Little Oaks

Grades 000-R – The Journey Begins

The Child

• natural, spontaneous and curious
• refreshing individuality
• learns through play

The Needs

• love, warmth, honesty and strength
• a stimulating, fun and secure environment
• fantasy
• first hand sensory experiences of the world

The Skills

• ability to perform a task or activity
• communicating listening and relating
• creating, thinking and doing
• sharing, caring and fair play

Excitement, enthusiasm and love of learning thrives at Little Oaks (Grades 000, 00, R). Dedicated teachers stimulate natural curiosity as the children embark on their voyage of discovery.

Here the focus is on creative learning through play. Based on the integrated day educational programme, self-selection of activities is encouraged whilst ensuring sufficient structure for the young childs sense of security. After a morning ring, children can choose freely from art and craft activities, construction toys, educational games, puzzles, books, listening corner, house corner, fantasy play and outdoor play climbing, sliding, swinging, digging and building. Each child is given individual guidance and encouragement.

From Grade 00 pre-reading, pre-writing and pre-maths skills are developed to ensure school readiness. The children are introduced to THRASS, a phonic/reading programme. Copying and experimentation with many different writing materials develop fine-motor and eye-hand co-ordination. Pre-maths activities encourage numeracy skills including number recognition, number concept, time, shape, conservation and measuring. The children experiment, discover and problem solve in an informal way both indoors and outdoors – often with sand and water!

The Grade R’s utilise the Information Technology Centre, learning basic computer skills through educational computer games. The children enjoy frequent outings, that enrich and broaden their horizons. Physical education classes given by a trained instructor, encourage gross-motor development and introduce rudimentary ball skills. Movement and dance classes further enhance physical co-ordination. Music and singing are very important in the pre-primary programme, encouraging concentration, participation and co-operation in a most enjoyable way.

We believe that in Grades 000, 00 and R children learn best when they are playing, when they are actively involved in making their own discoveries, when they are relaxed and having fun, when they are healthy and safe, when they are encouraged in their creativity and when they are talking and interacting with others.

We believe that a child’s school day must be balanced learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work everyday some.
- R Fulghum