Frequently Asked Questions
We strongly recommend visiting us prior to applying to experience the atmosphere and discuss your expectations. If you are not in Sofia we can arrange a phone or video call before you apply. We hold monthly Open House days between December and June, and you can also organize a one-to-one meeting separately.
To book a place in your child’s age group, you need to complete the online application form and we will contact you to confirm availability. The process is simple and we will guide you through it. Depending on the time of your application you will be asked to pay the joining fee and deposit to guarantee your place.
If we cannot offer a space you can join the waiting list and we will stay in touch about space availability.
ICCC charges an annual membership fee for the school year (September to June), paid in three installments. The Summer program is optional and is paid extra. We also charge a one off joining fee upon registration. Fee information can be seen here.
ICCC has a small bus equipped with age appropriate child safety seats and accompanied by supervising member of staff. Pick up is from your address or an agreed location along the bus route. If we are unable to offer bus service to your location we can recommend reliable family taxi service. (link to Fees Page)
Membership fees paid in advance are not refunded. Under special circumstances the ICCC Parent Board may review refund requests and grant exception.
We provide healthy mid-morning snack – a variety of fruits, and afternoon snack – cheese sandwiches, couscous or full-grain crackers with veggies and cheese; muesli and yogurt; fruit muffins; pancake, etc. Lunch includes sup, salad and main course. Food is provided daily by our catering at extra cost of 8.60 BGN per day. If a child has special health related dietary requirements we cannot cater for, parents can provide food from home.
For children aged 2 and 3 we offer a choice of half or full day attendance. If you opt for the half day attendance plan, your child will normally be here from 8am to 12.30pm. Three full days is also an option, especially if you have older children at ICCC on full day schedule. Children aged 4 or 5 years can attend full time only.
We know starting school is a big step for both children and parents. We want to make this step carefully yet confidently because children need reassurance from both their parents and teachers that they will be OK.
We plan the first few days and weeks carefully so your child can receive support to separate from parents and learn to trust the new carers. We start with one r two playdates to introduce the child, followed by short stays until the child is ready to spend more time at school. For most children 3 weeks are enough to transition to full days. We ‘hold you hand’ in this process so you feel comfortable with every step.
Try to see this process as an opportunity for your child to grow and learn new skills. Celebrate every little success in their adjustment and trust they can do it.
Read more in our News
Choosing who will care and educate your child in the most formative years of their life is an important decision. Location, facilities and financial terms are obvious factors. However, we believe that values, approach and educational philosophy should have higher priority. Here is our advice about 5 good questions to ask yourself and the school.
In 2015 we introduced the UK International Primary Curriculum for children aged 3-5, which in 2016 was developed into a full early years curriculum for children 2 to 5 years with the name the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC). It is used in a large number of schools both worldwide and in the UK. The IEYC is based on the latest research on how young children learn. Its underlying principles are child centered, active learning which fosters the child’s natural curiosity towards the world. Children are supported to grow an open mindset and international mindedness. We use programs like Jolly Phonics and a variety of math resources to supplement the IEYC (link to Program page)
We use the Positive Discipline framework for guiding children’s behavior and teaching them important social emotional skills. We help children understand their emotions and learn to self regulate. We use encouragement, age appropriate strategies to calm down, class rules and consequences. We treat children with respect and value them for who they are. Teachers support kids to make good choices, solve conflicts and develop healthy relationships with friends. We work with families to ensure a good link between school and home.
Although we have native speaking children at ICCC, the majority of children speak different languages and come to us with no English. Children are fully immersed in the English language while at school and soon they begin to understand and communicate in the new language. We limit the number of Bulgarian speaking children to guarantee that English will be both the language of instruction and play at school. This also guarantees a vibrant multicultural community which helps children develop international mindedness.
We understand that young children get sick when they first start school, and they build their immunity through exposure to different viruses and bacteria when they are in contact with other children and adults. The range of reactions could vary from a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough to fever, persistent coughing, drop in energy and appetite, moodiness or symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, etc.. Parents are best positioned to judge when the child doesn’t need to change their daily routine, or they should rest at home to help them get over the sickness and also to protect other children from the exposure. Therefore we ask parents to cooperate and make the best decision for everyone’s sake.
If our school nurse or staff members see during morning drop off that a child exhibits clear symptoms of sickness we will ask parents to take the child home or to a doctor and return only after confirmation from the doctor that the child is healthy. If a child becomes unwell during school hours we will expect parents to pick them up ASAP. Staff members are not allowed to give medication. If a child has been sick we ask parents to keep them at home for 24 hours after the last fever, vomiting, diarrhea.
With COVID-19 we take extra care to ensure that all children and staff who are at school are in good health and have no symptoms of sickness. We follow strictly all Bulgarian government requirements and special measures for preschools. Read our Health and Sickness Policy and our COVID-19 policy for more details. (Link to Documents and Policies page)
The ICCC Board of Parents consists of usually five elected members, who are parents of children currently attending ICCC. Board members are elected at the Annual General meeting each October. They work closely with ICCC Director and staff, and are ultimately responsible for the policy and decision making at ICCC.