Pre Primary Class
Overview
The Pre-primary Class
Age 3- 6 years
There are three groups each with 12 pupils: 1 teacher and shared assistant.
After age three, children become ready for a broader range of friendships and interactions and are comfortable away from home.
Montessori called this phase ‘The Absorbent Mind,’ noting children’s ability to quickly absorb information. In recognition of this, our indoor and outdoor learning spaces encourage curiosity and exploration. Language and learning rapidly develop through interaction with teachers, the Montessori equipment and learning environment.
Preparation for Grade One: Montessori’s Distinct Advantage
The Montessori pre-school curriculum for ages 3 to 6 fulfils all the requirements of the National Curriculum for Grade R, using a child-centered approach. Unlike mainstream Grade R, the Montessori approach focuses on individual abilities, interests, and learning pace, supporting personal growth and readiness for Grade One.
Children participate in hands-on lessons in literacy and numeracy with enrichment from science experiments, nature study, drama, art, music, coding, and robotics, chess, core and ball sessions, and isiZulu. These varied experiences foster academic, creative, social, and motor skills, preparing children both emotionally and intellectually for future schooling.
By the age of six, Montessori pupils are independent, communicative, and creative thinkers. The curriculum nurtures a lifelong love of learning and equips children with essential skills to succeed in Grade One and the exciting years ahead.
Settling-in and Feedback to Parents
When settling new pupils, we offer staggered starting dates so that each child can be lovingly eased into their new routine. The small group size ensures plenty of individual attention. Feedback is given through parent meetings, written reports and classroom observations. We use the secure, POPIA compliant, interactive ”ChildCloud” app for all school communication.
Our teaching team are experienced in identifying areas of difficulty in all areas of development and will guide parents in making appropriate referrals to well trusted specialists. We adopt a team approach with specialists in order to offer full school-based support and guidance on home-based support.
Daily Activities
Montessori Activities of Everyday Living
Teach children skills for independent living (dressing, personal hygiene and care, food preparation, cleaning, gardening and classroom skills.) The activities also assist in the development of fine motor control and concentration.
The Sensorial Materials
Provide opportunities for the systematic refinement of the child’s five senses, through matching, grading and building with materials unique to the Montessori curriculum. Focus is given to shape, dimension, colour, pattern, textures and sounds. Concentration and problem solving skills are developed, leading to intellectual development and divergent thinking.
The Language Materials
We promote a love of books and reading. Language skills are enriched: vocabulary, conversation and comprehension are developed through daily circle time discussions, project lesson and story time. The phonic approach is used very effectively, for the teaching of reading and spelling. Work with the Montessori materials develops the fine motor control and directionality required for handwriting. Practice with the iconic Montessori sandpaper letters help the child to achieve neatly formed and evenly spaced letters.
The Mathematics Materials
Building on the skills learned from the sensorial materials, the children establish a concrete understanding of quantities and numerals, seriation and one to one correspondence; all essential foundational maths skills. They quickly and confidently move on to problem solving with a variety of activities, leading towards an understanding of abstract concepts and confidence in mental maths. An appreciation of the use of maths in daily life is developed; sorting, weighing and measuring, telling the time, tallying and handling data are all integrated into our project work.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
We aim to follow the child’s curiosity and answer the ‘why?’ questions, fuelling the desire for further learning. We teach the children about the world, its geography, people, cultures, religions, history, nature and science. Project work is integrated across the curriculum and often includes nature walks, experiments and outings. International and local awareness days and events are celebrated throughout the year with favourites being; World Recycling Day, our ‘Party for the Planet’ to mark World Environment Day, Water Week, Mandela Day, Arbor Week, World Rhino Day, and Heritage Day.
Visual Art
Painting, collage, cutting and sticking are freely chosen. We also introduce a wide variety of media and techniques through art activities relating to termly projects. ‘Up-cycling’ is part and parcel of our creative work. Our annual art exhibition provides a great opportunity to showcase creations.
Speech & Drama
These weekly lessons, taught by our school drama teacher, the very vibrant professional actor, Cara Roberts. Through having fun, playing team games, acting out scenes and learning poems, the expression of emotions and confidence are developed.
Music
Our weekly music lessons are taught by our qualified and experienced music teacher and performer, Nkosi Shem, making a huge contribution to the all-round development of the children. Our annual Music and Drama concerts are not to be missed!
PE
Each group has a weekly PE lesson that incorporates balance, stretching, core strength, ball skills and all gross motor movements. Our annual sports day gives experience in participation and the development of self-confidence. Extra-mural activities, taking place after school hours, further support what we offer during the school morning.
Extra Mural Activities
We used well established and trusted providers. These activities take place straight after school in order not to disrupt our teaching time:
Monkeynastix
Football Factorie
Glide and Ride
Yoga
Break Dance from Grade R Upwards
Environmental Projects
We received our ‘Eco-School’ Diamond Decade award in 2016, and continue our environmental work at the school with great passion. At Ocean View, wildlife activities, recycling and gardening are an integral part of our curriculum. We have developed a community food garden which is tended by all pupils who grow fruit and vegetables to share in the community. Termly activities are structured around environmental and community related needs to promote awareness among children and their families.
isiZulu
Greetings, vocabulary, and phrases are introduced through stories, songs, and games. Children have a weekly session with Inkosikazi Mungwe from Grade 00 upwards.
Chess
The skills taught through the game of chess go far beyond the board. Including chess in our curriculum from Grade R provides an excellent foundation in strategic thinking and problem solving, gives children experience of winning and losing fairly and provides an avenue for competition in local tournaments in the Primary phase.
Hours
Children may be dropped off from 7.15 am and collected at 12.45 pm. Aftercare is available until 17:00. Holiday club is available for part of every holiday.
Daily Requirements
Parents are to provide a healthy snack, water to drink, and extra lunch for aftercare, along with a change of clothes. School sun hats are used for outdoor play and suncream is reapplied throughout the day as needed.
Our school drinking water is filtered, so bottles can be topped up throughout the day.
