Curro Rosen Castle is a preschool in Rosenpark, Bellville, that provides high-quality early childhood development for children from 3 months to Grade R. 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 preschool programme centres around the internationally-acclaimed Curiosity Approach, which allows children to discover areas that naturally interests them, while our Grade R learners are prepared for the formal learning that starts in Grade 1.

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

Our children 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 other school in the group. Such nearby preschools include Curro Durbanville and Curro Brackenfell, with Curro Academy Sandown, Meridian Pinehurst and Curro Century City further away.

All about the Curiosity Approach

The Curiosity Approach focuses on letting children follow their inherent interests and curiosity to develop their natural strengths. However, our teachers still guide them through other areas of development to ensure that they are exposed to all areas of development.

When entering the classroom, children are drawn to different themed stations of play that our teachers design to cover a wide range of interests. Children can explore as they wish, while teachers guide them around to ensure that they still gain exposure to a multitude of skills and interests.

Most tables and chairs are removed from our classrooms, and are replaced with furniture made from natural materials. Even the classroom environment itself contributes to the sensory-rich atmosphere by having natural, soothing colours, rather than bright colours that often overstimulate young minds.

Our teachers still monitor your child’s progress, to ensure that they get the holistic development they need to truly understand all areas learned in class.

This method involves aspects of the Regio Emilia, Montessori, and several other methods of early childhood development. Though this philosophy might seem modern and new, it actually uses age-old techniques that focus on the wonders and importance of letting young children play and just be kids.

Grade R at our school

The step between preschool and primary school can be challenging. That is why we accommodate Grade R learners in our preschool. As part of the Curro school group, we start to prepare them for the formal learning that starts in Grade 1, by having a more structured programme and introducing them to the formal subjects of foundation phase. However, they still have time and space to enjoy running and playing in our lovely outdoor play areas.

Activities your child can enjoy

Our daily preschool programme is packed with a variety of physical and cognitive activities where children play while they learn. These include specialised activities such as Little Leaders, Playball, swimming and more.

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 Rosenpark, Bellville, our 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.