Nature-based, English-intensive preschool in Bahçeşehir · Ages 2–6

Children can join us from age 2, and our classes cover ages 2 to 6.

We group children by age and developmental stage:

• Tiny Caterpillars (ages 2–3)
• Caterpillars (ages 3–4)
• Cocoons (ages 4–5)
• Butterflies (ages 5–6)

The journey from caterpillar to butterfly reflects how we see childhood: every child grows at their own pace and moves naturally to the next stage. During your introductory visit, we will help you find the right group for your child.

Our education rests on a four-layer curriculum in which each layer strengthens the others.

• Foundation: The Turkish Ministry of Education’s Türkiye Century Education Model frames all of our planning.
• Language: English is part of everyday activities; our English teachers are part of the day from start to finish.
• Science and discovery: With the UC Berkeley–developed GEMS programme, children enjoy playful, inquiry-based experiences in science and mathematics.
• Educational approaches: We draw on Montessori (prepared environment and independence), Reggio Emilia (documentation that makes learning visible), and Forest School (discovery in nature).

These approaches complement each other throughout the child’s day.

We don’t cap English at weekly lesson hours — our English teachers are part of the day from start to finish.

• Tiny Caterpillars (ages 2–3) and Caterpillars (ages 3–4): Children spend the entire day with their English teachers alongside their class teachers, acquiring the language naturally through play and daily routines.
• Cocoons (ages 4–5) and Butterflies (ages 5–6): English teachers accompany activities for most of the day; children also work only with their English teachers, strengthening their active speaking skills.

To protect children’s expressive strength in their mother tongue and their cultural roots, most of our specialist classes are held in Turkish.

Our teaching day runs from 09:00, when we begin with breakfast, until 16:00 — and early drop-off is available from 07:30.

Our doors open at 07:15 and we welcome early arrivals from 07:30 onwards. Until the class teachers arrive, children start their day safely in the care of our duty teacher.

After the programme ends at 16:00, supervised free-play time continues with the duty teacher for our working parents — so you can pick up your child after work with complete peace of mind.

Our security infrastructure is built on professional systems and monitored around the clock.

• Alarm system: We redesigned our security infrastructure from the ground up with Securitas, completing the full renewal in December 2025; the system is monitored 24/7 by the alarm-monitoring centre.
• Panic buttons: Buttons placed at various points around the school add a further layer of protection.
• Fire safety: Every room, large or small, has smoke detectors; the kitchen, boiler room and rooms on that floor also carry gas detectors; each floor has emergency call points and fire sirens. The fire-detection system is likewise monitored 24/7.

An anaokulu comes under the Ministry of National Education and follows the preschool education programme. Kreş and gündüz bakımevi settings come under the Ministry of Family and Social Services and focus more on care. People often use these terms interchangeably in everyday conversation, but the ministry responsible for a setting determines its programme and how it is inspected. Sun Anaokulu is an anaokulu, or preschool. You can read more in our guide to preschool, nursery and day care in Türkiye.