Curro Nelspruit has a preschool in Sonheuwel (The Rest Nature Estate), that provides high-quality early childhood development for children from 4 months to 5 years. Our classes are divided by age, and we carefully control the number of children per class to ensure that they are all cared for and entertained. Our internally developed preschool programme engages inherent curiosity and love of play, while supporting their well-being all-round. We also have a half-day and full-day option, and breakfast and lunch are included in our school fees.

Get an overview of everything we can offer you on our fact sheet.

Why is it best for children to learn through play?

Children learn by discovering the world around them – and anything learned while playing at a young age is remembered much faster and more efficiently compared to anything learned while sitting at a table in a forced learning environment.

As part of the Curro school group, our children enjoy a programme that supports their physical, social, emotional and cognitive well-being. This approach to early childhood development is built around learning and developing through play rather than strict milestones. This means that children feel supported and encouraged instead of anxious and pressured to develop at someone else’s pace.

Learning during childhood starts with babies exploring their touch and taste sense while playing with squishy pasta, jelly, and other texture-rich objects. Later on, young toddlers learn the basics of mathematics by playing with building blocks, balls, manipulating objects around their bodies, and other ways. Older toddlers learn the basics of writing and reading with comprehension by drawing, painting, singing, and generally discovering objects that centre around a specific theme.

Here are some examples of the areas that are developed by learning through play:

• Mathematics: shapes, size, time, counting, adding, subtracting
• Communication: speech, listening, reading, understanding
• Creativity: drawing, painting, correct pinching of a pencil, dancing
• Physical well-being: balance, movement, safety
• Identity and belonging: personality, morals, caring, friendship, sharing

As part of the Curro school group, children enjoy preference when applying to us from any school in the group. Such a nearby school with a preschool phase is Curro Academy Mbombela, as well as Meridian Karino which has a primary school phase.

A daily routine

Our preschool programme is presented through a daily routine that focuses on letting children learn by having lots of fun within a framework. The schedule creates space for creative activities, running and playing, singing and dancing, and so much more! This also provides children with stability and a sense of safety.

See what we offer on our fact sheet.

How big are the classes

Children need lots of attention and nurturing. That is why our classes are divided by age, and we carefully control the number of children in each class to no more than 10 to 23, based on age. As part of the Curro school group, our teachers also have one or more assistants, depending on the age group and number of children in the class. By balancing the number of children and teachers in class, your child can get the individual care and attention they need to flourish and feel loved.

We encourage loose-parts play

The development of curiosity and imagination in early childhood is vitally important to the development of problem-solving skills and critical thinking later on. Therefore, as part of our excellent preschool programme, we encourage playing with loose-parts and multi-purpose playthings rather than single-purpose toys that don’t involve much imagination. Through loose-parts play, our children learn to use their natural curiosity to explore previously undiscovered fascinations such as stacking, rolling, sliding, fitting, colours, and more.

Activities your child can enjoy

Our daily programme is packed with a variety of physical and cognitive activities where children play while they learn. We also offer additional, optional extramural activities as additional opportunities to strengthen focused areas or hone certain skills. Our extramural activities are offered by external tutors or coaches at an additional cost and take place on the school’s premises.

As a preschool in Sonheuwel (The Rest Nature Estate), these extramural activities are tailored to the interests of you and your family. This ensures that your child can grow and excel in areas that they truly enjoy. Your child is sure to find something that will pique their interest.

See which activities we offer on our fact sheet.