The Primary Years Programme is a comprehensive, structured, inquiry based learning model by which teachers create units of inquiry that are relevant, significant, engaging, and challenging. Additionally, teachers create units of inquiry that encourage learners to construct meaning by asking three interrelated questions: What do we want to learn?; How best do we learn?; and How will we know what we have learned?

"The aim is to develop to their fullest potential the powers of each individual to understand, to modify and to enjoy his or her environment, both inner and outer, in its physical, social, moral, aesthetic and spiritual aspects."

The written curriculum incorporates five essential elements.