Early Years

Ages 2-5 | International Preschool in Rome | Nursery, Kindergarten, Transition

young student tossing a ball with his teacher during a PE class ball-toss game.

young student showing paint-covered hands during a hands-on art activity

Learning Through
Play & Inquiry

In our safe and nurturing Early Years environment, children begin their learning journey through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme from the age of two. Our Nursery welcomes children who turn two by 30th September into a play-based, developmentally appropriate environment where learning is shaped by each child's stage of development.

Through purposeful play and inquiry, children ask questions, investigate ideas, and make meaningful connections as they explore the world around them. Supported by caring educators, they develop the confidence, independence, creativity, and critical thinking skills that lay strong foundations for lifelong learning.

Confidence Takes Root

Nature is an extension of the Early Years classroom at RIS. Surrounded by the Monte Mario Nature Reserve in Rome, children learn through play, inquiry, and exploration, developing confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning as they connect with the world around them.

Whether exploring woodland trails, creating with natural materials, observing seasonal changes, or enjoying stories beneath the trees, every outdoor experience inspires curiosity and nurtures a lasting appreciation for nature. Read more about our approach to outdoor education.

young student mixing ingredients in a bowl during a classroom cooking activity

students seated together at an outdoor picnic table, smiling and talking in the sunlight.

"When lessons move outside, we see a natural boost in student engagement as curiosity peaks in an open, stimulating environment. This setting deeply supports student wellbeing, offering a peaceful space that fosters emotional health and a calm mindset. Most importantly, it allows children to make meaningful, real-world connections, ensuring that their education is not just theoretical, but rooted in the world they see and touch every day."

- Maria Palma Doriano, Early Years & Elementary School Principal