Celebrating Our Global Community: International Day at Annabel’s Early Years

At Annabel’s Early Years, we believe that childhood is a time for exploration, wonder, and connection, a time when little hearts and minds discover not only their own identity but also the beauty of the world around them.

Each year, our school community comes together to celebrate this shared journey through one of the most meaningful events on our calendar - International Day.

This year’s celebration was one of our most joyful yet. The garden at Annabel’s burst into life with colour, music, and laughter as children, teachers, and families joined hands to honour the rich tapestry of cultures that make our community so special. From the first notes of the morning parade to the final cheerful goodbyes, the entire day reflected what Annabel’s stands for, a nurturing, creative, and inclusive environment where children grow. 🌿

A Celebration of Diversity and Discovery

With more than 95% of our children coming from international families, Annabel’s is a true reflection of the global spirit that defines modern early education. Children from Thailand, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, Israel, Australia, South Africa, China, Maldives and many other countries brought their cultures to life through music, art, food, and play.

Our classrooms and garden transformed into a vibrant mini-world of discovery. Flags fluttered, traditional costumes shimmered in the morning sun, and the air was filled with excitement as children proudly represented their heritage. For many, it was their first time performing in front of an audience, and the confidence and joy on their faces were nothing short of inspiring.

This celebration was more than just a fun day, it was an extension of our British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, where understanding the world and celebrating similarities and differences are key learning goals. Through events like these, children learn empathy, curiosity, and appreciation for diversity; values that stay with them for life.

Creativity at the Heart of Learning

To enrich the learning journey for all our children, the weeks leading up to International Day every classroom at Annabel’s was filled with creative energy and curiosity, as students ventured into a variety of engaging topics that helped them connect with the wider world. Each class chose a focus area based on the children’s interests. Our youngest learners took a sensory journey around the globe through culinary experiences, discovering different ingredients and tasting dishes from far and wide. In K1 (3–4 years old), one class crafted their own games and puppets, inspired by the classic Italian tale of Pinocchio, Thai shadow puppets, and traditional games from across the world.

Meanwhile, the other K1 class brought pieces of their home life into school, even building an impressive 3D condominium out of cardboard boxes.

One of our K2 classes (4–5 years old) added a sweet touch to their learning, whipping up treats, creating imaginative desserts, and even drawing themselves as their favourite confections. The other K2 class immersed themselves in the animal kingdom, learning about different habitats and the creatures that live within them.

Our oldest children became young architects, appreciating the unique beauty of buildings from different cultures. They learned to sketch structures and collaborated to design architectural creations of their own.

Parents arriving on International Day were welcomed by these vibrant displays of children’s work in our school lobby. These creations - colourful murals, imaginative crafts, and expressive artwork -told powerful stories of identity and belonging.

More than just a celebration of creativity, the display reflected our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, where documentation plays a vital role. By capturing the learning process through photos, drawings, and reflections, we make children’s thinking visible and meaningful. It’s a way to honour their ideas, spark conversations, and connect families to their child’s learning journey.

The results were truly heartwarming evidence of how art helps children make sense of their world.

The Joy of Performance

The morning began with our much-anticipated Parade of Nations, where children dressed in traditional attire walked hand-in-hand with their teachers and friends. Proud parents cheered and  cameras clicked, and the sounds of cheerful music filled the air. It was a moment of unity that captured what Annabel’s is all about,  a family of many cultures coming together in joy and celebration.

Each class also prepared a special performance,  from songs and dances  and action rhymes. The children’s confidence and enthusiasm were infectious, reminding us all of how capable and expressive young learners can be when given encouragement and love.

Behind every performance was careful preparation by our dedicated teachers and support staff, who worked tirelessly to rehearse, guide, and build the children’s confidence. Their creativity, patience, and teamwork made each performance shine.

Parents as Partners in Learning

One of the most special aspects of Annabel’s is the close partnership between parents and educators.

This year’s International Day saw families go above and beyond in preparing engaging, hands-on cultural experiences for the children.

Our garden became a world market of discovery and each family booth represented a different country and offered a variety of interactive activities, art projects, or tasting experiences. Children decorated Kabutos at the Japanese booth, rolled and shaped pretzels from playdough at the German “Bäckerei,” painted parrotfish from Maldives, tried on cultural accessories, and explored sensory materials from around the globe.

The laughter of children mixed with the aroma of international cuisine created a truly magical atmosphere. Every booth reflected the creativity, warmth, and pride of our parents  and we are deeply grateful for the time, effort, and love they poured into this event.

The Power of Teamwork: Celebrating Our Staff

While International Day is a joyful community event, its success is built on the dedication of our incredible Annabel’s team. From classroom teachers and assistants to the operations, admin, and maintenance teams, every member played an essential part in making the day possible.

Weeks of preparation went into planning performances, coordinating logistics, creating decorations, and ensuring that every child felt supported and proud.

Our kitchen staff prepared delicious snacks, our maintenance team transformed the garden overnight, and our teachers led with passion and purpose and all united by a shared vision of providing the best early years experience in Bangkok.

Our commitment to excellence is one of the reasons why Annabel’s Early Years continues to be recognised as an international award-winning nursery and proud recipient of the NDNA (National Day Nurseries Association) Platinum Quality Award - the highest accreditation awarded by the UK’s leading early childhood organisation.

This distinction reflects not only our outstanding teaching and learning environment but also the love, care, and professionalism that our staff bring to every interaction, every activity, and every child.

Award-Winning Excellence in Early Years Education

Being recognised with the NDNA Platinum Quality Award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to high standards in early childhood education.

It acknowledges our dedication to child-centred learning, staff development, safety, and parent partnership and all the values that shine through in events like International Day.

As one of the best early years schools in Bangkok, Annabel’s continues to set the benchmark for excellence.

Our nature-filled campus, highly qualified teachers, and Reggio-inspired learning environment create a setting where children are encouraged to think, question, create, and grow at their own pace.

We are proud to be an internationally recognised, award-winning school,  but what makes us truly special is our community. Families, teachers, and children come together not just to learn but to build relationships, share stories, and celebrate the world in all its beautiful diversity.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

At Annabel’s, every event is seen as an extension of learning. International Day, for example, provides opportunities for children to practise communication, develop confidence, and understand new concepts in meaningful, hands-on ways.

When children prepare songs, or engage in cultural crafts, they’re not only learning about geography or art, they are developing fine motor skills, building self-esteem, and forming connections between ideas.

Our teachers carefully weave these experiences into the EYFS framework, ensuring that children meet developmental milestones through play and discovery. Whether exploring the sounds of new languages, tasting unfamiliar foods, or dancing to global rhythms, our learners are building the foundations of global citizenship all within the joyful setting of our award-winning Early Years.

A Community That Cares

Perhaps the most heartwarming part of International Day is seeing the relationships that make Annabel’s feel like a home away from home.

Parents chatting about their booth set ups, children proudly showing their creations, teachers cheering on their little performers. These are the moments that remind us why community matters so deeply in early childhood education.

Our open-door culture and genuine partnerships with families ensure that every child’s voice is heard and valued. We believe that when children feel seen and supported, they flourish and this spirit of belonging is what truly sets Annabel’s Early Years apart.

Looking Ahead: Continuing Our Journey Together

International Day is just one of many ways we celebrate learning, diversity, and community throughout the year. From Cheese & Wine Evenings to Art Auctions, Playgroups, various Holiday celebrations like Loy Krathong, Christmas and Lunar New Year to Annabel’s Market and many others, each event strengthens the bonds that make Annabel’s more than a school but it’s a family.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to providing the highest quality early years education in Bangkok,  guided by our philosophy of nurturing creativity, independence, and a love for learning.

Our aim is not just to prepare children for school, but to give them the confidence and curiosity to thrive wherever life takes them.

Gratitude and Reflection

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made International Day such a success:

• To our wonderful parents, for your time, creativity, and enthusiasm;

• To our dedicated teachers and staff, for your passion and teamwork;

• And to our amazing children, whose smiles and laughter remind us daily of why we do what we do.

You have all helped make Annabel’s a shining example of what early years education can be,  joyful, meaningful, and inclusive.

Our NDNA Platinum Award and recognition as one of the best international Early Years Schools in Bangkok are achievements we share with every member of our community.

Together, we continue to uphold the values of love, respect, and excellence that define Annabel’s Early Years, a place “where children grow.” 🌿

Join Our Award-Winning Community

If you are a parent seeking a nurturing, creative, and internationally recognised Early Years School in Bangkok, we invite you to visit Annabel’s and experience the magic for yourself.

Come see our nature-filled classrooms, meet our dedicated teachers, and discover why families from all over the world choose Annabel’s,  Bangkok’s international award-winning Early Years School.

For admissions and enquiries, please contact us at annabels@annabels.ac.th

Annabel’s Early Years - Where children grow. 🌿