Our Grade R facility had its humble beginnings in the foyer of our school hall with about 23 learners taught by Mrs Nena Meth assisted by Nomvuyo Shweni.
In the following year we expanded our facility to 2 classes, one housed in the kitchen and the other in the foyer for about 2 weeks. The classes then moved to the premises across the road from the school. 2 classrooms and the grounds were set up to cater for about 50 learners. The school hired one more assistant.
About 2 years later the education department provided a fully equipped mobile classroom. Last year the facility was renovated and a new classroom with more space was created.
Grade R forms part of the foundation phase and the CAPS curriculum is followed
Each day is planned so that there are numerous opportunities for individual attention and for participation in group activities. The learning experiences are presented through thematic teaching throughout the year.
The Grade R programme
Play-based and holistic, encouraging the development of pre-literacy, pre-numeracy, life skills, creativity and critical thinking and reasoning.
There is a balance between indoor and outdoor activities with strong emphasis on fine motor and gross motor co-ordination. The children engage in many activities that develop and enhance perceptual development.
Letter recognition is introduced in Grade R as part of the pre-literacy programme which provides rich language stimulation daily, through stories, rhymes, discussions, creation of stories, telling news etc. By the end of the year, many learners are able to recognise all alphabetical sounds and simple words.
The mathematical Programme introduces numeracy concepts in Grade R and the learners are actively involved in their own discoveries, working largely with concrete objects. The teachers make every effort to ensure that the children learn the correct skills, values and attitudes to ensure success.