Inside ICS Côte d’Azur’s New Two-Year-Old Kindergarten with Head of Early Years Morgane Scherlen

Starting in September 2026, families on the French Riviera will be able to enrol their children at ICS Côte d’Azur from age two. The bilingual IB school in Sophia Antipolis is opening a brand new Two-Year-Old Kindergarten class, extending its Early Years provision to the school’s youngest learners yet.

We spoke with Morgane Scherlen, Head of Early Years at ICS Côte d’Azur, to find out what inspired the new programme, how the school’s bilingual immersion approach works for toddlers, and what a typical day looks like for its youngest learners as they learn, grow and progress through the school.

About ICS Côte d’Azur’s Early Years Programme

A Philosophy Built on Wellbeing First

Children live in a world designed for and by adults, so our primary goal in the Early Years programme is to create an environment tailored entirely to them. We want to provide a place where they feel completely at home and free to be themselves.

Our educational philosophy is built on the belief that a child’s foundation must be social and emotional first. We focus heavily on wellbeing, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Once a child feels safe, secure, and happy in their environment, their natural curiosity sparks and the academic learning flows seamlessly from there.

The most rewarding aspect about working with children at this important stage of development

The most rewarding part of my role is watching our youngest students flourish as they take their very first steps into the world of school and friendship. It is an absolute privilege to guide them as they move up through the Early Years, gaining confidence day by day and beginning to uncover their unique talents and passions.

In our unique bilingual setting, we get to witness truly magical milestones that shape who they are becoming. There is nothing quite like hearing a child speak their first words in a second language, seeing them proudly write their very first word, or watching them form their first friendships. This environment naturally opens their young minds to new cultures from the very beginning, and being part of that foundational journey is incredibly fulfilling.

Why the School is Launching a Two-Year-Old Kindergarten

When we opened our dedicated Early Childhood Centre last year for our three and four year olds, we already had the idea of a younger programme in the back of our minds for the future. However, the Centre grew incredibly fast over the course of the year and the overwhelming feedback from local families showed us that there was an immediate demand for this type of care. We quickly realised that the right time to launch was actually now.

This new programme gives us a wonderful opportunity to introduce our core values of integrity, collaboration, and support (the ICS acronym) from the gentle age of two. Additionally, starting at this younger stage makes a profound difference in language acquisition. By welcoming children at age two, we can immerse them even earlier in our bilingual environment, setting them up for a natural and successful learning journey from the very beginning.

What makes the Two-Year-Old Kindergarten at ICS Côte d’Azur different from a traditional nursery

Our Two-Year-Old Kindergarten is designed as an intentional educational setting rather than just a place for childcare. The programme is led by qualified educators and teachers who bring pedagogical expertise to the classroom, ensuring that every activity is purposeful. Children benefit from being part of a wider school ecosystem where they naturally interact with older students in our older kindergarten classes. These interactions provide our youngest learners with inspiring role models to look up to and learn from as they play and grow together.

A cornerstone of our programme is the full immersion in a bilingual setting from age two, which is highly advantageous for early language acquisition. This learning takes place within a deeply rooted culture of care, supported by an international community of both local and expatriate families. This unique environment not only offers a rich multicultural experience for the children but also creates a welcoming, supportive network for the parents themselves.

ICS Côte d’Azur’s bilingual approach

Our bilingual approach is rooted in full immersion through a dedicated team, where one teacher and an assistant each speak exclusively in their own language. This exposure extends far beyond structured classroom time, seamlessly woven into the entire school day, including the playground, the nap room, and during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. For our students, bilingualism is not an isolated subject to be taught, but rather a natural way of life that they experience and live out every single day.

A Natural, Joyful Path to Two Languages

At two years old, the human brain is perfectly designed to absorb multiple languages, even if neither English nor French is spoken at home. This natural acquisition process begins with active listening, moves into understanding context, and eventually blossoms into confident speaking. Every child progresses at their own unique pace, and we support this development through a strong focus on building vocabulary, singing songs, and sharing stories that make language learning a joyful and effortless experience.

A Culture of Care for the School’s Youngest Students

Wellbeing Woven into the Curriculum

At the heart of our Culture of Care is the belief that every child belongs here, and they can feel that the moment they walk through our doors. Instead of expecting children to fit into a rigid structure, we shape the school environment around them, ensuring they feel ownership over their own space. We deeply respect that every child develops at their own individual pace and rhythm. For our two-year-olds, this means a significant focus is placed on social-emotional development, ensuring they feel secure and valued as they take their first steps in education.

This care is formally woven into our curriculum through a dedicated well-being programme taught at every age. It covers vital topics such as bodily autonomy, consent, and conflict resolution, all adapted to be entirely age-appropriate. Furthermore, this welcoming environment is upheld by the entire school community. It is not just our teachers who champion this ethos, but every single staff member, from the reception team, to recess supervisors, to the canteen staff, ensuring that families experience a cohesive and deeply supportive community at every touchpoint.

 Helping children settle into school life and build confidence

We completely understand that transitioning to school is a major milestone, and we often find that the process can actually be harder for the parents than for the children themselves! To make this transition as smooth as possible, we implement a gentle adaptation period with staggered hours during the initial days. This allows the children to gradually familiarise themselves with their new surroundings and routines without feeling overwhelmed, building their confidence step by step.

We view our relationship with families as a true partnership, and we work closely as a team with parents through open and consistent communication. During the first few weeks, we maintain daily contact with parents to provide reassurance and updates on how their child is settling in. Our dedicated staff are always present and visible at morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times, offering a warm, welcoming, and consistent face for both children and parents every single day.

Learning Through Play

How play-based learning supports children’s development 

Play is a universal language, meaning children do not need to speak English or French to interact, connect, and enjoy themselves from day one. Through both independent play and collaborative games, they learn how to navigate social dynamics and share spaces. In the world of play, there are no mistakes. It creates a safe, low-stakes environment where children can try, fail, and try again, building vital resilience and problem-solving skills along the way.

As the children grow older and more independent, we gently introduce more structured play that incorporates specific instructions. This allows deep learning to be embedded naturally within their activities, meaning the children are acquiring essential skills without even realising it. We are passionate about fostering a love for imagination, exploration, curiosity, and sensory experiences, which is why our environment is entirely screen-free. In a modern world where there is a growing worry that children are losing the ability to simply play, we protect this precious stage of childhood, ensuring they have the time and freedom to develop naturally.

Developing key skills and qualities 

First and foremost, children develop essential socialisation skills as they learn what it means to belong to a community group. Being part of a classroom helps them navigate early relationships, share experiences, and build a foundational sense of empathy and cooperation with their peers. Alongside this social growth, the immersive bilingual aspect mentioned earlier plays a massive role, allowing children to absorb and develop their communication skills in both languages simultaneously.

Additionally, our youngest learners build incredible adaptability and resilience. Stepping into a school environment helps them become comfortable with new experiences, giving them the confidence to tackle challenges and bounce back when things do not go to plan. Finally, they quickly become accustomed to a daily routine and structure. Learning to follow a gentle school rhythm provides them with a sense of security and predictability, which serves as the perfect stepping stone for their future educational journey.

A typical day in the life of a two-year-old at ICS Côte d’Azur

• 8:30: Morning drop-off and a warm welcome for families.
• 9:00 to 9:30: Morning gathering, featuring songs, poems, and daily routines to set up the day.
• 9:30: Snack time and a bathroom break to encourage early independence.
• 10:00: Supervised activities both indoors and outdoors, focusing on art, music, fine motor skills, and sensory exploration.
• 11:30: Lunchtime for a shared, convivial meal together.
• 12:30: Nap time and a period of recovery tailored to each child’s individual rhythm.
• 14:30: Outdoor play and sports activities in the playground.
• 15:45: Afternoon pick-up and home time.

From Toddler to Kindergarten: Preparing for the Next Stage of the Early Years programme

Our Two-Year-Old Kindergarten acts as a natural bridge, ensuring a completely seamless transition into the next stage of the Early Years programme. Because the children are already deeply familiar with the school surroundings, the daily routines, and the rhythm of school life, moving up into the older classes feels exciting rather than overwhelming. They have already formed strong connections with peers and staff, meaning they enter the next year with a well-established sense of confidence and belonging.

This early foundation is particularly beneficial for their language development. In our subsequent kindergarten classes, the bilingual model transitions into a full alternating system, where children spend one day completely in English and the next completely in French, supported by two teachers and two assistants. Having already spent a year fully immersed in both languages, our two-year-olds are already accustomed to hearing and interacting in English and French, making them uniquely prepared to thrive in this more structured bilingual environment.

How the IB philosophy influences learning in the Early Years 

While our youngest two-year-old class does not follow a formal Primary Years Programme curriculum, the influence of the International Baccalaureate philosophy is deeply embedded in everything we do. Throughout the year, our learning is structured around rich, engaging themes that spark early curiosity. This approach builds a natural pathway toward the older kindergarten classes, where students fully engage with the IB units of inquiry, explore deep connections to real-world experiences, and actively develop the traits of the IB learner profile.

The IB philosophy aligns perfectly with our bilingual mission, particularly in fostering global citizenship and open-mindedness from the very beginning. Learning two languages is about so much more than just vocabulary; it is about learning to see and understand the world from multiple perspectives. By blending the core values of the IB with our immersive language environment, we encourage our youngest students to be naturally curious, empathetic, and open-minded, setting the perfect foundation for their future education.

The long-term benefits of starting a child’s educational journey from age two

Starting a child’s education with us at age two yields remarkable long-term benefits, most notably in their language development. Children who join our community at this early stage often become completely and naturally bilingual by the time they finish the Early Years programme at age 6, giving them a profound cognitive and linguistic advantage that stays with them for life. Alongside language fluency, this early immersion fosters an incredible capacity to adapt to new situations, ensuring that change is met with confidence rather than apprehension.

From a social-emotional perspective, our long-term focus is on guiding students to be genuinely themselves, helping them view their unique personality as their greatest strength. We nurture them to become exceptionally caring, open-minded, and resilient individuals who are ready to navigate the complexities of the wider world. Furthermore, because we focus entirely on the primary years and do not have a secondary school, we ensure that our students are perfectly prepared for whatever comes next. When they leave us, they possess the academic foundation, linguistic skills, and personal confidence to seamlessly enter French schools, English schools, or international bilingual systems both here in France and abroad.

How to find out more about the ICS Côte d’Azur Early Years Programme

If you are curious about our new programme, the very best thing you can do is come and meet us. We warmly invite families to get in touch to arrange a visit, as we offer both in-person and virtual tours to suit your needs. The unique warmth and energy of our school is something that is incredibly hard to translate into writing; it is something you truly need to experience first-hand to fully appreciate.

By visiting us, you will have the chance to feel the supportive environment we have created, see our dedicated staff in action, and observe how happy and settled the children are in their daily routines. We would absolutely love to welcome you to our campus and show you what makes life here so special. You can reach out to us on our website.

About Morgane Scherlen, Head of Early Years at ICS Côte d’Azur

Morgane Scherlen was born in France, and grew up moving between Colmar, Nîmes, Dijon, Nancy, and Paris. She studied Language Sciences with a specialisation in French as a Foreign Language at Université de Nancy 2, followed by a Master MEEF at Université Paris-Sorbonne, and later earned a certification in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, focusing on DYS, ADHD, and ASD.

During her university studies, she began her career in education as a French tutor, before expanding her horizons abroad with a variety of roles, including working as a specialised children’s bookseller. Her international teaching career then took her to New Caledonia, where she worked as both a substitute and classroom teacher, followed by roles as a bilingual and international school teacher, and a specialist educator supporting students with additional learning needs.

Morgane joined ICS Côte d’Azur in 2023 as the KG1 French teacher and was appointed Head of Early Years and Safeguarding in 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions: ICS Côte d’Azur

What is ICS Côte d’Azur?

ICS Côte d’Azur is a premier bilingual primary school in Sophia Antipolis, welcoming children from ages 2 to 11. It is the only bilingual primary school on the French Riviera to combine a true 50:50 English-French immersion split with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP).

Where is ICS Côte d’Azur located?

The school is located in Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, close to Cannes and Antibes, and around a 30-minute drive west of Nice.

What curriculum does ICS Côte d’Azur follow?

The school’s balanced bilingual curriculum integrates the IB framework with key elements of both the French and English national curricula, giving students a native-level command of both languages by the time they leave the primary years.

Is ICS Côte d’Azur part of a wider school group?

Yes. ICS Côte d’Azur, originally founded as EBICA, is a proud member of Globeducate, an international network of schools.

What are the school fees at ICS Côte d’Azur?

For the 2026/2027 academic year, fees range from €12,780 to €16,995 per year, depending on the year group. Full details, including enrolment steps and optional services such as lunch or extracurricular clubs, are available on the school’s tuition fee schedule.

How can prospective families arrange a visit?

Families can contact the school to arrange an in-person or virtual tour, or attend one of the five open days held each year. Full guidance is available on the How to Apply page.

What age can children start at ICS Côte d’Azur?

Children can join from age two, with the new Two-Year-Old Kindergarten class opening in September 2026, through to age 11 at the end of the primary years.

Find more school interviews and education guides on the MumAbroad blog.