Pre-Primary

Our Pre-primary consists of two Mainstream and two Montessori classrooms. Mainstream caters for children from 4-6 years old, while Montessori takes care of children from 3-6 years old.

In the Pre-primary section, the Grade Rs officially start their day at 08:00 while the Pre-Grade Rs start at 08:30 but supervision is available in this area from 07:00. The day finishes at 12:30, from where children can either go to Aftercare until either 14:30, 15:30 or 17:30.

Each class, of no more than 25 children, is overseen by a qualified and experienced teacher who works with an assistant. The planned Pre-primary programme emphasizes the development of skills and values. Independence and co-operation, physical development and dexterity as well as love of learning and enquiry are developed.

A typical week in Pre-primary includes Religious Education classes, a computer lesson for the 5 and 6 year olds, half an hour of conversational Xhosa, music and movement and class swimming in summer.

In the second half of the Grade R year, a developmental assessment (school readiness test) is done with children who are age appropriate for Grade 1 the following year. Written feedback of this assessment is given to parents so that they can assist their child if needs be. During the first two to three weeks of the beginning of Grade 1, a baseline assessment is conducted on all children in order to establish which skills are in place and which need consolidating.

About Montessori
One hundred years ago, when education was little more than rote learning on hard benches, Maria Montessori recognized and studied the individuality of children. She saw the child as a lover of work for whom education should be an active discipline which originates within the child and is not imposed from without. Given an appropriately prepared environment, she saw that children could take delight and find satisfaction in learning.

The Montessori classroom is full of interesting things that draw the child to them.  The directress’s role is to give guidance to the child’s natural curiosity and energy by encouraging her/him to learn by doing.  Each child learns at her/his own pace. No child flounders along trying to keep up, and no child is held back to wait for others. The directress observes each one carefully and introduces new activities and ideas to individuals or small groups as they are ready. The Montessori equipment is designed to allow the children to explore the world at their own pace. Much of the work is self-correcting – the emphasis is not on ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ but on the process of learning and self-development.

This is the philosophy that is followed in the SJM Montessori classroom. Each class accommodates children for a three-year cycle, from 3-6 years, 6-9 years and 9-12 years. Children must start their Montessori education in the Montessori 3 – 6 class, preferably in the first year of the cycle but no later than in the second year. The three-year cycle allows the directress to become involved with each individual and it allows the child to experience the nurtured role of the youngest child, the freedom of the middle child or the responsibility of the oldest. Self-discipline is highly valued – the child is expected to respect others while having respect for her/himself. The Montessori classroom is not unlike a family home where, while each is busy about his/her task. There is mutual respect and accommodation for the interests and capabilities of all.

Montessori classes cover the full WCED curriculum as well as exploring many other areas that children find fascinating.

Montessori Q & A
What is so different about Montessori education?
Maria Montessori said: “Follow the child” and that is what we do. The children are encouraged to think, make decisions, work independently and take responsibility for themselves. The teachers are known as directresses as they guide the children.

What do they learn?
They learn all the skills that are taught in a Mainstream classroom – literacy, numeracy, life skills – but they learn it in a different way. With a range of specialized Montessori educational equipment, the children are able to learn by discovering for themselves.

And if they decide not to learn?
The directresses observe each child with great care. They guide the children to the activities that are relevant to their levels of interest and development. They are enticed into activities that develop self-esteem and give them opportunities to succeed. Before long the child is thirsting for further challenges.

Are there children of different ages in each classroom?
Yes. Children stay in a class with the same teacher for three years. In a Pre-school class there is a group of u\younger children (3 turning 4), a middle group (4 turning 5) and the older group of 5 and 6 year olds. It is like a family where different things are expected of different members, but all share the same home with respect and dignity. Grades 1, 2 and 3 share an environment as do Grades 4, 5 and 6.

What about discipline?
Self-discipline is extremely important in a Montessori classroom. Children respond to trust and responsibility, appreciating the independence that it allows them. The younger children learn from the older ones, just as the new baby learns from his brothers and sisters. Of course, they need to be reminded on occasion and our directresses don’t hesitate to intervene gently but firmly.

How do Montessori children adapt to a regular classroom?
They have learnt the same skills and so academically they adapt easily. Their ability to work independently, thinking through tasks and taking responsibility for themselves allows them to flourish in the new Outcomes Based Education classrooms. They have skills that equip them for life-long learning inside and outside the classroom.

How do I know if my child would benefit from a Montessori education?
Does your child

• ask many questions?
• enjoy discussions and finding out about things?
• like to be busy, to get involved with a task?
• dislike being interrupted when busy with something?
• observe carefully?
• work and play co-operatively?
• like to help you and do things her/himself?

Yes, then your child would love a Montessori environment.

Should you have any more questions, please do come and observe in a Montessori classroom. Each class has an observation chair where you can sit quietly and find out more.

Please contact our Admissions office on (021) 685-6715 to arrange an observation.