to 15:00
An optional daycare from 15:00 to 17:00
Each day follows a reassuring rhythm:
a warm welcome with parents in the morning,
free exploration time to ease into the day,
group moments to listen, interact, and understand routines,
guided activities adapted to young learners,
rest time and calm transitions.
👉 This structured yet flexible rhythm helps children feel safe, understand expectations, and gradually engage in learning.
A small group, a strong sense of belonging
With small class sizes (maximum 12 children), each child benefits from:
close attention from a French teacher and bilingual assistants (French/Chinese),
a highly supportive and responsive environment,
a smooth and reassuring transition into school life.
👉 Children quickly develop confidence, social skills, and a sense of belonging.
Strong foundations for the future
At this age, learning goes far beyond academics. Pre-K focuses on what truly matters for long-term success:
learning to separate with confidence,
developing social skills (sharing, cooperating, expressing needs),
understanding routines and structure,
building self-esteem and trust in others,
discovering the joy of learning in a group setting.
👉 These are the essential foundations that allow children to thrive later, both in school and in life.
Pre-K at Shanghai French School is not about starting early: it’s about starting well. With a multilingual environment and a nurturing, structured approach, children grow into confident, curious learners.
It offers a gentle transition from home to school, preparing them for K1 and beyond.