Hi Raz, my DS will be 4 n November. He is in FS1 in British and the equivalent is Pre-KG for the American system. The British system has a more academic approach earlier on so they learn to read etc at an earlier age, but by the time they are 7 or so they can all read and write. The American system is a more 'thinking' approach. The UK system has 13 yrs opposed to the USA 12 years. IBS is an international version that can allow students to be recognised all over. Many of the UK and British schools are also IBS schools - so it is not a curriculum perse, but an international accreditation based on their respective curriculum. I don't know how your child would have a place in KG1 if he is only 4 at the end of September? Normally they should be 4 before 1 Sep - unless Raffles have made an exception? (not uncommon to make exceptions to the age, but in Dubai I thought they were very strict????) If they did, he would probably be the youngest in the class. What country do you come from, or what country are you planning to return to? This could be important because the UK system tends to be a little more advanced in the early years.
Raz, as far as I know, FS1 (British system) is from 3-4yrs old and KG1 (American system) is 4-5yrs old, so not the same. FS1 is the same as pre KG.
Ages above are as at 31 Aug of that year.
Can someone please help me understand the difference between the two. My son will be 4 years old in late September and has been offered a place in KG1 in Raffles and FS1 in a British school. Are the two same or does he save a year by doing KG1 instead of FS1.