Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jumbaya?
Jumbaya is a comprehensive, research-backed reading platform with AI-powered assessments, specifically designed for the IB PYP curriculum.

What sets Jumbaya’s programme apart?

• We are on the only research-based ONLINE reading programme for primary schools that includes texts, tools for teachers, and assessment all in one;
• We offer an intuitive AI powered assessment tool that makes assessment quick and objective AND also saves teachers oodles of time so that they can focus on reading instruction and reading with students instead;
• Our learning progression for reading aligns with major international curricula and especially the IB PYP interdisciplinary themes
• Our comprehension moves are designed to place the reader's identity at the centre, honouring and acknowledging the cultural experiences and prior knowledge students bring to reading experiences!
• The curriculum, research, engineering and design teams at Jumbaya are all knowledgeable and passionate about education - ensuring depth and creativity in ALL our offerings!

How was Jumbaya built? What is the origin story?
Let’s just say it started with a passion for reading and evolved into an innovative reading platform designed for IB PYP. It’s a fun story—we’ll share it over coffee! Or a Demo call!

Which curriculum framework does Jumbaya currently align with?
Jumbaya’s reading programme aligns with the IB Primary Years Programme of Inquiry. Our learning progression for reading goes beyond the IB Language Scope and Sequence and draws from Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), Ontario Standards and the National Curriculum in England. 

Why should I choose Jumbaya?
From inception, Jumbaya has been tailored to be aligned with research on reading and the IB PYP and other international curricula. We are familiar with the needs and challenges faced by international schools in literacy learning. At Jumbaya, we create and solve these challenges and go further by giving you tools, catalogues and resources to enhance your reading programme!

Who uses Jumbaya in school?
All of Primary School! With books for students from Nursery to Grade 5, playbooks, guides, toolkits, assessment and more for teachers, access from home for students and parents to read together, resources for social emotional well being for counsellors, data analysis and tracking for leaders, just about all stakeholders in a school can use Jumbaya!

How do I sign up for Jumbaya?
Simply mail us on support@jumbaya.com or fill out the Demo form here.

What kind of support does Jumbaya offer?
From onboarding to ongoing help, we offer live training, tutorials, and a dedicated support team ready to assist!

What’s the fastest way to get in touch with the Jumbaya team?
Email us on support@jumbaya.com for lightning-fast responses.

How secure is Jumbaya?
Completely secure. We take privacy very seriously and we handle your data with utmost care: We are GDPR and COPPA compliant, and use secure servers for all of our data storage. In case you need more details, please check our Privacy Policy page or reach out to us at support@jumbaya.com .

How does Jumbaya’s subscription work?
‍Jumbaya is priced competitively and offers annual billing per classroom. Please ask us for the pricing in your country and latest offers.

What is included with my subscription?
Subscriptions include one year of access to the entire platform for up to 25 students per classroom, a dedicated support team available by chat, and complimentary webinars, videos, and guides to help you get started. You’ll be updated on all upcoming and latest offerings!

Is there an option to get a free trial?
Of course! Reach out, and we’ll offer you a trial so you can explore Jumbaya before committing to subscriptions.

What are the key features of Jumbaya’s Reading Programme?
Jumbaya’s Reading Programme features a consolidated reading progression developed by IB and literacy experts, focusing on phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension as well as AI- powered assessment tools. It includes diverse catalogues with instructional texts, recreational reading, social-emotional learning resources, wordless picture books, and assessment texts, all aligned with IB concepts.

What are the driving principles behind the reading programme?
Readers and the readers’ identity is at the core of the programme. Reading should be a joyful experience that honours cultural knowledge and prior experience. The driving principles behind Jumbaya’s Reading Programme include strong alignment with the IB PYP framework as well as research-based practices that support reading development.

What are the research principles behind Jumbaya assessments?
Jumbaya’s Reading Programme is grounded in empirically-based models of skilled reading, including the Simple View of Reading, Scarborough's Reading Rope and the Active View of Reading. Jumbaya’s assessments emphasise a comprehensive approach to literacy that focuses on phonics progression, vocabulary development, fluency, and comprehension.

What are Jumbaya’s instructional toolkits? 
Jumbaya’s instructional toolkits provide research-based instructional strategies that support flexible and inclusive practices aligned with IB PYP pedagogy. Not to be seen as lesson plans, these toolkits focus on keeping students at the centre of reading instruction by promoting language comprehension and word recognition as well as real-life applications, critical literacy skills, rich content knowledge, and links to units of inquiry.

What are the Jumbaya text ranges?
Jumbaya's text ranges simplify the selection process for teachers and students, enabling them to make informed choices about their reading material. Within each text range, Jumbaya offers a diverse collection of engaging and developmentally appropriate stories recognising that students read at different paces and have varied interests. This approach ensures that literacy development focuses not only on skill acquisition but also on fostering a lifelong love for reading.

Does Jumbaya have a phonics programme?
Yes. Jumbaya’s phonics programme and learning progression has been created and reviewed by literacy experts to ensure that it aligns with a developmental progression and major curriculum standards across the world. Decodable and non-decodable books support sound-spelling awareness. These are designed to give young readers practise and appropriate challenges as they grow in reading confidence. 

In which languages can I find books on Jumbaya?
Our catalogues are available in English, French, Spanish, Hindi, and Arabic. If you are looking for books in any other language, do let us know and we’ll work on it!

In what formats does Jumbaya offer books?
Jumbaya provides a range of engaging book formats, including interactive books featuring page flips and animations, all beautifully illustrated. Our catalogue includes options for both read-along and read-aloud versions, ensuring an immersive reading experience for everyone!We believe in the benefit of printed books and offer these customised to school needs.

Do books have words highlighted to read along?
Yes! Many of our books include highlighted text to support early readers and those who may need the support, making it easier to follow along and improve reading skills. We also have online dictionaries, accessible on each book via a long click over words.

Do the catalogues provide decodable books?
Yes, we offer decodable books designed to help readers practise phonics and gradually build their decoding skills.

Can students access the books on Jumbaya?
Yes, students can access the entire Recreational Reading catalogue on the Jumbaya student app (currently available on iPad OS), and are free to explore and read whichever book they like! Books from the Instructional Reading, Social Emotional Learning and Wordless Picture Books catalogues, can be accessed once they have been assigned by a teacher to the student.

Can students access the books on Jumbaya at home after school hours and during holidays?
For sure! Students can access the Jumbaya app at home, by using the login credentials that the school shares with parents. Contact your school representative or administrator if you haven’t received the account credentials for using the Jumbaya app at home.