Blog Post

How to choose Pre-Primary School

Barbara Eaton (Academic Development Coordinator of ADvTECH Pre-Primary Schools) • May 24, 2019

Choosing a school for your little one should not be a last minute, hasty decision. Start looking at least three months before you need to enter your child, if you are looking to place a baby. If you want your child to join a good school when they turn three, you should start looking at birth. This may seem ludicrous but the top Pre-Primary schools have waiting lists several years long!

The first decision is whether to place your child in a school near home or near your place of work. Small children suffer from many little illnesses and most schools want a sick child to go home as soon as possible. Choose a school that is close enough for someone to fetch them promptly if they fall ill. No matter how loving the care at school, a sick child just wants the comfort of home.

Choose a school whose hours suit your schedule. If the school closes at 5.30pm, you must be able to reach it with time to spare, regardless of the traffic. Does the school open early enough for you to get to work? You cannot leave a small child outside the gate and assume that someone will take responsibility!

There are so many places of care to choose from at the moment that you may be bewildered by the choice. Take the time to visit the school unannounced. Check the security first, it should not be possible for you just to drive in. Are there cameras at the door and an entrance procedure? Next, how are you greeted and dealt with by the receptionist? This should be efficient, friendly and with an offer to show you the school, either then or by appointment. An appointment does not mean they have anything to hide; good schools have to allocate time and staff to deal with parents effectively. Is the reception clutter free and efficiently run? Are the admittance forms neatly printed and requesting sufficient background detail on your child?

When you look around, watch the children. Under-fives should be playing freely and busily with clean, unbroken toys that are well displayed to enable choice, or engaged in activities that are stimulating creativity or enhancing number or literacy skills. There should be no worksheets or cloned art work. Is the classroom clean and attractive, with good natural light and ventilation? Is there sufficient space for the children? Crowded rooms lead to fights and stress. Has the teacher (who should be SACE registered) an assistant to manage bathroom visits, messes and to support play? Is there evidence of an overall theme that the children are investigating? Are there good quality books in a comfy spot for reading? Are the carpets and floors clean? Beware of schools that are too tidy and immaculate as this could mean that the equipment is for display, not the children’s use. Children should be aware of your presence but not clamouring for your attention.

What is your language policy for your child? If they are to attend Primary school in a specific language, they will be at an advantage if their early years are spent in the same language. This does not mean that you should forsake your home language. Bi-lingual children have a cognitive advantage, but do not confuse your child by subjecting him/her to a constant mixture of languages. Choose a school that will help your child enter grade 1 with a strong vocabulary and comprehension, as well as an ability to engage in their intellectual education with understanding.

What do you require in the way of meals? Not all schools serve breakfast, lunch and snacks and the price should reflect what is provided. Check out the kitchen, the kitchen staff and the certificates from the local authority indicating that the school is licenced to provide meals. Look at the menus. Is there sufficient variety and fresh fruit and vegetables? Ask about who feeds the little ones and how meals are conducted for the older ones. Are the children forced to eat their meals? Can the school cater for genuine allergies, (Not fussy eaters!)

If your child is still a baby, check the policies on formulas, nappies, wet wipes etc. If the school supplies everything, it may be a little more expensive but well worth your while in terms of convenience. Look at the nappy changing areas, where everything should be neatly labelled and the area safe and well ventilated, with proper disposal facilities. Potty training areas should be bright and welcoming, with small toilets for children aged two plus.

Are the baby rooms warm enough for the babies to play and crawl on the floor and not be kept in a cot all day. Who provides the cot linen and how often is it washed? There should be a nursing sister available for very young babies, as well as well-trained carers who will talk to and stimulate your child.

The outdoor area should have grass, sand, water, shade and wheeled toys, as well as safe climbing and swinging equipment, appropriate for the different age groups. Children are stimulated by their environment so the garden should be attractive, bright and well supervised. Gross motor development underlies all other development at this age so there should be a minimum of an hour per morning and afternoon set aside for active, outdoor play.

Last but not least, the atmosphere of the school should be welcoming and child friendly. Do not be swayed by the latest technological devices and lessons if the staff seem aloof and uncaring. With proper research your child should be happy and well stimulated in the chosen environment until it is time for Big School.

More Than Child’s Play: The Sensational World of Sensory Exploration

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From birth through to early childhood, children use their senses to explore and try to make  sense of the world around them.

The Importance of Self-Regulation in Children

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Parenting is a challenging journey, especially when it comes to children of any age. Just when you think you have the answers, the questions change. Like us, children sometimes struggle with regulating their emotions, leading to meltdowns and difficulties in problem-solving.

Foster Healthy Brain Development: Connect with Your Child.

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The benefits of imaginative play

By Jo-Ann Rowe • 12 Jan, 2023
Not only is this a fun and exciting game to play, but it can benefit a learner in so many aspects of their life, such as fostering creativity, being able to express and act out in a situation, and manipulating different tools into an object such as using a block as a phone. By this, they tap into that creative side of their brain. It promotes physical development: For example, dressing and undressing a baby doll's clothes helps develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. It helps them develop their language and social skills: by conversing with others and expressing themselves while playing a game of Mommy, daddy, and baby. They learn how to have conversations, take turns when talking, ask questions, and make gestures. It also helps them develop their listening skills. This helps them develop problem-solving and self-regulation skills: If there is a situation where children cannot get what they want, for example, they are playing a game, and all the children want to play the role of mommy, they learn to solve the problem and manage their emotions for the game to continue. Role play change is a great way to develop positive behaviour: Swap roles with your children; you be the child and allow them to be the parent in the game. Create a scenario for the child to decide what to do in this situation, for example, getting ready for school and what all needs to happen before going to school. We must make the bed, get dressed, have breakfast, brush our teeth, etc. See how the child reacts in this situation. This is a great way to promote that positive behaviour. Here are a few tips on how to encourage imaginative play Have all sorts of different props for the children to play with. Allow children to explore and play as much as they can. Play lots of dress-up games, and have different outfits for them to dress into to play different roles. Always involve your children in your everyday lives, make them part of your chores and, allow them to help you put the washing in the machine, stand alongside you while you cook or bake. Promote many conversations and help them think creatively, such as bedtime, and let them pretend to sleep in a rocket ship.

Learning difficulties and ways to improve

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READING

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Potty Training your toddler

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Potty training is an important step in childhood development and success comes when you keep your expectations realistic and your attitude positive.

Breastfeeding - A mom's journey

By Nomxolisi Makubalo - Mom of 3 Junior Colleges Snuggles • 06 Aug, 2021
After giving birth to my three healthy boys, breastfeeding is high up on my list of the best experiences of being a mom. Between a demanding career, running a household, and wearing many other hats (as we do as women), putting the phone away and bonding with my newborn during a feed is as soothing for me as it is with him—breastmilk filled with wholesome goodness. The initial milk that a woman produces during pregnancy and during the first few days after giving birth is liquid gold. It is full of antibodies, is high in protein, and contains fat-soluble vitamins and antioxidants. Even a small amount can hold off your baby's hunger, and let's not forget the natural laxative properties that will assist the baby with its first stool. Even if you are not planning to breastfeed long-term, experts advise that you give the baby colostrum those first few days as no formula can mimic the biologically active substances found in this liquid. The milk has also been found to have the best protection for preemies against potentially fatal conditions, the oxytocin produced in your baby's body when they breastfeed helps them to sleep better, and a recent study showed that toddlers who had been exclusively breastfed for at least three months, had brains with 20 to 30% more white matter microstructure, especially in parts of the brain associated with language, emotional regulation, and cognition than those with no breastmilk. It is no surprise that more than 100 countries celebrate World Breastfeeding Week in the first week of August. While breastfeeding is not without its challenges, once the milk is flowing, its rewards are endless. We cannot forget the fuel that makes the milk possible. The exact amount of care you took to eat well, keep active, and take supplements during pregnancy should not end there. Doctors recommend that you continue to take your supplements for at least the following six months. Supplementing is vital as you will need all your energy for this, often physically taxing, journey. If you're like me and your milk production is more volatile than steady; you will appreciate my tried and tested list of food items that give my body that extra boost it needs: At least 2.5 liters of water, raspberry tea, rooibos tea, oats, fenugreek and fennel seeds (The tea combination is also great) Finally, some tips to make the journey more memorable: 1.Before the baby is born, have a conversation with your Gynecologist / Obstetrician or Midwife about what is available to assist you to produce milk if your ducts are not immediately ready for baby to feed; 2.Watch as many videos and podcasts on latching techniques as your time allows. Tutorials will make it easier to help both your baby and you to find your rhythm, method, and your distinct comfort level; 3. It may happen that once your baby is born, you may not immediately have nourishment for your baby. Please don't stop nursing; give yourself at least two weeks to assist your body in pushing out the milk. 4. If you will be exclusively breastfeeding, prepare your mind that you will be nursing or expressing for the better half of your day. Prepare the room you will be spending time in as you need to be as relaxed and uncomfortable as possible. If you have an older child, remember to include them in the experience- let them sit with you while you nurse; this is an excellent environment for them to get to know the baby, ask questions, and feel included as they navigate life as an older sibling. 5. Your breasts will hurt, and you will need to soothe them as much as possible. Invest in nipple creams or gels, and sometimes a warm cloth can do the trick. 6. If you express the milk, do so at least every three to four hours to keep the milk production at its peak. Remember that you send signals to your body every time you feed, express to keep producing milk.

The Benefits of breastfeeding

By Tanya Strydom - Nurse • 06 Aug, 2021
Breastmilk provides abundant and easily absorbed nutritional components and live antibodies. A mother’s more mature immune system produces antibodies that enter the milk supply and helps protect the baby from illness. In addition, breast milk contains substances that naturally soothe your baby. After the birth of your baby, both of you will learn how to breastfeed. Be patient and remember there is always help available. Your baby only needs a limited amount of colostrum (a thick, rich fluid the first few days).
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